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    Cooking Gorgeous » All Recipes » Main Dishes

    Karniyarik - Mince Stuffed Aubergine

    Published: Feb 25, 2022 · Modified: Jul 9, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Karniyarik is a traditional Turkish dish made with aubergines (a.k.a eggplant) stuffed with a delicious tomatoey mince filling. You can make this tasty dish in advance, they are a crowd pleaser and the leftovers freeze beautifully!

    It is the ultimate comfort food that you can serve on its own or pair with some fluffy Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav) and Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt with Cucumbers).

    Karniyarik - mince stuffed aubergine is served on a plate with Turkish pilaf
    Karniyarik is best enjoyed with some fluffy Turkish Rice Pilav
    Jump to:
    • What is Karniyarik?
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients and Substitutes
    • How to Choose the Best Aubergine?
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Top Tip From the Chef
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Karniyarik - Mince Stuffed Aubergine

    Aubergine (or Eggplant) is very popular in Turkey and there are around 150 different aubergine dishes in Turkish Cuisine. Karniyarik is one of the much-loved aubergine dishes and you can find it anywhere you go in Turkey. Although it is originally made with minced lamb, you can make it with minced beef or chicken.

    2 portions of Karniyarik presented in a baking dish

    What is Karniyarik?

    Karniyarik can be literally translated as "riven belly" or "split belly" in Turkish. It is a very popular dish consisting of fried or roasted eggplant (or aubergine) stuffed with a tomatoey mince&onion filling. Ground meat can be lamb or beef, some recipes even recall for chicken or turkey meat.

    It is usually cooked during summer, when the aubergines are at their best but you can enjoy them anytime of the year as long as you can get hold of aubergines.

    The vegetarian version of Karniyarik is called Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant) which is most popular in the Mediterranean and Aegean parts of Turkey.

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • It is very easy to make with step-by-step pictures and instructions.
    • You can prepare Karniyarik a few days in advance and bake or cook it just before serving.
    • The leftovers would keep for up to 5 days in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
    • If you like the Mediterranean diet, you should definitely try this Turkish stuffed aubergine recipe!

    Ingredients and Substitutes

    Ingredients needed for making Karniyarik - mince stuffed aubergines
    • Aubergines - Pick slightly firm but not hard aubergines with a shiny&smooth skin and peel them in stripes like a zebra pattern. 
    • Mince - You can use minced lamb, beef, or even a mixture of both for this recipe.
    • Onions - You can use white, brown, or yellow onions. 
    • Olive oil - I use good quality olive oil to achieve the best flavor. Be generous about it when you are making an aubergine dish as olive oil gives the dish a nice and rich flavor.
    • Tomatoes - Use the best tomatoes you can find (like plum tomatoes).
    • Tomato paste - It is the staple of Turkish cooking. It adds an umami flavor to the dishes and bright red color. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops. You can also buy it online from Amazon.
    • Parsley - It adds balance to savory dishes and is one of the most popular herbs in Mediterranean cooking. You can omit it if you prefer.
    • Garlic - Fresh garlic is a great flavoring that adds sweetness and nuttiness to dishes. Turn it into a paste with a Mortar and Pestle or grate it using a Microplane Zester Grater.
    • Seasoning - Adjust the amount to your taste.

    How to Choose the Best Aubergine?

    Globe aubergines/eggplants, also known as Italian aubergines, work the best for this recipe as it is easier to shape them like a boat.

    Small ones are better, they have fewer seeds, thinner skin, and tend to be sweeter, tenderer, and less bitter. If you buy large ones, cut them in halves before frying them.

    Pick slightly firm but not hard aubergines with a shiny&smooth skin

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Although making Karniyarik - Mince Stuffed Aubergine takes a little bit of time, this is a very simple recipe to follow. However, to achieve the best results, you need to follow a few simple steps:

    Cook the Aubergines

    Firstly, peel the aubergines in stripes to resemble a zebra pattern. And then decide how you want to cook them to make this delicious dish. You can either fry them in a pan or an air fryer, bake in the oven, or grill them on an open fire.

    4 aubergines are peeled in zebra shape

    The most traditional way is to fry the aubergines with olive oil in a pan and then fill them with mince filling. To fry the aubergines, heat a heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and then fry the aubergines until they start to soften but still have a bit of firmness, turning occasionally. 

