Daily Turkish recipes for perfect iftar meal in Ramadan 2025

Breaking fast with a well-balanced meal is essential during Ramadan 2025, and this iftar menu brings together rich, flavorful dishes that satisfy without feeling too heavy.

The selection includes a mix of comforting warmth, fresh ingredients, and a naturally sweet finish—ensuring a fulfilling yet nourishing experience.

The meal begins with roasted bell pepper soup, a velvety, smoky starter with a hint of sweetness. A spicy red lentil dip with olive oil follows, offering a smooth and mildly fiery appetizer perfect for pairing with fresh bread.

• For the main course, stuffed artichokes with ground meat bring a hearty and nutritious centerpiece, combining tender artichoke hearts with savory, spiced filling
• On the side, fresh pomegranate and walnut salad adds a refreshing crunch with a balance of tartness and nutty depth
• Finally, a walnut and honey syrup cake provides a subtly sweet ending, soaked in honey syrup and packed with the richness of walnuts

Roasted bell pepper soup (Kirmizi Biber Corbasi) to kick off Ramadan 2025 iftar meal

This smooth and flavorful soup captures the natural sweetness of roasted bell peppers, enhanced with garlic and spices, for a comforting yet light start to the meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 red bell peppers (roasted and peeled)
• 1 small onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• ½ cup heavy cream or yogurt (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot; sauté onion and garlic until soft.
2. Add roasted bell peppers, broth, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Stir in heavy cream or yogurt if using.
4. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.

Healthy appetizer: Spicy red lentil dip with olive oil (Kirmizi Mercimek Ezmesi)

A bold and flavorful spread made with red lentils, spices, and olive oil, perfect for dipping bread or spreading on crackers during your iftar meal in Ramadan 2025.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Juice of half a lemon

Instructions:

1. Boil the red lentils in water until soft and fully absorbed. Let cool.
2. Blend the cooked lentils with olive oil, spices, and lemon juice until smooth.
3. Adjust seasoning and drizzle with extra olive oil before serving.

Stuffed artichokes with ground meat (Etli Enginar Dolmasi) as iftar meal’s star in Ramadan 2025

Artichoke hearts are filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, onions, and herbs, then slowly cooked for maximum tenderness.

Ingredients:

• 4 large artichoke hearts
• 250g ground beef or lamb
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup water or broth

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pan; cook onion and garlic until soft. Add ground meat, tomato paste, and spices, cooking for 5–7 minutes.
2. Stuff the artichoke hearts with the mixture.
3. Place them in a pan, add water or broth, and cover. Simmer on low heat for 30–40 minutes until tender.
4. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs or yogurt.

Fresh twist to Ramadan 2025 meal with pomegranate mollasses, walnut salad (Nar Eksili Salata)

A refreshing and crunchy salad with a balance of tart and nutty flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• ½ cup walnuts (chopped)
• 1 small cucumber (diced)
• 1 tomato
• ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1 handful of fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, tossing gently.
2. Drizzle with olive oil and pomegranate molasses.
3. Mix well and serve fresh.

Sweet ending to iftar meal in Ramadan 2025 with Walnut and honey syrup cake (Cevizli Balli Revani)

This classic Turkish cake is soaked in honey syrup and loaded with walnuts for a lightly sweet, satisfying dessert, perfect to finish off Ramadan 2025 iftar meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup yogurt
• ½ cup semolina
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup chopped walnuts

For the syrup:

• 1 cup honey
• ½ cup water
• Juice of half a lemon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease a baking dish.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy. Mix in yogurt, semolina, flour, baking powder, and walnuts.
3. Pour into the baking dish and bake for 25–30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat honey, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan until combined.
5. Pour the syrup over the warm cake and let it soak before serving.

Today’s iftar menu for Ramadan 2025 brings together vibrant colors, bold flavors, and a satisfying mix of textures.

The smoky bell pepper soup and spicy lentil dip contrast beautifully with the rich, savory stuffed artichokes, while the pomegranate walnut salad adds a refreshing balance. The meal concludes with a light, nutty dessert infused with honey, making it a perfect end to the evening of Ramadan 2025.