Turkish food is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and many people are looking for ways to add these delicious dishes to their repertoire.
1. Kabak Mücveri (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Kabak Mücveri or Mücver is a ubiquitous appetizer in Turkey. People use grated zucchini and mix it with eggs, onion, flour, and herbs to create batters and fry them to perfection. Some people also call it “pancakes.”
This technique to make this dish was adopted from Ottoman cuisine. At first, its name was “Mücmer.” Later on, Turkish people renamed it “Mücver.” People usually serve it with yogurt or yogurt-based sauce. Its excellent flavor will blow your mind.
2. Sigara Böreği (Fried Feta Rolls)
Sigara Böreği means a deep-fried savory pastry. Turkish people make plenty of thin triangular-shaped dough, stuff them with feta cheese and parsley, roll them up, and fry the rolls until crisp.
This dish originated in either Persian or Turkey. Some said that it was invented by Turkish people living in Central Asia before the 17th century, while there is also evidence that it came from the Ottoman court.
3. Haydari (Yogurt Sauce)
Turkish cuisine has refreshing yogurt sauce that works as a perfect appetizer in your meal. You can dip everything in it. It is made from natural yogurt and flavored with dried herbs, cucumber, and garlic.
People serve alongside grilled meat, pita bread, and raw vegetables. Its acidic and salty taste will enhance the flavor of any other dish. You will see it very often at wedding parties.
The origin of Haydari is still a mystery. But some people posit that it came from the Bekaa plain in modern-day Lebanon.
4. Çöp Şiş (Shish Kebab)
Kebab is a favorite food of Turkish people and also a typical Middle Eastern delicacy. Shish kebab is a variant that is popular in the Anatolia region. Interestingly, it is even mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.
Legend has it that the Turkish soldiers often skew lamb meat in their swords and grill it on the fire. This happened at the time they invaded Anatolia. Then Çöp Şiş came into existence. Nowadays, it features skewed lamb cubes with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and soy sauce.
5. Mercimek Köftesi (Lentil And Bulgur Patties)
As you come to Turkey, the first thing to do is find some delicious Turkish foods to try. That will be one of the most fascinating experiences in the country. But Turkish cuisine is so vast and diverse. So what to choose?
This can be a challenging question, given that you don’t have a list of the signature Turkish dishes. Luckily, I’ve got your back. In this post, I will introduce you to the most iconic ones so that you can pick your favorites and enjoy them on your trip. Let’s keep scrolling and see!
9 Turkish Appetizers Or Side Dishes That Worth A Try
Turkey is famous for its diverse collection of foods, especially appetizers. Let me show you the most delicate ones so that you can choose to add to your favorites.
1. Kabak Mücveri (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Kabak Mücveri or Mücver is a ubiquitous appetizer in Turkey. People use grated zucchini and mix it with eggs, onion, flour, and herbs to create batters and fry them to perfection. Some people also call it “pancakes.
2. Sigara Böreği (Fried Feta Rolls)
Sigara Böreği means a deep-fried savory pastry. Turkish people make plenty of thin triangular-shaped dough, stuff them with feta cheese and parsley, roll them up, and fry the rolls until crisp.
This dish originated in either Persian or Turkey. Some said that it was invented by Turkish people living in Central Asia before the 17th century, while there is also evidence that it came from the Ottoman court.
3. Haydari (Yogurt Sauce)
Turkish cuisine has refreshing yogurt sauce that works as a perfect appetizer in your meal. You can dip everything in it. It is made from natural yogurt and flavored with dried herbs, cucumber, and garlic.
People serve alongside grilled meat, pita bread, and raw vegetables. Its acidic and salty taste will enhance the flavor of any other dish. You will see it very often at wedding parties.
The origin of Haydari is still a mystery. But some people posit that it came from the Bekaa plain in modern-day Lebanon.
4. Çöp Şiş (Shish Kebab)
Kebab is a favorite food of Turkish people and also a typical Middle Eastern delicacy. Shish kebab is a variant that is popular in the Anatolia region. Interestingly, it is even mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.
Legend has it that the Turkish soldiers often skew lamb meat in their swords and grill it on the fire. This happened at the time they invaded Anatolia. Then Çöp Şiş came into existence. Nowadays, it features skewed lamb cubes with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and soy sauce.
5. Mercimek Köftesi (Lentil And Bulgur Patties)
Mercimek Köftesi comes in the form of patties. People cook lentils and bulgur together. Sometimes onion, tomato paste, and spices are added. This dish originated in Turkey. But more details are still unexplored.
People often serve these patties cold. They make an excellent appetizer or side dish in any Turkish meal. Traditionally, people enjoy it with lettuce and some lemon juice.
As you come to Turkey, the first thing to do is find some delicious Turkish foods to try. That will be one of the most fascinating experiences in the country. But Turkish cuisine is so vast and diverse. So what to choose?
