Savour the Flavours with Savoury Turkish Breakfast Foods!
When it comes to breakfast in Türkiye, world-renowned savoury Turkish dishes turn each and every breakfast spread into a feast
Eggs with pastrami and sujuk for breakfast (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Versatile and Nutritious, Eggs Are Delicious!
When you say “kahvaltı” in Türkiye, one of the first things that comes to mind is the rich variety of Turkish egg recipes.
While it is common to serve hard or soft-boiled eggs, served in special egg holders at a breakfast spread, Türkiye also offers more sophisticated egg recipes to try.
Fried eggs for Turkish breakfast (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Sahanda Yumurta (Sunny Side Up Eggs)
One must savour the buttery sunny side up eggs cooked in traditional Turkish copper pans using creamy Turkish butter, tereyağı.
Menemen, an egg-based Turkish breakfast dish (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
In addition to humble egg recipes, there are countless tempting egg dishes served at a breakfast spread such as the vegetarian go-to, menemen, which is prepared with tomatoes, peppers and eggs, and sucuklu yumurta, a spicy alternative for meat lovers.
A platter of cheese (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Cheese Makes Everything Better!
Great news for cheese lovers. As approximately 200 different kinds of cheese are produced in Türkiye, and various types of cheese are served at Turkish breakfast, each unique to a different region.
Gruyere cheese from Kars (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Some of the notable types of cheese for breakfast include: İzmir Tulum, Çeçil, Çökelek, Eski Kaşar.
A platter of İzmir Tulum cheese (2023)GoTürkiye
İzmir Tulum Cheese
Kaşar cheese (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Eski Kaşar
A platter of Çeçil cheese and Örgü cheese (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Çeçil Cheese
Turkish breakfast spread to energize your mornings (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Traditionally, the type of cheese served at breakfast depends on the season. During the spring and summer months, when the fresh milk supply is high, fresh cheeses such as çökelek, lor, and taze peynir are served intensively.
In winter, tulum, Ezine, Mihaliç that are prepared during the summer months and stored in cellars, are more popular.
Turkish breakfast specialty from Black Sea: Kuymak (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Kuymak & Mıhlama
Turkish breakfast specialty from Black Sea: Kuymak (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Though cheese is mostly consumed as is, there are two sensational cheese dishes that are originally prepared in the Black Sea region yet gained popularity throughout the country thanks to their incredible flavours.
Kuymak and mıhlama, prepared with a type of local cheese, corn flour and butter, are enjoyed best by scooping up the piping hot creamy cheesy goodness with freshly baked crunchy bread.
Traditional olive cracking (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Zeytin, Olives
Olives have an important place on the breakfast tables around Türkiye.
Bursa Gemlik Olive (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Different types of olives at different maturity levels go through various processes to take their places at Turkish breakfast tables.
There is often more than just one type of olive at a superb breakfast spread.
Turkish olives and olive oil (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
They are sometimes named according to their maturity level, such as green and black olives.
Sometimes, the production technique, such as brining or marinating, gives the olive its name.
Turkish olives and olive oil (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
While there are already numerous types of olives to be served at breakfast, the addition of different herbs and condiments such as olive oil, lemon, black pepper and thyme makes it easy for anyone to find their perfect olive at any Turkish breakfast table.
Sucuk, spiced Turkish sausages (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Nice to Meat You!
Craving for some red meat? Well, Turkish breakfast has got you covered with an exquisite selection of beef.
Turkish pastrami, a breakfast specialty in Central Anatolia (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Widely popular throughout the nation, especially in the provinces of Kayseri and Kastamonu with pastırma, and Afyon with sucuk, Turkish cured meats are made with distinctive blends of aromatic spices.
Hummus with pastrami (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Pastırma & Sucuk
Prepared by drying the meat during summer with a spice paste, çemen and salt, pastırma can be enjoyed as is, or lightly roasted with eggs.
Sucuk, spiced Turkish sausages (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Unlike pastırma, sucuk is prepared by mixing spices and salt with ground beef. Then, the prepared spicy mixture is filled into cleaned and dried intestinal membranes and dried in the sun.
Turkish pastrami, a breakfast specialty in Central Anatolia (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Both pastırma and sucuk, stored in suitable conditions, are tempting additions to any Turkish breakfast spread.
A variety of Turkish jams (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Sweet Turkish Breakfast Foods
If your sweet tooth is calling, these delightful foods at a Turkish breakfast will surely satisfy your cravings.
Turkish comb honey (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Thanks for Bee-ing a Friend!
No meal is complete without dessert! And Turkish breakfast brings the bright flavours of locally produced honey, jams and marmalades to the table every morning.
Turkish pine honey (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
As Türkiye ranks second in the world honey production with an annual production over 100,000 tons, honey is a breakfast staple, especially served over churned butter, tereyağı.
Turkish honey and clotted cream (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
While it could be enjoyed on its own, honey pairs wonderfully well with kaymak, a creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream.
Eggplant jam (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Reçel & Marmelat, Jam & Marmalade
Even the humblest breakfasts at home in Türkiye have a selection of jams and marmalades on the table. So if you wish to try a variety of sweet flavoursürkiye offers an extraordinary array of jams and marmalades including cherry, rose, elderberry and even eggplant.
Grape molasses (2023)GoTürkiye
A Sweet Escape with Tahin Pekmez!
For those who seek a more adventurous taste, the most traditional bonne bouche of a Turkish breakfast is tahin pekmez, known for its nutty and rich flavour. It is an exciting mix of tahini with pekmez, and grape molasses, that perfectly complements any pastry at a Turkish breakfast.
Various items in a Turkish breakfast spread (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
And Everything in Between
Hot out of the oven bread with fresh cut veggies and dip, anyone?
Turkish Breakfast Spread
Turkish breakfast pastry varieties (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Bake the World a Better Place
Sourdough, whole wheat, rye… These are only a fraction of Turkey's incredible array of bread varieties! It is common for bread to be the centrepiece of any Turkish breakfast spread as it not only fills but also enhances the flavour of each bite.
Turkish simit, sesame rolls (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
There are simpler pastries for a quick bite such as simit, ring-shaped bread coated in sesame seeds.
Cornmeal Poğaça (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
As well as , poğaça, a savoury roll with various fillings, and açma, a type of soft savoury pastry, and there are far more intricate recipes that are quite a feast on their own.
Çibörek (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
The Must-haves at a Turkish Breakfast
Gözleme - a savoury stuffed turnover, Pişi - fried bread puffs, Çi Börek - deep fried savoury turnovers, Kalem böreği - Turkish filo rolls, and, Puf böreği.
Turkish breakfast with vegetarian options (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Vegetarians are in Luck!
The lively taste of fresh vegetables is a must for any breakfast spread in Türkiye. Fresh-cut tomatoes and cucumbers take their places as refreshing palate cleansers between sweet and savoury bites.
Green salad with pomegranates (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
In addition to these vegetables, locally grown greens such as basil, mint, parsley, and zahter, a fresh thyme salad, are served at breakfast for those who eat their greens.
Locally produced tomatoes blended with olive oil, basil, thyme, pomegranate syrup and/or garlic are not only a healthy option but also bring forth the quality of the organic produce.
Another intriguing option is salça, a flavourful tomato paste made with an exotic mix of herbs with locally grown tomatoes. And it is enjoyed best as the perfect topping for any and all pastries.
Dried fruits and nuts (2023) by GoTürkiyeGoTürkiye
Turkish people usually keep a bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruit, such as pistachios, almonds, dried apricots and even figs on hand for snacking, and this applies to breakfast time as well.
