Daily Turkish recipes for healthy, easy meal to break fast during Ramadan

Ramadan is a time of reflection, togetherness, and nourishing meals that restore energy after a day of fasting.

Thus, a well-balanced iftar meal not only satisfies hunger but also provides the body with wholesome ingredients that sustain energy levels throughout the night.

Turkish cuisine is perfectly suited for iftar, offering a mix of comforting soups, flavorful vegetable dishes, and naturally sweet desserts.

Today’s menu brings together a selection of Turkish recipes, starting with a smooth tomato soup and a refreshing yogurt-based carrot dip. Slow-cooked green beans complement a hearty vegetarian main course of stuffed bell peppers, while revani, a soft semolina cake soaked in syrup, provides a sweet and satisfying conclusion.

Turkish recipe for comforting start to fast-breaking dinner: Tomato soup (Domates Corbasi)

A simple yet rich tomato soup is a staple among Turkish recipes and makes for an excellent way to break fast. This smooth and lightly spiced soup is made with ripe tomatoes, butter, and a hint of flour to create a velvety texture. It’s often served with a squeeze of lemon juice and fresh herbs for added brightness.

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe tomatoes, grated
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

How to make it:

• Melt butter in a pot, add flour, and stir until golden.
• Add grated tomatoes and cook for a few minutes.
• Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
• Stir in milk and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
• Blend until smooth and serve warm.

Try refreshing Turkish recipe for grated carrot and yogurt dip (Havuclu Tarator)

This easy and nutritious dip is a staple in Turkish recipes, combining the sweetness of carrots with the creamy richness of yogurt and the mild kick of garlic. It’s perfect for dipping warm bread or as a side dish to balance the meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 large carrots, grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups thick yogurt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts (optional)

How to make it:

• Heat olive oil in a pan, add grated carrots, and sauté until softened.
• Let the carrots cool, then mix them with yogurt, garlic, and salt.
• Garnish with walnuts and serve chilled.

Vegetarian Turkish recipe for main course: Stuffed bell peppers with rice (Zeytinyagli Biber Dolmasi)

One of the most beloved Turkish recipes, vegetarian stuffed bell peppers, is filled with a fragrant mixture of rice, herbs, and spices. This olive oil-based dish is traditionally served at room temperature, making it a perfect light yet satisfying main course.

Ingredients:

• 6 bell peppers
• 1 cup rice, rinsed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
• 1 tablespoon currants (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill and parsley

How to make it:

• Sauté onion in olive oil, then add rice, nuts, currants, sugar, salt, and spices.
• Pour in hot water, cover, and cook the rice halfway.
• Stuff the bell peppers with the rice mixture and place them in a pot.
• Add a little water, cover, and simmer until the peppers are tender.
• Let cool slightly before serving.

Stir-fried green beans with olive oil (Zeytinyagli Taze Fasulye)

This classic olive oil-based dish is one of the healthiest Turkish recipes, featuring fresh green beans slow-cooked in a rich tomato sauce. It’s a light yet flavorful side dish that pairs perfectly with rice or bread.

Ingredients:

• 500g green beans, trimmed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water

How to make it:

• Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until soft.
• Add garlic and diced tomatoes, cooking until softened.
• Stir in green beans, salt, black pepper, and sugar.
• Pour in water, cover, and simmer until beans are tender.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

Turkish recipe to make soft semolina cake soaked in syrup (Revani)

Fast-breaking dinner is complete without a dessert, and revani is one of the most famous Turkish recipes. This soft semolina cake absorbs a fragrant syrup, creating a light yet indulgent treat to end the meal.

Ingredients:
For the cake:

• 1 cup semolina
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Zest of 1 lemon

For the syrup:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

How to make it:

• Whisk eggs and sugar until fluffy, then mix in yogurt, oil, and lemon zest.
• Fold in semolina, flour, and baking powder.
• Pour batter into a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden.
• Boil sugar, water, and lemon juice to make the syrup.
• Pour warm syrup over the cooled cake and let it soak before serving.

Today’s fast-breaking dinner menu offers a perfect introduction to the warmth and depth of Turkish cooking, regardless of whether you’re looking for traditional flavors or simply want to explore more Turkish recipes!