    Alternatively, brush the aubergines with a generous amount of olive oil (approximately 50 ml) and then roast in a preheated oven at 200° C (400° F) until starting to soften, for about 30 minutes, or in the air fryer at 200° C for 15 minutes.

    You can also grill the aubergines over the open-fire flame if you would like them to have a smoky flavor. Make sure to poke them with a fork a few times before grilling them. Leave them on a colander to get rid of the excess oil and then proceed to prepare the filling.

    Prepare the Mince Filling

    Use the same pan you fried the aubergines for making the filling. Get rid of the excess oil if there is any or add a tablespoon of olive oil if there is no oil left in the pan.

    Put the pan on medium heat and then add the mince. Cook it until brown, breaking it down into small pieces with a wooden spoon.

    lamb mince browned in a pan

    Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent without browning them. Stir in the garlic and then sauté for another minute, stirring continuously, without burning the garlic.

    Sauté the onions with the mince in a pan

    Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let them cook for 5-6 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.

    the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes are added to the pan

    Stir occasionally to avoid it catching the bottom. Sprinkle on the chopped parsley, stir well and then take the pan off the heat.

    Finely chopped parsley is added to the pan

    Stuff the Aubergines and Cook

    Preheat the oven to 180° C (356° F). Cut lengthwise in the aubergines, leaving 2 cm (1") at both ends, without piercing through the bottom. Season with some salt. Carefully stuff the aubergines with a help of a spoon.

    Aubergines are cut lengthwise and placed on a baking tray

    Try to fit in as much filling as possible, piling them up a little bit if necessary. Arrange the aubergines on a baking dish stuffed side up. To make the sauce, mix half a tablespoon of tomato paste with 150 ml of water and then pour this over the aubergines.

    4 aubergines are filled with mince filling

    Cover the oven dish with a lid or tin foil and then place it in the oven. Bake the aubergines for an hour and then remove the lid/tin foil. Add more water if it looks a little dry and let them bake for another 15 minutes until the aubergines are completely soft.

    Alternatively, you can cook them in a pan. After filling the aubergines, place them in a pan stuffed side up. Put a lid on the pan and then cook them over low heat for an hour or until the aubergines are completely soft. Check the pan occasionally and then add more water if it looks a little dry.

    Let them cool completely and then garnish with some chopped parsley before serving.

    freshly baked 4 pieces Karniyarik in a baking dish

    Top Tip From the Chef

    If you have any leftover filling after stuffing the aubergines, add it to your dish, in between the aubergines. Alternatively, you can keep the filling and crack an egg or two and turn it into a delicious lunch.

    Recipe FAQs

    What to serve with Karniyarik?

    The most common way to serve this aubergine dish is with some yogurt dishes such as Cacik (Turkish Yoghurt with Cucumbers) and Haydari (Turkish Yoghurt Dip) or a bowl of refreshing salad such as Turkish Shepherd Salad (Coban Salatasi) and Gavurdagi Salatasi (Tomato and Walnut Salad). You can also serve Karniyarik with a slice of crusty bread or a bowl of Turkish Rice (Sehriyeli Pilav)

    Can you freeze Karniyarik - Stuffed Aubergine with Mince?

    Yes, they freeze beautifully. To freeze this dish, cool down the cooked stuffed aubergines completely, then place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat them in the oven for about 15 minutes at 180° C (356°F).

    Can I make this dish in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare this stuffed aubergine dish a couple of days in advance and cook it just before serving. Keep it refrigerated until you need it and take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking it.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious eggplant recipes why not try:

    • Patlican Kebabi - Eggplant Kebab
    • Vegan Moussaka Without Béchamel
    • Greek Moussaka (Musaka)
    • Hunkar Begendi (Sultan's Delight)

    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 delicious eggplant dish "Karniyarik" as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

    Karniyarik served with turkish rice

    Karniyarik - Mince Stuffed Aubergine

    Ayla Clulee
    Karniyarik is a classic Turkish stuffed aubergine dish made with a tasty mince, onion and tomato filling and then baked to perfection. 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean, Turkish
    Servings 4 portions
    Calories 687 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 peeler
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Sharp knife
    • 1 frying pan
    • 1 (25 cm) dia oven dish
    • 1 Rubber spatula

