Break fast with delicious Turkish recipes in Ramadan 2025

Ramadan is more than a time of fasting—it’s a time for connection, tradition, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.

The iftar (dinner to break fast) table brings together flavors that have been passed down for generations, offering a balance of warmth, nourishment, and indulgence.

Today’s menu pays tribute to Turkish culinary heritage, blending hearty, fragrant, and comforting dishes that make iftar a moment to savor.

• A bowl of tomato with bulgur sets the stage with its smooth texture and rich taste.
• Red lentil patties provide a flavorful, protein-packed appetizer with a satisfying bite
• The highlight of the meal is slow-cooked lamb in a clay pot, a dish that carries centuries of Anatolian cooking traditions
• Crispy oven-baked potatoes with sumac and thyme add a zesty contrast, while sweet cheese pastries soaked in syrup bring a delicate and irresistible finish

Break fast with delicious tomato soup with bulgur (Domatesli Bulgur Corbasi)

A simple yet flavorful Turkish soup, this dish combines the natural sweetness of tomatoes with the heartiness of bulgur, making it perfect to break fast during the iftar.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 large tomatoes, grated or finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fine bulgur
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1 tablespoon butter

How to make it:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
2. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, then add the grated tomatoes and cook for another 3 minutes.
3. Add bulgur, salt, black pepper, dried mint, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth or water, bring to a boil, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until the bulgur is fully cooked.
5. In a small pan, melt the butter and drizzle it over the soup before serving.

Make red lentil patties with scallions, spices (Mercimek Koftesi) for Ramadan 2025

A staple of Turkish cuisine, these spicy, zesty, and herb-infused lentil patties offer a satisfying and protein-rich appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 cup fine bulgur
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon

How to make it:

1. Cook lentils in water until soft and mushy, about 15 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the bulgur. Cover and let it sit for 10 minutes to absorb moisture.
3. In a separate pan, saute the onion in olive oil until soft, then add tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add the sauteed mixture to the lentil-bulgur base, mixing well.
5. Stir in scallions, parsley, and lemon juice.
6. Shape the mixture into small patties and serve at room temperature with lettuce leaves.

Turkish main course recipe to break fast in Ramadan 2025: Slow-cooked lamb in clay pot (Testi Kebabi)

A dish with deep Anatolian roots, testi kebabi is a slow-cooked lamb stew, traditionally prepared in a clay pot to enhance its rich flavors. It is not an easy dish, but the taste is definitely worth the effort and it is perfect to serve in iftar during Ramadan 2025.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs lamb, cut into cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup water or broth

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
2. In a clay pot or oven-safe dish, combine lamb, onion, garlic, tomatoes, and bell peppers.
3. In a small pan, melt butter and mix in tomato paste, salt, black pepper, paprika, thyme, and cumin.
4. Pour the seasoned butter mixture over the lamb and mix well.
5. Add water or broth, cover the clay pot with foil or its lid, and bake for 2 hours until the lamb is tender.
6. Remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes for a slight caramelization. Serve hot.

Perfect Ramadan 2025 side dish: Oven-baked potato wedges with sumac and thyme (Sumakli Patates)

Crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, these oven-roasted potatoes are enhanced with sumac and thyme for a tangy and fragrant side dish.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium potatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
2. In a large bowl, toss the potato wedges with olive oil, sumac, thyme, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
3. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake for 35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
5. Serve hot as a flavorful side.

Finish off iftar meal with sweet cheese pastries with syrup (Lor Tatlisi)

A beloved Turkish dessert, these soft cheese pastries are baked to perfection and soaked in sweet syrup, offering a balance of rich and delicate flavors, which makes it perfect for an iftar table in Ramadan 2025.

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 1 cup ricotta or lor cheese
• 1/2 cup semolina
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened

For the syrup:

• 1.5 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

How to make it:

1. Prepare the syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add lemon juice and set aside to cool.
2. Make the dough: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, semolina, flour, baking powder, sugar, egg, and butter until a soft dough forms.
3. Shape the dough into small rounds or ovals and place them on a lined baking sheet.
4. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Once baked, immediately pour the cooled syrup over the pastries. Let them absorb the syrup for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Every dish in this iftar meal tells a story—of families passing down recipes, of spices mingling in bustling kitchens, and of the shared joy that food brings to the table. The combination of lentils, slow-cooked lamb, crispy potatoes, and a sweet cheese pastry reflects the depth and richness of Turkish cuisine, which offers great recipes to break fast in the iftar during Ramadan 2025.

An iftar meal isn’t just about breaking the fast—it’s about experiencing flavors that have stood the test of time. Whether prepared for family, friends or simply as a personal tradition, these dishes offer comfort and connection with every bite.