Menemen (Turkish Egg Scramble) Recipe
Menemen is a traditional Turkish egg scramble featuring sautéed onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes seasoned with Aleppo pepper, cooked gently with eggs to create a soft, flavorful dish perfect for breakfast or any time of day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Base
- 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
Dairy and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- fine sea salt, to taste
- freshly-cracked black pepper, to taste
Eggs & Garnishes
- 3–4 eggs
- Optional garnishes: sliced chives or chopped parsley, crumbled feta, sliced avocado
Instructions
- Sauté the veggies: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely diced onion and diced green bell pepper. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until they soften and begin to release their aroma.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the canned diced tomatoes with their juices along with 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, and a generous pinch of fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Stir everything together thoroughly and sauté for another 2 minutes until the tomato mixture is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Add the eggs: Crack 3 to 4 eggs directly onto the tomato mixture without stirring initially. Allow the eggs to cook for about 1 minute. Then use a spoon to gently break the yolks and partially stir the eggs into the tomato mix, creating a swirly effect. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 more minutes until the eggs are just barely set yet still soft, which is the traditional texture for menemen.
- Serve: Immediately transfer the menemen to serving plates. Garnish as desired with sliced chives, chopped parsley, crumbled feta, or sliced avocado. Serve alongside crusty sliced bread for dipping to enjoy the full experience.
Notes
- Use Aleppo pepper for authentic flavor; substitute with mild crushed red pepper flakes if unavailable.
- The eggs should be cooked softly; avoid overcooking to maintain the creamy texture.
- Green bell peppers can be substituted with mild red or yellow peppers for a sweeter taste.
- Menemen is best served fresh and hot with crusty bread on the side.
- You can add a bit of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives for garnish to enhance freshness.
Keywords: Menemen, Turkish egg scramble, Turkish breakfast, eggs with tomatoes, Aleppo pepper recipe, vegetarian breakfast
Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/menemen-turkish-egg-scramble-recipe/
