• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking Gorgeous
  • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact Us
    • Media Mentions
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cozy Soups
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cozy Soups
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » Appetizers

    Turkish Acili Ezme Salad

    Published: Apr 10, 2022 · Modified: Oct 15, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Turkish Acili Ezme Salad is a spicy Turkish dip/appetizer commonly served at restaurants alongside a basket of warm Turkish Pide Bread or Pita Bread. This flavorful and nutritious dip is made from a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs, which are finely chopped and mixed together with olive oil and spices.

    Jump to:
    • What is Turkish Acili Ezme Salad?
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make Turkish Acili Ezme Salad?
    • Top Tips From the Chef
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Instructions
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Turkish Acili Ezme Salad

    It is very easy to make this delicious ezme salad at home and customize it to your taste. You can serve this it as an appetizer, a condiment, or a part of a mezze spread. It also works great as an accompaniment salad/salsa to any grilled meat or kebabs.

    What is Turkish Acili Ezme Salad?

    Turkish Acili Ezme Salad is a spicy and flavorful salad or dip that is popular in Turkish cuisine. It is also known as "spicy mashed salad" or "Turkish salsa" due to its texture and flavor.

    The salad is made from a mixture of fresh vegetables and herbs, including tomatoes, onions, peppers, and parsley, which are finely chopped and blended together to create a smooth and slightly chunky consistency.

    It also contains garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil, which add to its flavor and texture. The "acili" in Acili Ezme Salad refers to the spiciness of the dish, which comes from the addition of hot red peppers or pepper flakes.

    acili ezme salad served with Adana Kebab

    The level of spiciness can vary depending on personal preference, but it is typically considered a mildly spicy dish.

    Acili Ezme is a popular dish in Turkish restaurants around the world and is also easy to make at home, using fresh ingredients and a food processor or blender to achieve the desired texture.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • You can take this refreshing Turkish salsa to a summer party or picnics, it is a delicious summer dish.
    • It is very easy to make this delicious Turkish ezme salad in just 15 minutes, with no cooking required.
    • You can adjust this spicy Turkish Salad to your taste by tweaking the portions of each ingredient. 
    • This tasty vegan salad has a delightful mixture of sweet, spicy, refreshing, and zingy flavors.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    labelled picture of ingredients for Ezme salad recipe
    • Tomatoes - I prefer beefsteak or Roma tomatoes but any type would work fine as long as they are tasty and juicy.
    • Green peppers - Traditionally, thin, long, and crunchy Turkish sivri biber is used for this ezme recipe. They might be very hot or mild so it would be a good idea to taste them before using them and then decide how much to use. Alternatively, you can use any green pepper you can find.
    • Red pepper - I use romano peppers but any sweet type of red pepper works with this recipe.
    • Parsley - It is one of my favorite herbs that add flavor and brightness to salads. It is very popular to use this aromatic herb in many Turkish salad recipes such as Piyaz (Turkish Bean Salad) and Coban Salatasi (Turkish Shepherd Salad).
    • Pomegranate molasses - It is a thick syrup made with pomegranate juice with an intense sweet-and-sour flavor. It is perfect to use for salad dressings or marinade. You can buy it from most Turkish / Middle Eastern shops or online from Amazon . Don't substitute it with any other molasses. Instead, use extra lemon juice.
    • Red pepper paste - It is a rich, delicious paste made with juicy, spicy red peppers and I use it quite often in my Turkish recipes. You can buy red pepper paste from Turkish or Middle Eastern shops or online from Amazon. Alternatively, you can substitute tomato paste for red pepper paste and add some extra chili flakes to the salad.
    • Tomato paste - It is the staple of Turkish cooking. It adds an umami flavor to the dishes as well as a bright red color. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops. You can also buy it online from Amazon.
    • Pul biber - Hot red pepper flakes called "pul biber" in Turkish are the main spice for this ezme salad. You can buy them from Turkish or Middle Eastern shops as well as online from Amazon.

    How to Make Turkish Acili Ezme Salad?

