Discover how to make authentic Turkish Menemen in minutes! This easy one-pan recipe combines eggs, tomatoes, peppers, and spices for a savory, healthy breakfast or light meal packed with Mediterranean flavor.
Yields: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1-2 green bell peppers (çarliston biberi or sivri biber preferred for authenticity, but any green bell pepper will work), thinly sliced or chopped
- 1-2 red bell peppers (kapya biberi preferred for authenticity), thinly sliced or chopped (optional, but adds sweetness and color)
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained (or about 3-4 ripe medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Turkish red pepper flakes (pul biber) – adjust to your spice preference
- ½ teaspoon cumin (optional, but adds depth)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 4-6 large eggs
- 2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or dill, for garnish
- Crusty bread, for serving
Equipment:
- Large skillet or pan with a lid
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
Step-by-Step Instructions with Pictures:
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Chop the onion finely. Slice or chop the green and red bell peppers. Mince the garlic.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the sliced bell peppers (both green and red, if using) to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften, about 5-7 more minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Step 3: Add Tomatoes and Spices
- Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) into the skillet. Add the Turkish red pepper flakes (pul biber) and cumin (if using). Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and the flavors have melded together. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Step 4: Add the Eggs
- Crack the eggs directly into a mixing bowl. Lightly whisk them together with a fork until the yolks and whites are just combined. Don’t over-whisk, as this can make the eggs tough. You can also choose to crack the eggs directly into the sauce without whisking for a slightly different texture.
- Pour the whisked eggs evenly over the simmering tomato-pepper mixture.
Step 5: Cook the Eggs
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet again, and cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until the eggs are set to your desired consistency. For a slightly runnier yolk, cook for less time. For fully cooked yolks, cook longer. You can gently stir the eggs a couple of times during cooking if you prefer a more evenly scrambled texture.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
- Once the eggs are cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley or dill over the menemen.
- Serve the Turkish menemen hot directly from the pan, accompanied by plenty of crusty bread for dipping into the delicious sauce and eggs. Enjoy immediately!
Tips and Variations:
- Cheese: For an even richer menemen, you can crumble some white Turkish cheese (like beyaz peynir) or feta cheese over the eggs during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Spicier: If you like it extra spicy, add more Turkish red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also use a spicier variety of pepper.
- Meat: While traditional menemen is vegetarian, some variations include cooked sausage or sucuk (Turkish spicy sausage) added during the vegetable sautéing stage.
- Fresh Tomatoes: If using fresh tomatoes, make sure they are ripe. You may need to cook them down a bit longer to release their juices and thicken the sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Eggs: The key to delicious menemen is to have the eggs cooked but still slightly soft and creamy.
- Serve Immediately: Menemen is best enjoyed fresh and hot.
