Turkey lies at an ancient crossroads of many cultures and empires — Persian, Greek, Roman, Arab, British. The Anatolian peninsula was the center of its own Ottoman Empire for the best part of 600 years. All these influences come together in Turkish cuisine, which is both Mediterranean and Central Asian in nature.
Numerous small dishes and salads, called mezes, are eaten individually as snacks or in numbers as a nutritious meal. Grilled meats and fish lend their smoky flavors to the Turkish table. Olive oil is used lavishly. Yogurt is put to work as a condiment, in sauces, and even as a base for soups. Strong Turkish coffee goes well with honey-sweetened pastries.
Typical Turkish Dishes
A list of typical Turkish dishes and foods. Use it to help you plan a Turkish-style meal, party or festival.
Mezeler (Appetizers)
- Baba Ghanoush (Eggplant dip)
- Hummus bi Tahini (Chickpea and sesame dip)
- Sigara Böreği (Cheese-filled pastry cigarettes)
- Zeytinyagli Yaprak Dolmasi (Stuffed grape leaves
Çorbalar (Soups and Stews)
- Ezo Gelin (Red lentil and bulgur soup)
- Tarhana Corbasi (Sour tarhana soup)
- Yayla Corbasi (Yogurt soup)
Salatalar (Salads)
- Adas Salatasi (Lentil salad)
- Cacik (Yogurt-cucumber salad)
- Ezme Salatasi (Tomato-cucumber salad)
- Patates Salatası (Potato salad)
- Patlican Salatasi (Eggplant dip)
Makarna ve Budalalar (Pasta, Noodles and Dumplings)
- Manti (Stuffed pasta in yogurt sauce)
Yumurtalar ve Süt (Eggs and Dairy)
- Yoğurt (Yogurt)
Kumes Hayvanlari (Poultry)
- Çerkez Tavugu (Circassian chicken with walnut sauce)
Etler (Meats)
- Arnavut Ciğeri (Lamb’s liver with red peppers)
- Döner Kebab (Spiced meat sandwich)
- Kadinbudu (Lady meatballs)
- Kofta (Spiced meatballs)
- Şiş Kebabi (Grilled, skewered lamb)
Balik (Fish and Seafood)
- Kiliç Şiş (Grilled, skewered swordfish)
- Midye Dolmasi (Mussels stuffed with rice and pinenuts)
- Uskumru Dolmasi (Baked stuffed mackerel)
Sebzeler (Vegetables and Beans)
- Fasulye Piyazi (White bean salad)
- Imam Bayildi (Stuffed eggplant braised in olive oil)
- Zeytinyağli Domates Dolmasi (Tomatoes stuffed with rice)
- Zeytinyağli Pirasa (Braised leeks and rice)
- Zeytinyağli Taze Fasülye (Green beans in tomato sauce)
Ekmekler ve Hububatlar (Breads and Grains)
- Lahmacun (Flatbread topped with ground meat)
- Pide (Middle Eastern pocket bread)
- Pilav (Rice pilaf)
Soslar (Sauces and Condiments)
- Muhammara (Middle Eastern spicy roasted pepper dip)
- Nar Ekşisi (Pomegranate molasses)
Turşuyap ve Recel (Pickles and Preserves)
- Incir Receli (Fig jam)
Tatlılar (Desserts)
- Kadin Göbeği (Fritters in syrup)
- Keçkul (Almond custard)
Turkish Recipes
Try these recipes from Turkey.
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