    This is a very simple recipe and to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Prepare the Dressing

    Turn the garlic into a paste using a pestle and mortar, or finely grate using a Microplane and place it in a bowl. Add the red pepper paste, tomato paste, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, salt, pul biber, and dried mint to the bowl. Give them a good stir using a whisk or a spoon and set them aside.

    spicy sauce for Ezme salad in a bowl

    Prepare the Vegetables

    Finely dice the tomatoes, peppers (both red and green), and onion using a sharp knife. Place them in a large bowl. Finely chop the parsley leaves and add them to the vegetables.

    vegetables are cut into small pieces and placed in a bowl

    Alternatively, you can use a food processor to chop your vegetables. The texture and the taste will be different than the hand-chopped but it will save you time if you are in a rush. 

    ezme salad vegetables chopped in a food processor

    Add the sauce to the vegetables, stir well until all combined, and place the Turkish ezme salad in a serving bowl.

    the dressing is added to the vegetables

    Drizzle extra olive oil and pomegranate molasses over it when serving.

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Same as all salad recipes, Acili Ezme Salad relies on the flavor of fresh vegetables and herbs. It's important to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients you can find.
    • The level of spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less hot peppers or pepper flakes. It's best to start with a small amount and add more gradually until the desired level of spiciness is reached.
    • If using a food processor to chop your vegetables, make sure you hand-chop the parsley as it will make the whole mixture watery when blitzed in a food processor.
    • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not bottled ones.
    • Acili Ezme Salad tastes best when it has had a chance to sit and allow the flavors to meld together. I highly recommend letting the salad sit in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.
    • There are no strict rules about the exact amount of ingredients we use for this recipe. We all have our own preferences, and this recipe can easily be adjusted accordingly! Take this recipe as a starting point and create your version by tweaking the vegetables and spices.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can serve it with any grilled meat or kebab dishes like our ultimate Turkish Lahmacun, Lamb Shish Kebab, Adana Kebap, Easy Homemade Lebanese Chicken Shawarma, Cokertme Kebabi, or Baked Turkish Meatballs.

    acili ezme served with adana kebab and pita bread

    Alternatively, you can serve it as a part of a mezze spread along with Pacanga Boregi, Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt with Cucumbers), and Icli Kofte (Turkish Kibbeh).

    Turkish Ezme Salad is also a great addition to many stir-fry dishes or stews such as Steak Picado (Bistek Picado), Wet Burrito Recipe with Ground Beef, Et Sote (a delicious Turkish beef stir-fry dish), or Bamya (Turkish Okra Stew).

    Whichever way you serve it, make sure there’s plenty of delicious fresh bread, such as Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread) to mop up all those delicious juices.

    Storage Instructions

    To store Acili Ezme Salad, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

    I don't recommend freezing this fresh salad as it contains fresh vegetables. The flavor and texture of the salad would change when frozen.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I make Turkish Ezme ahead?

    You can make it a day ahead in a pinch, however, it is best to serve this dip salad immediately or in a few hours. What makes this recipe so delicious is that it's made with fresh ingredients. Once chopped, fresh vegetables quickly lose their crispness.

    Is Acili Ezme Salad a healthy dish?

    Yes, Acili Ezme Salad is a healthy dish that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the fresh vegetables and herbs used in its preparation.

    Is Acili Ezme Salad vegan?

    Yes, Acili Ezme Salad is a vegan dish that does not contain any animal products.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious and healthy Turkish Vegan Dishes why not try:

    • Muhammara (Red Pepper Dip)
    • aubergine dip without tahini
      Baba Ganoush Without Tahini
    • turkish kisir salad
      Traditional Kisir Recipe (Spicy Turkish Bulgur Salad)
    • Imam Bayildi (Turkish stuffed eggplant)
      Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this spicy Turkish Acili Ezme as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun! 

    Want to Save This Recipe?

    Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!

