Best Turkish Eggs Recipes

TURKISH ONE-PAN EGGS & PEPPERS (MENEMEN)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Stir in the onions, pepper and chillies. Cook until they begin to soften. Add the tomatoes and sugar, mixing well. Cook until the liquid has reduced, season.
• Using a wooden spoon, create 4 pockets in the tomato mixture and crack the eggs into them. Cover the pan and cook the eggs over a low heat until just set.
• Beat the yogurt with the garlic and season. Sprinkle the menemen with parsley and serve from the frying pan with a dollop of the garlic-flavoured yogurt.

TURKISH EGGS (CILBIR)

Steps:

• Spoon yogurt into a medium bowl. Grate in garlic and mix to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Add dill and mix thoroughly. Set aside at room temperature.
• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; heat until bubbles begin to burst. Add cumin, paprika, and chili flakes. Stir until color is uniform, then turn off heat and let spices infuse.
• Grind parsley and jalapeno together in a mortar. Season with salt, drizzle in olive oil, and stir to combine.
• Fill a large saucepan with 2 to 3 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, pour in vinegar, and keep the water at a gentle simmer. Crack an egg into a small bowl then gently slip egg into the simmering water, holding the bowl just above the surface of water. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Cook eggs until the whites are firm and the yolks have thickened but are not hard, 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Remove the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon, dab on a kitchen towel to remove excess water, and place onto a warm plate.
• Dollop yogurt mixture onto serving plates. Use the back of a spoon to spread yogurt out into a bed for the eggs, carving ridges into the top to catch the oil. Drizzle on some jalapeno oil. Top with eggs and a spoonful or two of the Aleppo butter. Sprinkle sea salt on top.

MENEMEN (TURKISH SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH TOMATO)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a nonstick medium skillet over medium-high. Add the onion, oregano and Aleppo pepper, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in the green pepper and cook until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• While the onions and peppers are cooking, purée half the tomatoes in a food processor or blender. Once the onions and peppers are soft, add the remaining chopped tomatoes to the onions and peppers. Crack the eggs into a medium bowl, add the puréed tomatoes and whisk until foamy.
• Once the mixture in the skillet comes to a simmer, stir in the 1/4 cup parsley and the butter, if using. Reduce heat to low, add the egg mixture on top and cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggs are set but still soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Taste, adding a little more salt, oregano or Aleppo pepper, if needed. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve directly from the skillet, with flatbread alongside.

MENEMEN (TURKISH SCRAMBLED EGGS)

Steps:

• Sauce: Roughly chop the peppers by slicing off the tops, then cut strips lengthwise around the core. Dice strips, discarding the core with some of the rib and most of the seeds. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add peppers, a pinch of salt, tomato paste, harissa, Maras (or Aleppo) pepper, and sauté until soft, 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, chop the scallions and add to the peppers when they're soft, after about 3 minutes.
• Halve tomatoes crosswise and pull out some of the seeds. Put a box grater in a bowl and grate the tomatoes over the largest holes until all that's left is the flattened tomato skin. Stir grated tomatoes into the peppers along with the remaining tablespoon of oil and simmer until the tomatoes are cooked and the sauce is thickened, 3-4 minutes. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
• Eggs: Whisk eggs with a pinch of salt. Set aside. Stir parsley and remaining tablespoon of butter into the pepper-tomato mixture. Slowly pour in the eggs, stopping and stirring in 4 additions. The eggs will scramble right away but also make the sauce creamy. Stir until eggs are still slightly runny but set, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat and let rest (eggs will continue cooking) while you prepare the garnish.
• Assembly: Thinly slice cucumbers on a mandoline. Set aside. Untwist string cheese, pulling it apart into thin strands. Set aside. Spoon eggs evenly into pita bread. Garnish with string cheese and cucumbers (or leave on the side) and enjoy like a breakfast burrito.

TURKISH SCRAMBLED EGGS WITH SPICY TOMATOES AND CAPERS (MENEMEN)

Steps:

• In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil until shimmering. Add the poblanos, scallions, garlic, Aleppo pepper, and ½ teaspoon each salt and white pepper. Cover and cook, stirring, until the chilies are softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the tomatoes and capers; set aside. Wipe out the skillet.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and ¾ teaspoon salt. Return the skillet to medium and heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until shimmering. Pour the eggs into the center of the pan. Using a silicone spatula, continuously stir the eggs, pushing them toward the middle as they set at the edges and folding the cooked egg over on itself. Cook until just set, about 1½ minutes. The curds should be shiny, wet and soft. Taste and season with salt and pepper, then divide among warmed serving plates.
• Top each serving with a portion of the poblano mixture. Sprinkle with feta and dill, then drizzle with oil.

