Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America 

Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America 

Turkish cuisine is loved worldwide for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and deep cultural heritage. In America, Turkish food has gained immense popularity, thanks to its delicious and healthy options. Whether you’re visiting a Turkish restaurant or cooking at home, these dishes are some of the most loved by Americans.

Here are the top 10 most popular Turkish dishes in America along with their recipes so you can try them at home!

1. Döner Kebab

Why Americans Love It:
Döner kebab is a flavorful, juicy, and satisfying meal often served in pita bread or as a plate with rice.

Ingredients:

• 500g lamb or beef (thinly sliced)
• 1 onion (grated)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp yogurt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let it marinate for at least 4 hours.
2. Cook on a grill or pan until golden brown.
3. Serve in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and yogurt sauce.

2. Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

Why Americans Love It:
Thin, crispy, and topped with spiced minced meat, lahmacun is a lighter alternative to traditional pizza.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp salt
• 200g ground beef
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 onion (grated)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes

Instructions:

1. Knead the flour, water, and salt into a dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Roll out thin, top with the beef mixture, and bake at 450°F (230°C) for 10 minutes.

3. İskender Kebab

Why Americans Love It:
A combination of thinly sliced beef or lamb, buttery tomato sauce, and yogurt makes this dish irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 500g beef or lamb (thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup yogurt

Instructions:

1. Cook the meat in a pan until crispy.
2. Heat the butter and tomato sauce together, then pour over the meat.
3. Serve with yogurt and toasted pita bread.

4. Pide (Turkish Flatbread)

Why Americans Love It:
Similar to pizza but with a unique oval shape and delicious fillings like cheese, ground beef, or sucuk (Turkish sausage).

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp yeast
• 200g ground beef
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1/2 cup cheese

Instructions:

1. Make the dough and let it rise for an hour.
2. Roll into an oval shape and add the meat or cheese filling.
3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes.

5. Kumpir (Stuffed Baked Potato)

Why Americans Love It:
A giant baked potato filled with butter, cheese, olives, corn, and various toppings.

Ingredients:

• 1 large potato
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup corn
• 1/4 cup olives
• 1/4 cup pickles

Instructions:

1. Bake the potato at 400°F (200°C) for 60 minutes.
2. Cut in half, mash the inside with butter and cheese, then add toppings.

6. Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs)

Why Americans Love It:
A flavorful and easy-to-make dish similar to shakshuka, perfect for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tomato (chopped)
• 1 green pepper (chopped)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté the peppers and tomatoes in olive oil.
2. Add the eggs and stir until cooked.

7. Manti (Turkish Dumplings)

Why Americans Love It:
Mini dumplings filled with meat and served with garlic yogurt sauce make manti a unique and delicious dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 200g ground beef
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 cup yogurt

Instructions:

1. Roll out the dough and cut into small squares.
2. Fill with meat, fold, and boil for 10 minutes.
3. Serve with yogurt and chili butter.

8. Mercimek Çorbası (Lentil Soup)

Why Americans Love It:
A healthy, hearty, and comforting soup made with red lentils.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America …

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 carrot (chopped)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

1. Sauté onions and carrots, then add lentils and water.
2. Cook for 30 minutes, then blend until smooth.

9. Bulgur Pilavı

Why Americans Love It:
Bulgur pilaf is very popular among Americans because it is healthy and has high nutritional value.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bulgur wheat, whole grain large, washed and drained
  1 onion, chopped
  1 tomato, diced
  1 tsp tomato paste (optional)
  1 banana/green pepper, chopped
  2 tbsp butter/oil
  2 cups hot chicken stock/2 cups hot water and chicken bouillon
  1 tsp salt to taste (1/2 tsp if using chicken bouillon)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, sauté butter/olive oil and onions for about 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Then stir in tomato paste and tomatoes, sauté for about 2 minutes. And then stir in peppers. After a while add bulgur and sauté for 2-3 minutes.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America
   Add hot chicken stock/ hot water and chicken bouillon, and salt.Stir well and turn heat low when it boils. Close the lid and simmer till the bulgur absorbs all the water. Do not stir while cooking.Let it cool for a while with the lid on. Before serving, stir well with a wooden spoon. Then place to a serving plate and garnish with fresh parsley.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America

10.Fırın Sütlaç (Turkish Baked Rice Pudding)

Why Americans Love It:
A chewy, fragrant sweet that pairs well with tea or coffee.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 to 2 cups water, or enough to cover rice
• 4 3/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons whole milk, divided
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 large egg yolk

Instructions:

1. *Cook the Rice*: Rinse the rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and 1 cup of water. Cook over medium heat until the rice absorbs the water and softens (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America …

   2. *Add Milk*: Pour in 3 1/2 cups of the milk and a pinch of salt. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, for about 20-25 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and the mixture thickens slightly.

   3. *Sweeten and Thicken*: In a small bowl, mix the rice flour or cornstarch with the remaining 1/2 cup of milk until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot along with the sugar and vanilla. Stir continuously for another 5-10 minutes until the pudding thickens to a creamy consistency.

   4. *Prepare for Baking*: Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Pour the rice pudding into oven-safe bowls or ramekins, leaving a little space at the top.

   5. *Optional Egg Yolk Topping*: For a golden crust, whisk the egg yolk with a tablespoon of milk and brush it lightly over the surface of each pudding.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America

    

Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America

Where to Buy Turkish Ingredients?

For authentic Turkish ingredients, check out www.tsmartwholesale.com , one of the best online stores for Turkish groceries in the U.S. You can find everything from spices to traditional sweets.Top 10 Most Popular Turkish Dishes in America

Enjoy cooking these delicious Turkish dishes at home and share the flavors of Turkey with your family and friends!

For our retail store please click www.tulumba.com.