    Save Recipe

    By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooking Gorgeous

    Ezme Salad

    Turkish Acili Ezme Salad

    Ayla Clulee
    Turkish Acili Ezme Salad is a spicy Turkish dip commonly served at restaurants alongside a basket of warm Turkish Pide Bread or Pita Bread.
    5 from 5 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Sauce, Side Dish
    Cuisine Turkish
    Servings 4 portions
    Calories 128 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Sharp knife
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 microplane
    • 1 whisk

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the Sauce

    • 1 clove garlic (pasted)
    • ½ tablespoon red pepper paste
    • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
    • 40 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
    • 30 ml extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon flaked chilli (pul biber)
    • 1 teaspoon dried mint

    For the Salad

    • 2 medium tomatoes (approx 250 grams)
    • 2 Turkish green peppers or ½ green bell pepper (approx 50 grams)
    • 1 red romano pepper (approx 50 grams)
    • 1 small onion
    • 2 tablespoon flat-leaf parsley

    Instructions
     

    Preparing the sauce

    • Turn the garlic into a paste using a pestle and mortar, or finely grate using a Microplane and place it in a bowl.
    • Add the red pepper paste, tomato paste, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, salt, pul biber and dried mint to the bowl.
    • Give them a good stir using a whisk or a spoon and set it aside.

    Prepare the vegetables

    • Finely dice the tomatoes, peppers (both red and green), and onion using a sharp knife. Place them in a large bowl.
    • Alternatively, you can use a food processor to chop your vegetables. The texture and the taste won't be as good as hand-chopped but will save you time if you are in a rush.
    • Finely chop the parsley leaves and add them to the vegetables.
    • Add the sauce to the vegetables, stir well until all combined and place the salad in a serving bowl.
    • Drizzle extra olive oil and pomegranate molasses over it when serving.

    Notes

    • Same as all salad recipes, Acili Ezme Salad relies on the flavor of fresh vegetables and herbs. It's important to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients you can find.
    • The level of spiciness can be adjusted by adding more or less hot peppers or pepper flakes. It's best to start with a small amount and add more gradually until the desired level of spiciness is reached.
    • If using a food processor to chop your vegetables, make sure you hand-chop the parsley as it will make the whole mixture watery when blitzed in a food processor.
    • Use freshly squeezed lemon juice, not bottled ones.
    • There are no strict rules about the exact amount of ingredients we use for this recipe. We all have our own preferences, and this recipe can easily be adjusted accordingly! Take this recipe as a starting point and create your own version by tweaking the vegetables and spices.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 615mgPotassium: 444mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 2059IUVitamin C: 104mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

    « Tartar Sauce With Capers
    Karadeniz Pidesi »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christina

      April 19, 2022 at 4:53 am

      5 stars
      Excellent, simple recipe. One I will make again and again.

      Reply
    2. Janet

      April 20, 2022 at 5:15 pm

      5 stars
      This is one of my all time favourite salads, it is INSANELY good. I’ve done it for Mediterranean themed dinner parties a few times and it goes down so well.

      Reply
    3. Mariana

      June 08, 2022 at 5:31 am

      5 stars
      I wanted a special salad to accompany the BBQ dinner I made for my husband’s birthday and I'm thrilled to have found this tasty recipe! So many salads are forgettable, but this one stands out; everyone loved it.

      Reply
    4. Jessica

      July 19, 2023 at 8:30 am

      5 stars
      Very flavorful side. We sub cilantro often for the Flatleaf parsley. Last fall, I found a large chokecherry bush and made syrup. It’s tart and just slightly bitter and has been the perfect alternative to the often hard to find (and expensive around here!) pomegranate molasses

      Reply
    5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

    Soup Recipes

    • Greek Chicken Lemon Soup - Avgolemono
    • Arpa Şehriye Çorbası - Turkish Orzo Soup
    • Turkish Tarhana Soup - Tarhana Çorbası
    • Homemade Turkish Tarhana Powder Recipe
    • Moroccan Harira Lamb and Chickpeas Soup
    • chicken and dumpling soup served in a bowl
      Easy Chicken and Dumpling Soup Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy
    • FAQs

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Cooking Gorgeous

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.