TURKISH POACHED EGGS WITH YOGURT AND SPICY SAGE BUTTER

Steps:

• Stir yogurt and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt. Divide mixture equally among 4 plates, spreading to coat center.
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add sage, paprika and red pepper and stir just until butter sizzles. Remove from heat. Season with salt.
• Add vinegar to large skillet of simmering water and return mixture to simmer. Crack eggs into water. Simmer until eggs are softly cooked, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs from water, drain briefly and place 2 eggs atop yogurt on each plate.
• Rewarm butter mixture if necessary; spoon over eggs and serve immediately with pita bread.

TURKISH EGGS WITH OLIVES, FETA AND TOMATOES (MENEMEN)

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Add half the scallions and cook until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the bell peppers and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, red-pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook until some of the liquid from the tomatoes evaporates, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast the pita or flatbread on an open flame on the stovetop over low heat, turning with long metal tongs, until toasted and warmed on all sides. Wrap well in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• When most of the liquid has evaporated from the tomatoes, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add the eggs and let them cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until large curds form and the eggs are mostly cooked through but still slightly runny, about 3 minutes. Stir in the feta and cook until scrambled eggs are just cooked and feta is slightly melted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the parsley, cilantro and remaining scallions. Serve warm, with olives and pita on the side.

TURKISH SCRAMBLED EGGS (MENEMEN)

Steps:

• Place the olive oil and cubanelle peppers in a large pan. Cook for about 2 minutes over medium-high heat.
• Take the seeds out of the tomatoes and squeeze slightly to remove excess juice. Then chop and add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for another 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Mix the eggs with the cream in a bowl, and pour into the pan. Then add the feta cheese. Keep stirring periodically until the eggs are done. Make sure you dont overcook, otherwise it will be dry.
• Serve with bread.

TURKISH POACHED EGGS WITH GARLIC YOGURT

Steps:

• Combine the yogurt, garlic, dill, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl; stir until smooth. Spread the yogurt on 4 plates.
• Bring about 3 inches of water to a boil in a wide pot. Add the vinegar and reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer. Crack 4 eggs into individual small bowls or ramekins. Carefully lower each egg into the water. Cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Remove the poached eggs with a slotted spoon and blot the bottoms dry on a kitchen towel. Divide among the plates. Let the water return to a simmer and repeat with the remaining 4 eggs; add to the plates. Season the eggs with a pinch each of salt and red pepper flakes.
• Toast the walnuts in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring, until golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes, then stir in the butter until melted. Spoon over the eggs.
• Toss the watercress with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl; divide among the plates. Serve with the bread.

TURKISH EGGS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the yogurt and garlic in a small bowl and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Divide between 4 small ovenproof dishes and place in the oven for 10 minutes. While the yogurt is warming, put 2 inches of water in a deep frying plan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and immediately break the eggs into the pan. To stop the egg whites spreading too much, break the eggs directly into the water, carefully opening the shells at the water surface so that the eggs slide into the water. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. Leave to cook undisturbed in the water for about 3 minutes. The eggs are cooked when the whites are opaque. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on a clean tea towel. Mix the olive oil and paprika together in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the yogurt from the oven and top with the spinach leaves and poached egg. Drizzle over the olive oil mixture and serve at once.

MENEMEN (SPICY TURKISH SCRAMBLED EGGS)

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large skillet and sautee the onion until soft. Add the peppers and sautee for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and cook for 2 or 3 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, beat the eggs with salt and pepper, to taste, and the paprika powder. Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables. Keep stirring with a fork or whisk until set, then serve.

TURKISH EGGS

Steps:

• Put the chilli and butter in a small pan and melt on a very gentle heat to ensure the chilli flavour infuses while you make the rest of the dish.
• Whisk the garlic into the yogurt. Season well and add the lemon juice. Bring a large pan of water to a simmer. Add the vinegar, make a swirl with a large spoon, then crack each egg into the water. Poach for 3 mins until set, then drain on kitchen paper.
• To serve, put half the yogurt in each bowl, add a poached egg to each, then drizzle with the melted chilli butter. Season, top with sumac and coriander leaves, and serve with toast.

TURKISH POTATOES AND EGGS (PATATESLI YUMURTA)

Steps:

• In a large pan, saute the onion with olive oil.
• Add the garlic and hash browns (don't defrost), salt and pepper.
• Cook for about 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
• Pour the beaten eggs over the potatoes and lightly stir with a wooden spatula.
• When the eggs are cooked (don't over-cook) sprinkle parsley and crushed pepper on top. Serve immediately as breakfast or a light meal with Tomato Salad.
• * Instead of hash browns, you can use 2 medium sized potatoes. Peel and cut them in cubes and fry in sunflower oil. Then put them on a paper towel to soak up extra oil. Add the fried potatoes and the beaten eggs into the pan at the same time for this dish.
• Makes 1 serving.

