Most Popular Turkish Foods: How To Make Turkish Lahmacun (Recipe Guide)

Our guide on How To Make Turkish Lahmacun one of the most popular dishes in Turkey.

Lahmacun, also known as Turkish pizza, is a delicious and flavorful dish consisting of a thin, crispy dough topped with a savory mixture of minced meat, vegetables, and spices. It’s traditionally served with fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and sometimes a side of yogurt.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to making Turkish Lahmacun at home, along with some useful tips and calorie information.

Read here the best traditional Turkish breakfast and Is Turkey safe for travel?

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How to Make Turkish Lahmacun

Lahmacun Recipe Ingredients

For the Dough:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
For the Topping:

1/2 pound ground lamb or beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon red pepper paste (optional, for heat)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
For Serving:

Lemon wedges
Fresh parsley or cilantro
Red onion slices
Sumac (optional)
Yogurt (optional)

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Step By Step How to Make Lahmacun

Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, mix the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and add the yeast mixture and olive oil.

Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Topping

In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped tomato, chopped red bell pepper, parsley, tomato paste, red pepper paste (if using), cumin, paprika, black pepper, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined.

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F (250°C) and place a baking stone or an upside-down baking sheet inside to heat up.

Shape the Dough

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6-8 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a very thin circle or oval, about 10-12 inches in diameter.

Assemble the Lahmacun

Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture evenly over each dough circle, pressing it down gently to adhere to the dough.

Bake the Lahmacun

Carefully transfer the lahmacun to the preheated baking stone or baking sheet. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are crispy and the topping is cooked through.

Serve

Serve the lahmacun hot, topped with fresh parsley or cilantro, red onion slices, and a sprinkle of sumac if desired.
Squeeze lemon wedges over the top before eating. You can also serve it with a side of yogurt for dipping.

Tips To Make Lahmacun

Ensure the dough is rolled out very thinly to achieve the characteristic crispiness of lahmacun. Spread the meat mixture evenly and thinly over the dough to ensure it cooks properly.

Baking at a high temperature helps to create a crispy crust. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before baking. Lahmacun is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while it’s still crispy.

How Many Calories Have Lahmacun

Dough (1/6th of the recipe): Approximately 180 calories
Topping (1/6th of the recipe): Approximately 150-200 calories (depends on the meat used)

Total Calories per Serving: Approximately 330-380 calories