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 aubergines  (250 - 300 grams each)
    • 100 ml good quality olive oil (for frying the aubergines)
    • 400 g minced meat (lamb or beef)
    • 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil (for the mince filling)
    • 2 onions (finely diced)
    • 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
    • 400 g tomatoes (finely chopped)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon salt (plus ⅓ teaspoon extra for the aubergines
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon flaked chili (optional)
    • ½ cup chopped parsley
    • 1 tomato (for garnish)
    • 1 Turkish pepper or ½ green bell pepper (for garnish)
    • ½ tablespoon tomato paste diluted in 150 ml water (for the sauce)

    Instructions
     

    Cook the Aubergines

    • Peel the aubergines in stripes to resemble a zebra pattern.
    • Heat a heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. 
    • Add the olive oil and fry the aubergines until they start to soften but still have a bit of firmness, turning occasionally. 
    • Alternatively, brush the aubergines with a generous amount of olive oil (approximately 50 ml) and either roast in a preheated oven at 200 °C (400° F) until starting to soften, around 30 minutes, or in an air fryer at 200 °C (400° F) for 15 minutes.
    • Leave them on a colander to get rid of the excess oil and proceed to prepare the filling.

    Prepare the Mince Filling

    • Use the same pan you fried the aubergines for making the filling.
    • Get rid of the excess oil if there is any or add a tablespoon of olive oil if there is no oil left in the pan.
    • Put the pan on medium heat and add the mince.
    • Cook it until brown, breaking it down into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
    • Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent without browning them. 
    • Stir in the garlic and sauté for another minute, stirring continuously, without burning the garlic. 
    • Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and black pepper stir well, and let them cook for 5-6 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Stir occasionally to avoid it catching the bottom. 
    • Sprinkle on the chopped parsley, stir well and take the pan off the heat

    Stuff the Aubergines and Cook

    • Preheat the oven to 180° C (356° F).
    • Make a cut lengthwise in the aubergines, leaving 2 cm at both ends, without piercing through the bottom. Season with some salt.
    • Carefully stuff the aubergines with a help of a spoon. Try to fit in as much filling as possible, piling them up a little bit if necessary.
    • Place the aubergines on a baking dish stuffed side up.
    • To make the sauce, mix half a tablespoon of tomato paste with 150 ml of water and pour this over the aubergines.
    • Cover the oven dish with a lid or tin foil and place it in the oven. 
    • Bake the aubergines for an hour and then remove the lid/tin foil.
    • Add more water if it looks a little dry and bake them for another 15 minutes or until the aubergines are completely soft.
    • Alternatively, you can cook them in a pan. After filling the aubergines, place them in a pan stuffed side up. Put a lid on the pan and cook them over low heat for an hour or until the aubergines are completely soft. Check the pan occasionally and add more water if it looks a little dry.
    • Let them cool completely and garnish with some chopped parsley and fresh tomato slices before serving.

    Notes

    • Pick slightly firm but not hard aubergines with a shiny&smooth skin.
    • You can also grill the aubergines over the open-fire flame if you would like them to have a smoky flavor.
    • If you have any leftover filling after stuffing the aubergines, add it to your dish, in between the aubergines.
    • Yes, you can prepare this stuffed aubergine dish a couple of days in advance and cook it just before serving.
    • Globe aubergines/eggplants, also known as Italian aubergines, work the best for this recipe as it is easier to shape them like a boat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 687kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 24gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 1887mgFiber: 17gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 2852IUVitamin C: 82mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post use 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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dona

      March 03, 2022 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe for my dinner guests and they all asked for the recipe! I used tinned tomatoes and added a pinch of sugar. And used my air fryer to cook the aubergines. Turned out just perfect!

      Reply
    2. Gina

      March 30, 2022 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! My guests asked me for the recipe and took the leftovers home!

      Reply

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    Hi! Thank you for visiting Cooking Gorgeous. My name is Ayla, and I’m a professional chef based in the UK. The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy. To me, food is more than ingredients and nutrition; it is a language of love, a way of expressing compassion.

    More about me →

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