If you’re looking for a delicious and versatile dish, look no further than Menemen! This traditional Famous Turkish Egg Dish is packed with fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheese, making it perfect for any meal of the day. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a mouthwatering Menemen that’s both rich and flavorful.
Ingredients for MENEMEN / Famous Turkish Egg Dish Recipe:
- Tomatoes:
I used 1 large common tomato (similar to beef tomato) and 2 plum tomatoes (meaty and ideal for cooking) You can use whatever is available on the market. Of course it is always better to have fresh from the season but if not, try frozen chopped tomatoes or canned.
- Peppers: 2-3 sweet or mild peppers
In Türkiye we have sweet, mild and hot pepper types. Thin “kıl biber” is commonly used at homes if available but light green peppers and “köy biberi” in darker green color which isnt spicy as well are also commonly used.
- Cheese:
70g (about 3-4 slices) Kashar cheese (mozzarella-like, for melting)
Or use 80g Turkish white cheese (Beyaz Peynir, feta-like) – optional - 3-4 eggs (adjust based on preference)
- Seasonings:
Salt and “pul biber” chili flakes to taste - Fats:
2 tablespoons butter
2-3 tablespoons olive oil - Optional Additions:
1 onion (chopped, if desired)
1-2 cloves garlic (sliced, if desired)
100g sujuk or pastrami (diced, for extra flavor)
Instructions for Famous Turkish Egg Dish:
Although Turkish egg dish Menemen can be eaten any time of the day, it is one of staple egg dish in Turkish breakfast. So before I begin to make the menemen, I always first brew a Turkish tea and prepare the breakfast so they can be ready to company along with hot menemen.
Brew Turkish Tea (Optional)
- If you’re making Turkish tea, use a double pot boiler. Add 3 tablespoons of tea leaves to the top pot. Pour hot water (wait for 15 seconds after the water is boiled) over it and place over the big pot that has hot enough hot water. Place on stove top on medium low and brew for 20-25 minutes. You can add a bergamot tea bag if you like. (Check the video for more details)
Here are some of the essential things I use when preparing Turkish breakfast like tea pot, saucers, and copper pan for egg dishes to serve
Turkish Teapot Set, Double Tea Maker with Heat Resistant Handles: https://amzn.to/3YMWsGq
6 pcs Porcelain Tea Saucers: https://amzn.to/3SPyqa7
Handcrafted Copper Egg Pan: https://amzn.to/4dKpue1
Prepare A Turkish Breakfast Sides
- Slice cucumbers and additional tomatoes for fresh sides.
- Arrange black and green olives, and serve with homemade kumquat jam, fig jam, and honey with comb.
Prepare the Vegetables for Famous Turkish Egg Dish
- Dice the tomatoes into medium-sized chunks. If the skin is too thick, you can peel them.
- Slice the peppers. For a balanced heat, use a combination of light green and dark green peppers. If using, slice the capia pepper and “köy biberi” as well.
Cook the Menemen
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. If using, add chopped onions and garlic at this stage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the sliced peppers and sauté until they soften, about 5 minutes. Cover the pan to help steam the peppers.
- Add the diced tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spoon or potato masher to lightly mash the tomatoes, creating a chunky sauce.
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk lightly. Pour the beaten eggs over the tomato and pepper mixture.
- Tear the Kashar cheese into pieces and scatter over the eggs. Cover the pan and cook until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with crusty Turkish bread or any bread of your choice. Enjoy the rich, cheesy, and tomatoey goodness!
Also check these similar breakfast dishes you would love:
No Yeast No Oven Easy Pita Breads
Turkish Hard Boiled Eggs Kapama
Turkish Eggs Cilbir – All You Need To Know
Authentic Turkish Kır Pide: A Taste of Turkey at Home
Tips:
- For a lighter version, skip the onion and garlic.
- Add sujuk or pastrami for extra flavor, but remember this is optional.
How To Make MENEMEN, Famous Turkish Egg Dish
This traditional Turkish breakfast Menemen is packed with fresh vegetables, eggs, and cheese, making it perfect for any meal of the day.
Ingredients
Tomatoes
- 1 large common tomato similar to beef tomato and 2 plum tomatoes (meaty and ideal for cooking) You can use whatever is available on the market. Of course it is always better to have fresh from the season but if not, try frozen chopped tomatoes or canned.
Peppers:
- 2-3 medium sweet or mild peppers Thin “kıl biber” is commonly used at homes if available but light green peppers and “köy biberi” in darker green color which isnt spicy as well are also commonly used.
Cheese:
- 70 g about 3-4 slices Kashar cheese (mozzarella-like, for melting)
- 80 g 80g Turkish white cheese Beyaz Peynir, feta-like – optional
- 3-4 medium eggs adjust based on preference
Seasonings:
- 1/2 tsp Salt and “pul biber” chili flakes to taste optional
Fats:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Optional Additions:
- 1 medium onion, chopped optional
- 1-2 cloves garlic, sliced optional
- 50-70 g sujuk or pastrami, sliced for extra flavor
Instructions
Prepare the Vegetables
- Dice the tomatoes into medium-sized chunks. If the skin is too thick, you can peel them.
- Slice the peppers. For a balanced heat, use a combination of light green and dark green peppers. If using, slice the capia pepper and “köy biberi” as well.
Cook the Menemen
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. If using, add chopped onions and garlic at this stage. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the sliced peppers and sauté until they soften, about 5 minutes. Cover the pan to help steam the peppers.
- Add the diced tomatoes and a pinch of salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften and release their juices, about 5-7 minutes. Use a spoon or potato masher to lightly mash the tomatoes, creating a chunky sauce.
- Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk lightly. Pour the beaten eggs over the tomato and pepper mixture.
- Tear the Kashar cheese into pieces and scatter over the eggs. Cover the pan and cook until the eggs are set and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with crusty Turkish bread or any bread of your choice. Enjoy the rich, cheesy, and tomatoey goodness!
I hope you enjoy making and eating this classic Turkish Menemen. If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out! Share your comments and any other classic dishes you’d like to see on the blog.
Thanks for reading, and happy cooking!
