Turkish food is full of bold flavors and rich traditions, making it a fun and exciting choice for anyone who loves cooking at home. These 20 must-try Turkish recipes bring a mix of tasty meals, from hearty stews to light and refreshing salads, that can brighten up any table. Whether you're making a quick dinner or planning a special meal for family and friends, these dishes are simple to cook and filled with flavorful ingredients.
Rice Stuffed Courgettes
Kabak Dolması, or Rice-stuffed courgettes, is a traditional dish that brings together fresh zucchini and a flavorful filling made with rice, ground meat, fresh herbs, onions, and spices. This popular Middle Eastern dish is not only tasty but also surprisingly easy to make. It pairs wonderfully with yogurt and is truly worth trying.
To learn more: Kabak Dolması - Rice-Stuffed Zucchini
Doner Kebab
If you want to try some popular and delicious Turkish street food at home, this Doner Kebab Recipe is an excellent choice.
Doner kebab, also known as döner or döner kebap, is a type of meat that is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat, often lamb, chicken, or beef, is marinated with a blend of spices and herbs and then is stacked in an inverted cone shape, slowly rotating next to a heat source. As it cooks, the outer layers are thinly sliced and served with sliced tomatoes, and Sumac Onions in bread, or over Turkish Rice Pilaf.
To learn more: Turkish Doner Kebab Recipe
Manti
Manti (or Mantu) is a delicious and popular Turkish dish made with small, savory, and tender dumplings. The dumplings are typically filled with a juicy and flavorful mixture of meat and spices.
They are traditionally served with tangy garlic yogurt and drizzled with spicy butter sauce, adding even more depth and complexity to this famous Turkish dish.
To learn more: Manti Dumplings - Turkish Ravioli Recipe
Turkish Tel Kadayif
Kadaif Dessert, (or Turkish Tel Kadayif), is a popular and unique Turkish dessert typically served during the holy month of Ramadan. It is made with layers of crispy, shredded filo pastry base filled with a rich and nutty walnut mixture, and then baked until crispy. The dessert is then soaked in a sweet syrup, adding an extra layer of flavor and moisture.
To learn more: Kadaif Dessert - Turkish Tel Kadayif
Cokertme Kebab
Cokertme Kebabi is a traditional Turkish dish consisting of marinated beef strips and thin crispy fries covered with tomato sauce, and yogurt.
This delightful kebab originates from a village in the Milas district of Muğla province and is widely available in restaurants. Same as Orman Kebabi and Tas Kebabi, this special Bodrum Çökertme Kebabı is very easy to make at home with a few fridge ingredients.
To learn more: Cokertme Kebabi
Arnavut Ciğeri
Arnavut Cigeri (or Albanian Liver) is a Turkish Liver dish consisting of pan-fried lamb or veal liver cubes seasoned with chili flakes and served with sumac, onion, and parsley salad.
This simple recipe is extremely easy to prepare and tastes great.
To learn more: Arnavut Cigeri - Turkish Liver
Adana Kebab
Adana Kebab (a.k.a Adana Kebap or Adana Kofte) is a delicious hand-minced meat kebab mounted on a skewer and then grilled over charcoal. This delicious spicy ground lamb kebab is a staple of Turkish street food and can be found on menus around the world.
To learn more: Adana Kebab (Adana Kofte)
Turkish Meatball Soup
Sulu Kofte is a rich and hearty Turkish Meatball Soup / Stew consisting of juicy meatballs and vegetables cooked in a tomatoey broth.
This traditional Turkish meatball dish is full of Mediterranean flavors and extremely easy to make.
To learn more: Sulu Kofte - Turkish Meatball Soup
Icli Kofte
Icli Kofte (some call it Bulgur Kofte) is the Turkish version of the famous Middle Eastern dish called "Kibbeh".
They are made with a combination of ground meat, fine bulgur wheat, and Middle Eastern spices. These savory treats are usually shaped like a football and can be fried, boiled, or baked.
To learn more: Icli Kofte (Turkish Kibbeh)
Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Turkish Cabbage Rolls (a.k.a Lahana Sarmasi or Dolmasi) is a flavourful dish made of cabbage leaves filled with spiced meat&bulgur mixture.
You can prepare these stuffed cabbage rolls ahead and reheat them before serving them to your dinner guests. Perfect dish for entertaining!
To learn more: Turkish Cabbage Rolls - Lahana Sarmasi
Meat Stuffed Aubergines
Karniyarik - Meat Stuffed Aubergines, also known as "split belly" in Turkish, is a popular and delicious dish that originated in the Ottoman Empire. This traditional recipe features tender aubergines stuffed with a savory mixture of minced meat, onions, tomatoes, and spices.
To learn more: Karniyarik - Meat Stuffed Eggplants
Lamb Beyti Kebab
Sarma Lamb Beyti is a traditional Turkish Kebab made with ground lamb seasoned with spices, herbs, and onions, and then wrapped in a yufka or filo pastry.
Same as Lamb Shish Kebab, Cokertme Kebabi, and Shish Tawook (Turkish Chicken Kebab), it is one of the easiest and most delicious kebabs you can make at home.
To learn more: Turkish Sarma Lamb Beyti Kebab
Vegan Stuffed Grape Leaves
Yaprak Sarma (or Yaprak dolma - Yalanci Dolma) is an authentic vegetarian Turkish dish made from Grape Leaves Stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices. It's a popular choice for special occasions and gatherings.
To learn more: Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves
Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofte
Grilled Lamb Kofta (Izgara Kofte in Turkish) is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey made with minced lamb and aromatic spices such as coriander and paprika.
It is extremely easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills.
To learn more: Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte
Lahmacun
Homemade Turkish Lahmacun (or Lahmajun-Lahmajoun) is a super-thin crispy flatbread topped with minced beef or lamb mixed with vegetables, herbs, and spices.
You can find this popular street / fast food everywhere in Turkey, in restaurants, cafes, and fast-food shops.
To learn more: Turkish Lahmacun
Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas
Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas (a.k.a Nohut Yahni or Chickpea Soup) is a traditional Turkish dish made with diced lamb, chickpeas, and pearl onions.
It is an easy, one-pot dish and great comfort food, especially for cold winter days.
To learn more: Turkish Lamb Stew with Chickpeas
Spinach Borek
Spinach Borek (Ispanakli Borek) is a delicious Turkish pastry made of thin flaky dough called "yufka" filled with spinach and onions.
You can add cheese (Spinach and Feta Pie - Ispanakli Peynirli Borek) or mince (Phyllo Meat and Spinach Pie - Egyptian Goulash) to spinach filling for extra flavor and make it even more exciting!
To learn more: Spinach Borek (Ispanakli Borek)
Turkish Pistachio Baklava
My super easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava (Fıstıklı Baklava in Turkish) recipe is perfect for you if you want to learn how to make your homemade version. Baklava is a very popular Turkish sweet dating back to the Ottoman Empire, featuring flaky filo pastry layers, nuts, and syrup.
To learn more: Easy Turkish Pistachio Baklava Recipe
Imam Bayildi
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Aubergine) is a classic Ottoman dish made with aubergines cooked in a generous amount of olive oil and then stuffed with a mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic.
To learn more: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Green Bean Stew
Etli Taze Fasulye Yemegi, or Green Bean Stew with Meat, is a traditional Turkish vegetable stew where fresh green beans and meat are simmered in a simple tomato sauce until tender. This delicious and simple summer dish has been a family favorite in our household for many years.
To learn more: Etli Taze Fasulye - Green Bean Stew with Meat
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