Easy Turkish iftar meal recipe to break fast in Ramadan 2025

When the sun sets and the call to prayer fills the evening air, Muslim families all over the world gather around the table, eager to break their fast with an iftar meal that blends comfort, nourishment, and tradition.

In Türkiye, iftar is more than just eating—it is a moment of togetherness, where age-old recipes bring people closer.

Tonight’s menu features a combination of hearty and refreshing flavors, starting with a classic Turkish red lentil soup, followed by crispy baked zucchini fritters, a creamy yogurt and purslane salad, and an oven-baked meatball dish with vegetables.

The meal is completed with a traditional syrup-soaked dessert, creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Red lentil soup (Mercimek Corbasi) for a warm start to iftar meal

Red lentil soup is a staple in Turkish households, especially during Ramadan. It is light on the stomach yet rich in protein, making it the perfect way to ease into the iftar meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 7 cups water
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté the chopped onion in butter until translucent.
2. Add the minced garlic and flour, stirring for a minute.
3. Rinse the lentils and add them to the pot, followed by water.
4. Let the soup simmer until the lentils are completely soft.
5. Blend the soup until smooth and season with salt, cumin, and black pepper.
6. Serve hot, optionally garnished with a drizzle of melted butter and paprika.

This creamy soup is both nutritious and filling, making it a beloved part of iftar.

Crispy Turkish treat: Baked zucchini fritters (Firinda Mucver)

Mucver is a traditional Turkish dish made with grated zucchini, herbs, and cheese. Unlike the fried version, this recipe is baked, making it a lighter and healthier choice for your iftar meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 zucchinis (grated and drained)
• 2 carrots (grated)
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup white cheese (crumbled)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ cup olive oil
• 6 green onions (chopped)
• ½ bunch parsley (chopped)
• ½ bunch dill (chopped)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp black cumin seeds

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°Farenhiet (200°Celsius).
2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and spread the mixture evenly.
4. Sprinkle sesame and black cumin seeds on top.
5. Bake for about 30–35 minutes until golden brown.
6. Let cool slightly before serving.

These fritters are packed with vegetables and herbs, offering a delicious and crunchy contrast to the meal.

Yogurt and purslane salad (Yogurtlu Semizotu) as refreshing addition to iftar meal

This creamy salad combines yogurt with purslane, a highly nutritious leafy green. It is a cooling addition to any iftar table, helping to balance the heavier dishes.

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch purslane (washed and chopped)
• 1 cup yogurt
• ½ cup strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp dried mint
• ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the yogurt, strained yogurt, minced garlic, and salt.
2. Stir in the chopped purslane and mix well.
3. Garnish with dried mint and a drizzle of olive oil.
4. Serve chilled.

This simple yet flavorful dish is a staple in Turkish cuisine, adding a fresh element to the iftar spread.

Main course of iftar meal: Oven-baked meatballs with vegetables (Firinda Sebzeli Kofte)

This oven-baked dish is a complete meal, featuring juicy meatballs layered with roasted potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes, all brought together with a flavorful sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (400 gram) ground beef
• 2 onions (grated)
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 5 potatoes (sliced)
• 2 green peppers (sliced)
• 2 red peppers (sliced)
• 3 tomatoes (sliced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the sauce:

• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef with grated onions, black pepper, and salt, then form into small meatballs.
2. Fry the sliced potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes lightly in olive oil.
3. Arrange the vegetables and meatballs in a baking dish.
4. Mix the sauce ingredients and pour over the dish.
5. Bake at 375°Farenhiet (190°Celsius) for 40 minutes.

This comforting dish is packed with protein and vegetables, making it a wholesome iftar option.

Iftar meal’s dessert: Syrup-soaked Turkish dessert (Kemalpasa Tatlisi)

Kemalpasa tatlisi is a traditional Turkish dessert made from semolina dough, baked until golden, then soaked in a sweet syrup. This syrupy dessert is the perfect way to complete an iftar meal with a hint of sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups flour
• ½ cup semolina
• ½ cup butter (softened)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sugar (for syrup)
• 1 cup water (for syrup)
• 1 tsp lemon juice (for syrup)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°Farenhiet (175°Celsius).
2. Mix flour, semolina, butter, sugar, egg, and baking powder into a dough.
3. Shape into small balls and place on a baking tray.
4. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.
5. While baking, prepare the syrup by boiling sugar, water, and lemon juice.
6. Once the cookies are baked, pour the warm syrup over them and let them soak.

This iftar meal menu for Ramadan 2025 brings together comforting and nourishing dishes that are deeply rooted in Turkish tradition.

The red lentil soup provides a warm start, the baked zucchini fritters and yogurt-purslane salad offer a refreshing contrast, and the oven-baked meatballs serve as a satisfying main course. Finally, the Kemalpasa dessert adds a sweet finishing touch.