This easy guide to traditional Turkish food recipes is perfect for beginners and will quickly become a favourite in your kitchen. Here you will find classics like kofte, lentil soup, börek, and kebabs, along with fresh salads, breads, and small plates to share. You can also learn how to make creamy hummus, smoky aubergine dip, and fluffy Turkish rice.
There is something for everyone in this collection, from simple breakfasts and quick street foods to hearty stews and sweet treats like baklava. It’s an inviting way to start cooking traditional Turkish food at home with ingredients that are easy to find and steps that are straightforward to follow.
Imam Bayildi
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Aubergines) is one of the most iconic dishes in Turkish cuisine, known for its rich flavours and melt-in-your-mouth texture. This traditional dish features aubergines stuffed with a savoury mixture of onions, tomatoes, and garlic, all simmered in generous amounts of olive oil.
To learn more: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Red Lentil Soup
Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Kirmizi Mercimek Corbasi in Turkish) is a light, nutritious, and comforting soup made with red lentils, vegetables, spices, and stock.
This extremely delicious & creamy soup is super easy to make, and ready in just 30 minutes, perfect dish for a busy weeknight dinner!
To learn more: Turkish Red Lentil Soup - Kirmizi Mercimek Corbasi
Kadaif Dessert
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
Kofte - Turkish Meatballs
This spicy Homemade Kofte (Turkish Meatballs) recipe is extremely easy to make and full of flavor.
You can serve them as an appetizer on their own or as a main meal along with some Crispy Sauté Potatoes or Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav).
They are soft, juicy, and extremely delicious, the perfect comfort food to feed your family.
To learn more: Homemade Kofte (Turkish Meatballs)
Islim Kebabi
Aubergine Meatball Wraps (Islim Kebabi or Kurdan Kebabi) are one of those traditional Turkish dishes mainly known and loved by regular households in Turkey. It is not a landmark dish widely representing Turkish cuisine abroad such as Lamb Shish Kebab.
However, it is an oriental dish that is an extremely flavorful and delicious combination of meat and vegetables.
To learn more: Aubergine Meatball Wraps (Islim Kebabi)
Yaprak Sarma
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
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
Sigara Boregi
Sigara Boregi (Turkish Cheese Rolls) are crispy Turkish appetisers/snacks made with thin and flaky filo sheets called "yufka", filled with feta cheese, and then shallow-fried for extra crispness. They are easy to prepare and are the perfect "make-ahead" finger food for parties.
To learn more: Sigara Boregi (Turkish Cheese Rolls)
Chicken Shish Kebab
Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab, also known as Tavuk Sis, is a popular Turkish dish made of chicken pieces marinated in olive oil, milk, tomato & pepper paste, and aromatic spices.
They are ready in just 25 minutes, plus the marinating time.
To learn more: Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab
Turkish Delight
This homemade Elderflower Turkish Delight (Lokum) is a fun, modern twist on a classic Ottoman treat. It's incredibly easy to make, and you don't need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. Not a fan of elderflower? No worries—you can easily switch it up with your favorite flavor!
To learn more: Homemade Elderflower Turkish Delight (Lokum)
Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli
Turkish Rice Pilaf with orzo (Sehriyeli Pirinç Pilavi in Turkish) has been a staple food and has always enjoyed a special status in Turkey for centuries. This basic yet comforting rice dish is an important part of Turkish cuisine that plays a significant role in everyday cooking.
To learn more: Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pirinç Pilavi)
Kuzu Tandir
Kuzu Tandır Kebab is a delicious slow-cooked Turkish Roasted Lamb dish traditionally cooked in a clay "tandır oven" for long hours, until fork tender.
With this simple recipe, you can easily make this special lamb dish at home with only a few ingredients and 10 minutes of preparation.
To learn more: Kuzu Tandır Kebab - Turkish Roasted Lamb
Kuru Fasulye
Kuru Fasulye is a hearty and rich Turkish stew made with white beans and diced lamb or beef slowly cooked in a tomato sauce. In Turkey, every "lokanta" (a small restaurant that serves cheap, cheerful but tasty ready-made meals) has this famous dish on its menu. I have been to one of them in Istanbul that only serves "Kuru Fasulye and Turkish Rice Pilaf" dished up together.
To learn more: Kuru Fasulye
Cilbir - Poached Eggs
Cilbir is a delicious Turkish breakfast egg dish made with poached eggs served on a bed of silky garlic yogurt and finished with a drizzle of chili-infused butter or EVOO.
Our favorite way to enjoy these delicious Cilbir eggs is with a piece of pillowy Turkish Pide Bread - Ramazan Pidesi or a crusty Simit (Turkish Sesame Bagel) to wipe every last bit of the deliciously silky yogurt.
To learn more: Cilbir - Turkish Poached Eggs
Pogaca
Pogaca (Turkish Cheese Buns) is one of the most popular savory pastries in Turkey.
They are perfect as a quick breakfast on the go, a tasty snack when you feel peckish, or a great addition to your kids' lunch box.
To learn more: Pogaca (Turkish Cheese Buns)
Sucuklu Yumurta
Sucuklu Yumurta - Sucuk and Eggs is a simple yet delicious Turkish breakfast dish made with spicy, aromatic sausage and perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs. This classic recipe is a staple in Turkish households and makes for the perfect weekend treat. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare with just a few ingredients and works perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner.
To learn more: Sucuklu Yumurta - Turkish Sausage and Eggs
Cig Kofte
Mercimek Köftesi (Turkish Vegan Lentil Meatballs) is a healthy and flavourful Turkish dish made with fine bulgur, red lentils, onions, tomato & red pepper paste, and spices. They are usually served as an appetiser, a healthy snack, or a part of a mezze platter.
To learn more: Mercimek Köftesi (Vegan Lentil Meatballs)
Gozleme
Gozleme, also known as Turkish Pancakes, is a delicious savory Turkish flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients like mince, cheese, spinach, or potatoes. It's a popular street food in Turkey, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack. The gozleme dough is quite similar to Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread), so you can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it until ready to cook.
To learn more: Gozleme (Turkish Pancakes)
Haydari - Turkish Yogurt Dip
Haydari is a delicious Turkish Yoghurt Dip made with feta cheese, thick strained yogurt, fresh herbs, and chopped walnuts.
This tangy dip is one of the most popular mezes in Turkey and also is widely served in Turkish restaurants with kebabs and Pita Bread along with Ezme Salad (Acili Ezme).
To learn more: Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dip)
Sac Kavurma - Lamb Saute with Vegetables
Sac Kavurma (Turkish Lamb Sauté) is a simple yet delicious Turkish dish made by sautéing the lamb with onions, peppers, tomatoes, and spices over high heat. It is traditionally cooked in a shallow two-handled pan called "sac" which has its origins in the cooking utensils used by nomad Turks.
But don't worry if you don't have a sac pan, you can still make saç kavurma using an Asian wok to create high heat and sear the meat in its own fat.
To learn more: Sac Kavurma (Turkish Lamb Sauté)
Coban Salatasi
Coban Salatasi (also known as Turkish Shepherd's Salad or Choban Salad) is a light, refreshing, and simple side salad made with juicy summer tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers.
It's easy to make and comes together in only 10 minutes, perfect for a refreshing treat.
To learn more: Coban Salatasi (Turkish Shepherd's Salad)
This list is just the beginning; we have an entire collection of Traditional Turkish Food recipes you'll love!
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