10+ Turkish Recipes You’ll Love to Try at Home

Turkish recipes are a fantastic way to dive into rich, unique flavors you might not experience every day. Whether you’re after something super simple or feeling adventurous, there’s always a Turkish dish that’ll fit your mood.

You can make Turkish food at home with basic ingredients and straightforward steps. Trying out these recipes lets you bring new tastes to your kitchen without too much fuss.

Ingredients

• Varies by recipe

Cooking Instructions

• Varies by recipe

1) Classic Turkish Menemen (Scrambled Eggs with Tomato and Peppers)

Menemen is a bright, simple Turkish breakfast made with eggs, tomatoes, and peppers. You cook everything in one pan, so it’s quick and easy—perfect for mornings when you don’t want to fuss.

Start by sautéing chopped onions and peppers in olive oil. Add in fresh tomatoes and your favorite spices.

Once the veggies soften, pour in the beaten eggs and gently scramble until everything’s creamy. Salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes give it a little kick.

Scoop up the eggs with fresh bread. It’s comforting and classic—definitely worth a try at home.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: chili flakes

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over low heat.
2. Add onions and peppers; cook until soft.
3. Stir in tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes if you want.
5. Beat eggs and pour them into the pan.
6. Cook gently, stirring until eggs are softly scrambled.
7. Serve warm with bread.

For more details, see this Menemen recipe.

2) Authentic Döner Kebab

Döner kebab is a Turkish favorite—seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. You can use beef, lamb, or chicken, whatever you like best.

After cooking, slice the meat thin and serve it with bread, veggies, and a tangy sauce. Marinate your meat in spices like cumin, paprika, garlic, and yogurt for that authentic flavor.

Yogurt makes the meat tender and adds a bit of zing. Slow cooking keeps it juicy and gives those crispy edges everyone loves.

At home, you can bake or pan-cook the seasoned meat. It’s a great way to enjoy street food flavors without leaving your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef or lamb, thinly sliced
• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, garlic, cumin, paprika, pepper, salt, and olive oil in a bowl.
2. Add the sliced meat, coat well, and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
4. Lay the meat on a baking sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes, turning halfway, until cooked and a bit crispy.
6. Slice thinly and serve with warm bread and toppings.

For more detail, check out Turkish Döner Kebab recipes like this one from Silk Road Recipes.

3) Spiced Lamb Koftas

Spiced lamb koftas are easy and packed with flavor. You mix minced lamb with cumin, coriander, paprika, and a touch of cinnamon.

Shape the mix into small logs or balls. Grill or pan-cook them until juicy and browned.

Serve with yogurt or salad. These koftas are perfect for a quick dinner or a casual get-together.

Ingredients

• 500g ground lamb
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp coriander
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
• A handful of parsley (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined.
2. Shape into small logs or balls.
3. Preheat grill or pan over medium heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
4. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning to brown all sides.
5. Serve warm with yogurt or salad.

For more details, check this Turkish Lamb Kofta Kebabs recipe.

4) Turkish Red Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası)

Turkish Red Lentil Soup, or Mercimek Çorbası, is cozy, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s a classic comfort food in Turkey and honestly, it’s hard to beat on a chilly day.

Start by cooking red lentils with onions, carrots, garlic, and potatoes. Add in paprika and cumin for warmth.

Let it simmer, then blend until smooth. Finish with olive oil or a squeeze of lemon if you want a little brightness.

Ingredients

• 1 large onion
• 1 large carrot
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 small potato
• 1 cup dried red lentils
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 4 cups water or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil and lemon (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop onion, carrot, garlic, and potato finely.
2. In a pot, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft.
3. Add carrot, potato, tomato paste, paprika, and cumin. Cook for a few minutes.
4. Stir in the lentils and water or broth.
5. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 40 minutes.
6. Blend until smooth with a hand blender or regular blender.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve hot with olive oil or lemon juice if you like.

You can find similar recipes for Turkish Lentil Soup at The Mediterranean Dish and Simply Recipes.

5) Chicken Shish Kebabs

Chicken Shish Kebabs are simple and delicious. Marinate chicken in yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and spices to keep it juicy and flavorful.

Thread the chicken onto skewers. Grill until cooked through and lightly charred.

Serve with rice, salad, or flatbread. Letting the chicken soak in the marinade overnight really makes a difference.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into cubes
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, grated
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yogurt, garlic, onion, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices in a bowl.
2. Add chicken cubes and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
4. Thread chicken onto skewers.
5. Grill for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with your favorite sides.

For marinade details, see the Turkish Chicken Kebabs recipe.

6) Traditional Turkish Pide (Flatbread Pizza)

Turkish Pide is a soft, boat-shaped flatbread you can load up with all kinds of fillings—ground beef, cheese, sucuk, or even spinach. It bakes quickly and is great for lunch or dinner.

The chewy crust and savory fillings make it special. Making pide at home is actually pretty fun and lets you pick your own flavors.

