Are you a hardcore foodie looking to embark on a culinary adventure during your holiday in Turkey?

38 Mouth-Watering Turkish Foods That Will Give Anyone An Instant Foodgasm (2023)!

The following recipes are some that would make you want to eat them in real life:

Turkish Cuisine

You will find it hard to believe that they even exist! It is true, but I believe they are here. There is nothing like having an entire meal with your friends, or family in the comfort of your own home. What better way than with these delectable dishes from the land of spices? With so many different combinations, one could choose from any of the amazing options. In addition to desserts, there are also appetizers, main courses, side dishes, and drinks. And don’t forget the bread! Don’t waste time searching and try out each recipe you get to see how much easier cooking at home can be.

1. Kebabs / Kabab (Cumin Chicken)

Kebabs are the most popular dish in Turkey. They are basically round meatballs filled with minced pork or chicken. One can easily prepare a kabab by following this easy recipe. Just mix ground pork with freshly chopped onion, garlic, and olive oil. Then add eggs, chicken, tomato paste, lemon juice/juice (or chicken stock), and salt. Mix the ingredients well until combined. Make sure the dough is completely covered with egg white. Roll into balls and place on plates. Serve with a mixture of lettuce, tomato and cucumber salad or vegetable soup.

Fries

Fries are usually cooked either in vegetable or meat broth. But if you want something really delicious, you should check out Fries of Istanbul. You can buy the rice from a nearby food market, then boil it yourself. Or just buy it online and cook it in a pan. Once the mixture has cooled down, you roll it up and cut it into rotis. After that, fill the center part with egg/chicken mixture. Put on a hot skillet with garlic bread and stir fry until brown and crispy. Finally, serve with another sauce or cold salad.

3. Bekir / Baklava (Chicken Curry)

Baklava is a classic dish in Ankara. It’s a combination of chicken with vegetables and sauces. Traditionally, it was prepared with chicken curry. However, nowadays, you can do it without using anything special. Simply toss the chicken pieces with soy sauce, onions, garlic, and chili flakes. Add other ingredients such as carrots, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes to taste. Cook until the chicken is tender, about 4 minutes. Then set it aside. Now you need to make the sauce, depending on what kind of sauce you plan to use. If you want sweet, you may want to sprinkle fresh berries on top. For spicy, you might need a bit more chilli. Next, add the vegetables to the sauce and cook until they are thoroughly coated. Do not forget to garnish it with fresh parsley. Serve with noodles, kababs, and warm flatbreads. Finally, enjoy with tea (if you are feeling adventurous and drink your local beverages).

4. Harem / Haremet (Haremi)

Harem is one of the best things ever! It consists of fried chicken wrapped in filleted vegetables. This simple dish can be made with different types of meat and vegetables. Here’s a nice video tutorial on how to prepare Harem at home. First, chop all the chicken into small chunks. Then put it in a skillet and cook until it is nicely seasoned. While stirring, pour in 1/2 cup yogurt and 1 cup sour cream and cook until melted. Pour in the remaining yogurt and simmer until the cheese begins to melt into the sauce. Top the Harem with sliced veggies and bake until golden brown. Serve with some spiced potatoes and a homemade dip. When the Harem is done, simply cover it in your favorite sauce and eat it outside on a sunny day.

5. Karisaan / Kahari (Turkey Meat Pie)

The heart of Turkey lies in its cuisine. Of course, everything is quite similar, but sometimes the differences between countries like to surprise us. As I mentioned earlier, Karisaan is a very famous dish that can be found in almost every restaurant. It is served as a starter and is a great option for appetizers. As for me, I love to cook a variety of meat pies. From fish to pork, and everything in between, you can find one that suits your tastes perfectly. Below are two of my favorites.

6.Baba ghanoush

Baba ghanoush and bayramat are one of the most popular dishes in Turkish cuisine. Both are traditionally eaten together. But now you will definitely like trying them alone. So here’s the procedure to making both meals. To start with the first step, simply take a piece of chicken skin and thinly slice it into strips. Then wrap the pieces in pita/kaput bread and layer it with 2 tablespoons of lard, 1 tablespoon of butter, and 3 diced onions. Finally, let it sit for 20 minutes before adding the next ingredient. Then cook it until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Finally, remove the coating and serve with some boiled egg on top.

7. Kebabs / Kabab (Cumin Chicken)

Another traditional Turkish dish is kebabs. Another recipe that you may want to try with kebabs is Cumin Chicken. Take a slice of cumin and grate it over chicken. Let it marinate for 15 minutes before cutting it into thin strips. Next, cook the chicken until it is cooked through. Then scoop out the meat with a spoon and place it on a plate- you may even put some veggies on top. Lastly, you can serve with some bread or mashed potatoes for dessert.

8. Hatay / Hataya (Chicken Stew)

You will fall in love with the flavors of this dish when you attempt it with chicken. It was brought to you by our ancestors thanks to the Muslim conquistadors. It is an incredibly flavorful stew with chicken skin. All you need are ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry: chicken skin, chicken stock, and onions. Start by placing the chicken skin in large bowls and mixing with the chicken stock and onions to taste. Heat the chicken under low heat until it is boiling and then lower the heat to medium heat. Add the chicken skin to the chicken stock and allow it to cook until the chicken is completely cooked. Once it is finished, season to taste with salt and pepper and remove it from the stove. Stir in the onions and cook until they are sauteed. Cover the chicken with a lid and let it rest for 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Finally, remove the bird and serve with plenty of water for cleaning.

9. Roast duck with green beans

Roasting duck with green beans is another great dish to try. Not only does it give it a unique flavor, but it’s healthy too. Duck breasts are roasted whole, and then the meat is added to the green bean stew. Here are the steps to follow: Boil the duck breasts for 30 minutes. At high heat, gently defrost the chicken breasts until they turn into a dark red color. Then drain the fat from the breasts and place them in the blender until they become smooth. Blend until smooth and then proceed to season the meat with salt and pepper. Place the breast halves in a shallow bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. While the breasts are roasting, make the green bean sauce by whisking together 1 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/3 cups of sugar, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of sea salt, 1 tablespoon of paprika, and 1 tablespoon of oregano. Season generously with salt, pepper, and pepper. Once the breasts are fully cooked, remove them from the refrigerator and let them cool slightly. Then slice the breasts in half and roast them on the oven for 40 minutes. Once the breasts are cooked, transfer the breasts to serving bowls, add the gravy, and serve immediately with steamed vegetables or baked chips.

10. Garlic Bread Recipe

I recently discovered a new recipe for garlic bread that I highly recommend. Instead of regular bread, try this recipe with garlic. Take 4 cloves of garlic and soak it overnight in warm water. Then, after that, soak the garlic in a little vinegar and some honey. Finally, squeeze out the excess liquid and add to the garlic bread.

11. Nasi Lemansa / Savory Salad (Kelbi)

This is one of my favorites. My dad makes his version using chicken or beef as the base. We typically eat it with hummus or tzatziki, and with vegetables or soups. This particular recipe is perfect if you are looking for a light lunch or dinner. You must be careful to cut the cabbage and salad into big cubes and keep them in the refrigerator.

12. Oven Chicken Breasts

Oven chicken breasts are a good choice if you are going to make it for guests. It is important to remember that the breasts must be cut into slices and placed inside the oven. Before that, remove them from the refrigerator and pat them dry with paper towels. Then cook the chicken breasts in a pressure cooker until the breasts are cooked through and golden brown. You can also bake them on their sides or in batches if necessary.

13. Sultaj