How to Make Homemade Turkish Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza) Easily

If you're craving a taste of Turkey but can't hop on a plane, this homemade Turkish Lahmacun recipe will transport your taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Istanbul. Lahmacun, often referred to as Turkish pizza, is a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a savory mixture of minced meat, vegetables, and spices. Perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or even a snack, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. So, let's get cooking!

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 5 cups of flour
• 1.5-2 cups of warm water
• 1 teaspoon of salt

For the Filling:

• 1 bunch of parsley
• 2 onions (one small, squeezed to remove excess water)
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 15 cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium-sized tomato
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 450 grams of minced meat

Spices:

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Red pepper
• Paprika
• Isot (Urfa pepper)

Additional Ingredients:

• Half a tea glass of olive oil

How to prepare lahmacun dough?

1. Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 5 cups of flour with 1.5-2 cups of warm water. Add the water gradually and mix well after each addition until the dough comes together. The amount of water may vary depending on the type of flour.
2. Once the dough has formed, add 1 teaspoon of salt and knead the dough well.
3. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about the size of a mandarin.
5. Roll each piece of dough into thin circles using a rolling pin. If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can use a plastic wrap roll. Like I did :)

How to prepare the filling for lahmacun?

1. Prepare the Tomatoes: Place the tomatoes in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Prepare the Peppers: Place the green bell pepper and red bell pepper in the food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Prepare the Parsley: Place the parsley in the food processor and blend until smooth.
4. Combine the Vegetables: In a mixing bowl, combine the blended tomatoes, peppers, and parsley.
5. Prepare the Onions: Place the onions in the food processor and blend until smooth. Squeeze the onions with your hands to remove excess water. This will make the lahmacun less watery and reduce the strong onion smell.
6. Add the Minced Meat: Add the squeezed onions and minced meat to the vegetable mixture and mix well.
7. Add Spices: Add salt, black pepper, red pepper, paprika, and isot to taste.
8. Add Olive Oil: Add half a tea glass of olive oil to the mixture and mix thoroughly.

How to combine lahmacun?

1. Preheat your oven to the highest setting (usually around 250°C/482°F).
2. Roll out each piece of dough into thin circles (about 3 mm thick) on a floured surface. Ensure the dough is evenly rolled out and does not tear.
3. Spread the prepared filling evenly over the rolled-out dough circles, leaving a small border around the edges.
4. Place the assembled lahmacun on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.

Serving

1. Serve the lahmacun hot, optionally garnished with grilled and peeled eggplant slices, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
2. Enjoy with a side of ayran (a traditional yogurt drink) and fresh greens.

Notes

• Adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding salt, black pepper, and other spices like red pepper flakes if desired.
• If you don't have a stone oven, a regular oven will work fine. Just ensure it is preheated to the highest temperature possible.

Thank you for trying out my homemade Turkish Lahmacun recipe! Your support on this culinary journey means the world to me.

Writing and perfecting this recipe took a few days, and while it might not be flawless, I poured my heart into sharing the best version with you.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you can see my "buy me a coffee" link down there. Imagine me enjoying a delicious döner with a smile on my face. Just kidding! :)

But if not, no worries—just send some love and good vibes my way.

I hope this recipe brings a taste of Turkey to your home. If you'd like to stay updated with more recipes and culinary tips, please subscribe to my newsletter. I'll be back soon with more delightful recipes and cooking inspiration. Warm regards, Naz