Menemen (Turkish Egg Scramble) Recipe
Menemen is a traditional Turkish egg scramble made by sautéing onions and green peppers, then simmering them with juicy diced tomatoes and flavorful spices before gently incorporating eggs. This savory, soft-textured dish is perfect for a comforting breakfast or brunch and can be enjoyed with crusty bread and optional garnishes like feta or avocado.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Dairy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small white onion, finely diced
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their juices
- 1 tablespoon butter
Spices
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- fine sea salt, to taste
- freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
Eggs
- 3–4 eggs
Optional Garnishes
- Sliced chives or chopped parsley
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Sliced avocado
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and diced green bell pepper, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium, then add the canned diced tomatoes with their juices, the tablespoon of butter, 1 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper, and season generously with fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir the mixture to combine evenly and sauté for another 2 minutes until the tomatoes are heated through.
- Add the eggs: Crack the eggs directly over the tomato and vegetable mixture. Allow the eggs to cook undisturbed for about 1 minute to begin setting. Using a spoon, gently break the yolks and partially stir the eggs into the tomato base, maintaining a swirly texture rather than fully mixing everything. Continue cooking until the eggs are softly set but still moist, about 3 to 4 minutes in total, depending on your preference.
- Serve: Immediately transfer the menemen to plates or bowls. Add your choice of optional garnishes such as sliced chives, chopped parsley, crumbled feta, or avocado slices. Serve warm with crusty sliced bread to dip for a complete meal.
Notes
- Menemen is best enjoyed fresh and warm, as the eggs continue to cook and dry out as they cool.
- Aleppo pepper adds a mild heat and fruity flavor; if unavailable, a mild chili powder or paprika can be substituted.
- Adjust the number of eggs based on serving size and appetite.
- Traditional menemen is soft and slightly runny, but you can cook the eggs longer if you prefer firm scrambled eggs.
- Optional garnishes enhance the dish but aren’t necessary for a traditional experience.
Keywords: menemen, Turkish egg scramble, breakfast, eggs, tomatoes, Aleppo pepper, soft scrambled eggs, traditional Turkish recipe
Find it online: https://annakocht.com/menemen-turkish-egg-scramble-recipe/