Start with basic dough ingredients and your favorite toppings. Bake at around 450°F (230°C) until golden and cooked through.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp instant yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup ground beef or cheese or sucuk (optional toppings)
• 1 small onion, chopped (optional)
• 1 egg (optional, for topping or filling)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Add warm water and olive oil. Knead until smooth.
3. Let dough rise for 1 hour in a warm spot.
4. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
5. Roll out dough into an oval.
6. Add toppings, leaving edges free.
7. Fold edges in to make a boat shape.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden.
9. Crack an egg on top before baking if you’d like.
10. Serve warm and dig in!

For more details, see the Pide Turkish Flat Bread recipe.

7) Stuffed Eggplant (Imam Bayildi)

Imam Bayildi is a classic Turkish dish—its name means “the imam fainted.” You roast eggplants until tender, then fill them with a savory mix of onions, garlic, and tomatoes.

Bake the stuffed eggplants so the flavors meld and the veggies get soft. It’s a fresh, wholesome meal that works as a main or a side.

Enjoy it warm or at room temperature. With just a few ingredients, you get a dish that’s surprisingly rich and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Pinch of allspice
• Pinch of cardamom
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Roast eggplants whole until they’re soft, about 30 minutes.

3. Cut eggplants in half. Scoop out some of the flesh.

4. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until they turn soft.

5. Add tomatoes, spices, and parsley. Cook for 10 minutes.

6. Stuff the eggplants with this mixture.

7. Bake stuffed eggplants for 25 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

8) Börek with Cheese and Spinach

Börek with cheese and spinach is a super tasty Turkish dish, and honestly, it’s not hard to make. You use thin phyllo dough and layer it with sautéed spinach, garlic, and plenty of crumbled feta cheese.

This combo gives you a crisp, golden pie with a soft, savory filling. For the filling, just cook chopped spinach with garlic and onion until it softens.

Mix that with feta or whatever white cheese you like. Brush the dough layers with oil or melted butter before you add the filling and bake.

Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even a light lunch. The flaky texture and fresh taste make it a favorite in a lot of Turkish homes.

Ingredients

• Phyllo dough (about 10 oz / 300 g)
• Fresh spinach (1 lb / 450 g)
• Feta cheese (7 oz / 200 g)
• Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
• Onion (1 small, chopped)
• Olive oil or vegetable oil (1/3 cup)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Sauté garlic and onion in oil until soft.

3. Add spinach. Cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain any extra water.

4. Mix spinach with crumbled feta cheese, salt, and pepper.

5. Lay one sheet of phyllo in a greased pan and brush with oil. Repeat layering 3-4 sheets the same way.

6. Spread the spinach and cheese filling evenly over the dough.

7. Cover with 3-4 more phyllo sheets, brushing each with oil.

8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

9. Let it cool a bit before cutting and serving.

Learn more about this recipe at Turkish Borek with Spinach and Feta Cheese.

9) Simit (Turkish Sesame Bagel)

Simit is a classic Turkish bread ring, covered all over in sesame seeds. It sort of looks like a bagel, but the crust is lighter and crispier.

You’ll spot it everywhere in Turkey, usually for breakfast or as a snack with tea. The bread gets a hint of sweetness from a honey glaze before you roll it in sesame seeds.

It bakes up golden and crunchy outside, soft inside. Making simit at home is easier than you might think.

You only need a few basic ingredients and a little patience for the dough to rise. Shape the rings, dip them in molasses water, then coat with sesame seeds before baking.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups warm water
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup molasses (or grape molasses)
• 1 cup sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit 10 minutes until bubbly.

2. Combine flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and oil. Knead until smooth.

3. Cover the dough and let it rise for 1 hour.

4. Divide dough into equal pieces. Roll each into a long rope.

5. Twist two ropes together and form a ring.

6. Mix molasses with ½ cup water. Dip each ring into this molasses water.

7. Coat the rings with sesame seeds.

8. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

9. Bake simit for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

10) Baklava with Pistachios

Baklava with pistachios is a legendary sweet treat. It’s made from thin layers of phyllo dough, and you brush each one with melted butter for that rich, flaky bite.

The filling uses finely ground pistachios, so you get a true nutty flavor in every piece. After baking, pour a simple syrup of sugar, water, and lemon juice over the baklava.

That syrup sweetens it up but doesn’t overpower the nuts or butter. No honey or extra spices here—just pistachios front and center.

Making baklava takes some patience, but it’s worth it. Friends will definitely be impressed if you show up with a tray of this classic Turkish dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 package phyllo dough
• 2 cups finely ground pistachios
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grab a baking pan and brush it with butter.

3. Take half the phyllo sheets and layer them in the pan, brushing each one with more butter.

4. Scatter the pistachios in a nice, even layer over the phyllo—don’t be stingy.

5. Now, layer the rest of the phyllo sheets on top, again brushing each with butter.

6. Before baking, cut the whole thing into diamond shapes. This part’s a little fiddly, but it’s worth it.

7. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for about 40–45 minutes. You’re looking for a golden color and crisp texture.

8. While it bakes, mix sugar, water, and lemon juice in a pot. Boil that for around 10 minutes to make your syrup.

9. When the baklava comes out hot, pour the syrup all over it right away.

10. Let it cool down completely before you even think about serving.

If you want more detail, here’s a Turkish Pistachio Baklava Recipe that walks through everything.