SLOW COOKER TURKISH BREAKFAST EGGS

Steps:

• Oil the inside of a small slow cooker and heat if necessary. Heat the remaining oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Stir in the onions, pepper and chilli. Cook until they begin to soften. Tip into the slow cooker and add the cherry tomatoes and bread and stir everything. Season.
• Whisk the eggs with the milk and parsley and pour this over the top, making sure all the other ingredients are covered. Cook for 5-6 hours. Serve with the yogurt.

TURKISH POACHED EGGS WITH YOGURT AND SPICY SAGE BUTTER

Steps:

• Stir yogurt and garlic in small bowl to blend and then season to taste with salt.
• Divide the mixture equally among 4 plates, spreading to coat the the center of each plate.
• Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, then add the sage, paprika and red pepper and stir just until the butter sizzles; remove from heat and season with salt.
• Add the vinegar to large skillet of simmering water and return the mixture to a simmer.
• Crack the eggs into the simmering water and simmer until the eggs are softly cooked, about 3 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon or pasta server/fork, remove the eggs from the water, drain briefly and place 2 eggs atop the yogurt on each plate.
• Rewarm the butter mixture, if necessary, and spoon over the eggs.
• Serve immediately with pita bread.

TURKISH POACHED EGGS-YOGURT & SPICY SAGE BUTTER

Steps:

• Stir yogurt, dill, mint and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season to taste with salt. Divide mixture equally among 4 plates, spreading to coat center.
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add sage, paprika and red pepper and stir just until butter sizzles. Remove from heat. Season with salt.
• Add vinegar to large skillet of simmering water and return mixture to simmer.
• Crack eggs into water. Simmer until eggs are softly cooked, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove eggs from water, drain briefly and place 2 eggs atop yogurt on each plate.
• Rewarm butter mixture if necessary; spoon over eggs and serve immediately with pita bread.

TURKISH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• 1. Mix together the yogurt, parsley, mint and garlic; set aside. (The yogurt needs to be quite firm, so don't over-stir or it will thin out and not be firm enough.)
• 2. In a small bowl, whisk the oil with chili flakes and lemon zest; set aside.
• 3. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a brisk boil. Add vinegar, and reduce heat to a low but steady simmer. Using a large spoon to swirl the boiling water, creating a whirlpool. Crack eggs one at a time into the saucepan, and cook for 3 minutes or until the whites are set. Use a slotted spoon to transfer poached eggs to a paper towel to absorb water.
• 4. Divide the yogurt mixture among 4 individual plates. Press the back of a large spoon into the top of each yogurt mound to make a slight well. Top each yogurt mound with a poached egg. Drizzle chili oil on top of each poached egg. Serve immediately with char-grilled Turkish bread.

TURKISH EGGS

Steps:

• Fry the vegetables and spices in olive oil until the peppers are soft and juicy. Season with salt.
• One at a time break the eggs into a saucer and then slip into the nest of peppers.Cook until the whites of the egg are set.
• Serve from the pan with a dollop of yoghurt.

TURKISH STYLE EGGS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the garlic, yogurt and pinch of salt; mix well.
• In a large saucepan or stockpot, combine water, vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil over high heat. When the water is boiling hard, reduce the heat and gently break the eggs into the water, spacing them well apart. Cook until the whites have set over the yolks, immediately remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and place on a serving dish.
• Melt butter in a small skillet or saucepan. Stir in paprika. Pour yogurt sauce over eggs and top with paprika butter. Your cilbir is ready!

MEHMET'S OTTOMAN EGGS (TURKISH)

Steps:

• Peel, halve and then thinly slice the onions.
• Heat a generous amount of butter in a heavy frying pan. Add the onions and a good pinch of salt. Stir to coat onions in the melted butter.
• Cook over low heat for at least 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer you can cook the onions, the better. As the onions cook and become dry, sprinkle them with water. The idea is to end up with totally soft onions which are beginning to caramelize, but are not yet too brown and sweet. They should not be crispy at all. Taste and add more salt if you wish (you may find it helps to cover the pan for some of the cooking.)
• When the onions are caramelized, sprinkle with a small splash of vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper or paprika. Mix thoroughly (you may also add a pinch of sugar, if you wish.)
• Make 4 indentations in the onions and carefully Crack an egg into each "nest". Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and cook gently until the eggs are covered with a thin transparent film. The whites should be set, but the yolks should still be runny.
• Serve immediately with bread or toast.