We have compiled a list of various types of Turkish cuisine, ranging from traditional to contemporary dishes. This list is intended to expand your culinary horizons and provide insight into the flavors of Turkey, as well as the types of food typically served in this country.
Every year, Turkey draws a large number of tourists because of its numerous tourist attractions and diverse street food and restaurants, which offer a variety of cooking styles. Additionally, Turkish cuisine is renowned globally.
Cookingrush invites you to a scrumptious and diverse culinary journey of Turkish cuisine. Whether you’re planning a trip to Turkey or seeking to explore new culinary horizons, check out this delectable list of Turkish dishes.
1. Borek
To kick off our list of Turkish dishes, we begin with a renowned Turkish street food commonly consumed as a breakfast or snack. This delectable dish comprises yufka or filo dough, stuffed with a variety of nutritious and delicious ingredients, and then fried using oil or baked in an oven. Borek is simple to prepare at home, allowing you to relish it anytime.
2. Iskender Kebap
One of the most distinctive methods of preparing kebabs, which has become one of Turkey’s top-selling kebabs, renowned for its unique flavor, is the Iskender kebab.
This dish features sliced meat cooked with an assortment of spices and is typically enjoyed with a special sauce, yogurt, and semolina bread. Its exquisite and unforgettable taste is cherished by all who try it.
3. Perde Pilaf
Hailing from the southeastern Turkish city of Siret, this delectable dish is a type of pilaf known as Perde pilaf. It’s worth noting that the name “Perde” refers to the paste that covers the rice, giving it an attractive appearance loved by all. The dough is adorned with almonds, raisins, or pine nuts, adding to the dish’s distinct flavor, setting it apart from any other pilaf you’ve had.
4. Dawood Basha Stew
According to Iranian food preferences, this delectable stew, when cooked correctly, can make for a unique and flavorful dish to serve at parties. This traditional Turkish stew, named after an Ottoman king, is also a popular dish in Greece and Syria, with many fans who experiment with various cooking methods and flavors to make it their own.
5. Kuzu Tandir
Among the many traditional Turkish dishes, one of the oldest and most sought-after is Kuzu Tandir, which is comparable to the Iranian dish of rice with meat and lamb. This delectable dish has been made with lamb meat since ancient times and is cooked in a clay oven. Served with rice, tomatoes, mini apple peppers, yogurt, and other sides, Kuzu Tandir has a distinctly delicious taste that is sure to satisfy any food lover.
6. Lahmajoun
Lahmajoun, also known as Turkish pizza, is a popular local dish in Turkey that is widely enjoyed as a street food. This simple yet delicious dish can be prepared in various flavors to cater to different taste preferences. To make Lahmajoun, a thin dough is used as a base and then topped with either minced meat or vegetables.
7. Durum sandwich
Durum is a popular type of street sandwich that can be found in abundance on the streets of Istanbul and is highly sought after. This sandwich is typically filled with meat, chicken, Turkish kebab or vegetables that are flavored in a variety of ways. It is often enjoyed as a snack and is quite filling due to its high nutritional value.
8. Kumpir
Kumpir is a delicious and hearty stuffed baked potato that is a popular street food in many cities in Turkey. To make this dish, a baked potato is split open and filled with a variety of ingredients including corn, bacon, peas, olives, mushrooms, and pickles. It is a simple dish that can be easily prepared at home and is sure to be enjoyed by all.
9. Midye Dolma
If you’re a seafood lover, don’t miss out on this Turkish seafood dish. Midye Dolma is a unique addition to the list of Turkish dishes, made with bivalve oysters, rice, vegetables, and pickles, resulting in a taste that you won’t soon forget. This popular street food in Turkey is enjoyed by both children and adults alike.
10. Badem Corbasi
Badem Corbasi is a delectable soup that is widely popular in Turkey. This nutritious soup, which is enriched with essential vitamins and nutrients, can be enjoyed as a light and delicious dinner or as an appetizer for a party table. This unique soup is prepared using almonds, milk, broth, and nutmeg. Interestingly, this soup was originally cooked for the Ottoman princes.
11. Taratorlu Piyaz
Despite its name, this tasty salad doesn’t actually contain any onions. Instead, it’s made with white beans, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, boiled eggs, lemon, and fresh parsley. While it’s often served as a side dish, its nutritious ingredients make it a satisfying and easy-to-digest option for a light dinner.
Final Words
For many years, people in different regions have been cooking food that reflects their culture and lifestyle, influenced by their background and the unique geographical conditions of their area. This has resulted in a wide range of diverse and flavorful foods.
In this article, we have presented a variety of Turkish cuisine to help you learn how to cook with different ingredients in the Turkish style, allowing you to create delicious meals for any occasion, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and even parties.