This can be a challenging question, given that you don’t have a list of the signature Turkish dishes. Luckily, I’ve got your back. In this post, I will introduce you to the most iconic ones so that you can pick your favorites and enjoy them on your trip. Let’s keep scrolling and see!
9 Turkish Appetizers Or Side Dishes That Worth A Try
Turkey is famous for its diverse collection of foods, especially appetizers. Let me show you the most delicate ones so that you can choose to add to your favorites.
1. Kabak Mücveri (Turkish Zucchini Fritters)
Kabak Mücveri or Mücver is a ubiquitous appetizer in Turkey. People use grated zucchini and mix it with eggs, onion, flour, and herbs to create batters and fry them to perfection. Some people also call it “pancakes.”
This technique to make this dish was adopted from Ottoman cuisine. At first, its name was “Mücmer.” Later on, Turkish people renamed it “Mücver.” People usually serve it with yogurt or yogurt-based sauce. Its excellent flavor will blow your mind.
2. Sigara Böreği (Fried Feta Rolls)
Sigara Böreği means a deep-fried savory pastry. Turkish people make plenty of thin triangular-shaped dough, stuff them with feta cheese and parsley, roll them up, and fry the rolls until crisp.
This dish originated in either Persian or Turkey. Some said that it was invented by Turkish people living in Central Asia before the 17th century, while there is also evidence that it came from the Ottoman court.
3. Haydari (Yogurt Sauce)
Turkish cuisine has refreshing yogurt sauce that works as a perfect appetizer in your meal. You can dip everything in it. It is made from natural yogurt and flavored with dried herbs, cucumber, and garlic.
People serve alongside grilled meat, pita bread, and raw vegetables. Its acidic and salty taste will enhance the flavor of any other dish. You will see it very often at wedding parties.
The origin of Haydari is still a mystery. But some people posit that it came from the Bekaa plain in modern-day Lebanon.
4. Çöp Şiş (Shish Kebab)
Kebab is a favorite food of Turkish people and also a typical Middle Eastern delicacy. Shish kebab is a variant that is popular in the Anatolia region. Interestingly, it is even mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.
Legend has it that the Turkish soldiers often skew lamb meat in their swords and grill it on the fire. This happened at the time they invaded Anatolia. Then Çöp Şiş came into existence. Nowadays, it features skewed lamb cubes with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and soy sauce.
5. Mercimek Köftesi (Lentil And Bulgur Patties)
Mercimek Köftesi comes in the form of patties. People cook lentils and bulgur together. Sometimes onion, tomato paste, and spices are added. This dish originated in Turkey. But more details are still unexplored.
People often serve these patties cold. They make an excellent appetizer or side dish in any Turkish meal. Traditionally, people enjoy it with lettuce and some lemon juice.
6. Dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
In Turkish, Dolma means “something stuffed”. This dish belongs to Ottoman cuisine and is also a signature food in Lebanon. It features rolls of grape leaves or cabbage leaves stuffed with vegetables, rice, seafood, or offal.
The best thing about dolma is that it is a very nutritious dish. It can be served both warm and cold, so feel free to enjoy it any time in the day. Although I classify it as an appetizer, it can also act as a main dish.
7. Bulgur Pilavı (Bulgur Pilaf)
Another classic Turkish dish is Bulgur Pilaf. Bulgur originated in Anatolia, a region of modern-day Turkey. Since then, it has been used to make pilaf. This hearty dish is a traditional Turkish lunch recipe.
People parboil whole wheat, dry it under the sun, then grind it into coarse. To make pilaf, they cook the coarse bulgur with veggies, broth, and spices and topped with red onion, almonds, feta cheese, and parsley.
8. Şakşuka (Vegetable Meze)
Şakşuka is a typical appetizer and side dish in Turkish cuisine and neighboring countries, such as the cuisine of Yemen, Libya, and Tunisia. However, the exact origin remains unexplored.
Turkish people prepare Şakşuka by sauteing vegetables, including eggplants, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers in olive oil. Then some garlic and herbs are added to intensify the flavor. You will see it in many local restaurants as an accompaniment for Raki.
9. Bazlama (Turkish Flatbread)
When you come to the villages in Turkey, you will see the round flatbread cooked in the rock oven. That bread is Bazlama. It has been a traditional dessert of Turkey for centuries. Local people love it so much because it can retain freshness for up to 1 week.
Bazlama can be kept longer because it is made from very simple ingredients, such as yeast, flour, salt, and water. The original version came from ancient Egypt. Turkish people adopted the recipe and developed their own version. It is best to enjoy it warm alongside salad and pickled vegetables.
10. Kahvalti (Turkish Breakfast)
Kahvalti represents the great culture of Turkey. From the time the Ottoman Empire ruled the country, people enjoyed breakfast while socializing with other people. They eat breakfast with a cup of tea.
Turkish Breakfast is not only a dish. It is already a meal. It typically contains pastries, cheese, dipping sauce, bread, cucumber, tomatoes, cured meat, jam, and honey. With such a fulfilling meal, people have a lot of time to talk together.