The world of Turkish cuisine is incredibly diverse, especially when it comes to appetizers!
These little snacks are full of flavor and often utilize fresh, local ingredients.
I’ve compiled a list of 15 amazing Turkish appetizers that are sure to be a hit at your next party.
1. Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kisir)
If you are looking for a nutritious and flavorful appetizer, Turkish bulgur salad is a fantastic choice. I enjoy this dish due to its great texture and unique flavor.
As far as appetizers go, you could honestly eat this as a meal. It’s loaded with tomato paste and pomegranate molasses, so the end result is incredibly flavorful.
2. Turkish Zucchini Fritters (Kabak Mücveri)
Is there anything better than a crispy veggie fritter? You can serve them as a simple snack, or as a side dish alongside some perfectly roasted chicken. They’re extra special because they include dill and feta in the mix.
When preparing this dish, be sure to grate and salt your zucchini, which will give it time to get rid of any excess moisture that would otherwise prevent the fritter from crisping up properly in the pan.
3. Turkish Beans
Prepare to meet the ideal little side dish for pretty much any meal. Instead of sweet BBQ beans, these beans feature tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots. The Mediterranean seasoning makes them a flavorful addition to any plate.
Although cranberry beans have a slightly milder flavor than pinto beans and are very common in Turkey, you can still use pinto beans if that’s your only option.
4. Turkish Fava Bean Puree
With hints of nuts, sweetness, and even cheese, fava beans have a wonderfully unique flavor. This appetizer is very popular in Turkey, and can be prepared to be firm or more like a dip.
The puree can be served as a bite-sized snack or sliced and served with crackers as a cheese alternative when kept firm. To turn it into a dip, just add some lemon juice and extra oil for a tasty alternative to hummus.
5. Turkish Borek Recipe with Cheese and Herbs
This simple pie was a huge hit at my last get-together. With its salty feta, leeks, and parsley, this borek is light, crisp, and delicious.
Make sure to add yogurt to the egg wash, which will infuse moisture and flavor into the flaky pastry. If you want to make even more, you can double your pie and add an extra layer of filling to the mix.
6. Turkish Tomato Cucumber Salad
The color has to be my favorite aspect of this recipe. It is a vivid, beautiful dish that will brighten up any table.
And then, there’s the taste! Juicy tomatoes, crunchy onions, and perfectly ripe peppers and cucumbers are tossed in a simple dressing, creating a light and fresh flavor.
7. Turkish Eggplant Salad Recipe
I know that people often have mixed feelings about eggplant; I suspect that the texture might have something to do with that. Similar to mushrooms, eggplant can end up rubbery if cooked improperly.
Although eggplant has a mild flavor on its own, it’s also incredibly porous, allowing it to soak up flavors like a sponge. This vegetable becomes rich and creamy when roasted, especially when paired with tomatoes, parsley, and pistachios for added color.
8. Easy Hummus Recipe (Authentic and Homemade)
Okay, I know I said before that hummus was boring, but I didn’t mean it! I promise!
The truth is, I actually love hummus, and you can pretty much always find it in my fridge. Store-bought versions, though, don’t hold a candle to this incredibly easy homemade recipe.
I suggest roasting my garlic to both deepen the flavor and achieve a creamier finish. Also, for the same reason, I like to peel my chickpeas; but if you don’t mind the texture, you can skip that step.
9. Best Fried Eggplant Recipe with Tomatoes
Between the juicy roasted tomatoes and those crisp garlic chips, I could honestly eat this dish for every meal of the day.
If you want to achieve the perfect texture for your eggplant, be sure to salt your slices and allow them to ‘sweat’ for around 45 minutes. That will pull out any extra moisture, preparing them perfectly for frying.
Keep an eye on the skin; you may want to peel them before slicing and cooking if your eggplants have thick skin.
10. Turkish Sigara Borek Recipe
The only way I can describe these is calling them Turkish taquitos! They’re warm, crisp, and full of melted cheese, making them a serious upgrade from those sad, soggy mozzarella sticks.
For the filling, try using feta or a feta alternative. You’ll want to avoid anything too watery, like cream cheese. But feel free to add anything else that you think would be good.
For instance, I enjoy throwing in some onions or even leftover chicken. Because phyllo guarantees a crispy shell, you’ll have a batch ready to go in only 30 minutes.
11. Turkish Spicy Ezme Salad
With tomatoes, onion, garlic, and parsley, this recipe is almost like a Turkish version of chimichurri. This salad is excellent on pretty much anything, from kebabs to burgers to chicken.
Pomegranate molasses is definitely one of the key ingredients. While you can easily prepare your own, there’s really no great substitute for the vibrant color it provides. As tempting as it may be to throw everything in a food processor, the best results actually come from dicing everything by hand, which keeps it from becoming too moist.
12. Greek Yogurt Turkish Flatbread (Bazlama)
If you’ve been wanting to make homemade flatbread but don’t have a mixer, this recipe is perfect. You only need one bowl and minimal kneading to prepare this soft and tender flatbread recipe, which also requires just 15 minutes of rest time.
Greek yogurt (or a Greek yogurt substitute) is incorporated into the dough, giving it a tangy flavor and adding moisture. Feel free to make them as large or small as you like and serve them with dinner.
Or, you could follow the recipe, cook them in the pan, add tomatoes and cheese, and broil them until they’re bubbling to transform them into pizzas!
13. Turkish Bread (Pide)
I fell in love with these pizza-like bread boats many years ago. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s a cross between a savory pie and stuffed bread, this might be just what you’re looking for.
You can prepare the dough by hand, requiring minimal kneading to create a smooth dough. After it has rested and been portioned, you will need to roll out a relatively thin oval shape, before filling the middle with your desired filling.
Personally, I recommend the feta and mozzarella mixture; then, pinch the two ends to create a canoe shape.
14. Roasted Red Pepper Dip (Muhammara Recipe)
If you’re bored of the same old hummus, this dip is sure to impress, delivering notes of sweet, smoky, and spicy goodness. One important thing to keep in mind is that this recipe calls for toasted walnuts to achieve that creamy texture.
If you’d prefer a nut-free version, you can use cashews or chickpeas instead. And if you can’t find pomegranate molasses at your local grocery store, don’t worry; you can prepare your own very easily.
15. 20-Minute Turkish Vegetarian Meatballs
Here’s a great ‘meaty’ meatball alternative for vegans! I love discovering new vegan alternatives, and this one certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Thanks to the red lentils and bulgar wheat, these meatballs are incredibly filling. If I had to make one suggestion, I would suggest frying them after you’ve formed your meatballs, ensuring that you achieve a nice crust on the outside.