Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (2024)

Home » Recipes » Menemen Recipe (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Peppers)

by Mike Hultquist · Sep 23, 2022 · 36 Comments · Jump to Recipe

This menemen recipe makes the best Turkish style scrambled eggs with peppers, tomatoes, and seasonings, the perfect breakfast or anytime meal, easy to make!

Turkish Scrambled Eggs - Menemen

If you've ever enjoyed Shakshuka, I think you'll also enjoy this Turkish recipe that brings your scrambled eggs to a whole new level.

We're talking Menemen, and it will add a bit of rock and roll to your breakfast. Or dinner!

What is Menemen?

Menemen is a traditional Turkish dish that includes eggs, peppers, tomatoes and spices that are all cooked down in a pan with oil. It is sometimes called the "Turkish Omelet". Like Shakshuka or similar egg dishes, you can serve it as a Turkish breakfast, but it can be and is often served as the main course.

Menemen is different from shakshuka in how the eggs are cooked. With shakshuka, you crack the eggs into the sauce and let them set that way. With memenem, the eggs are scrambled.

It is usually served with some crusty bread for sopping up all the pan sauce, and I highly recommend doing so. You don't want any of that awesomeness going to waste.

Let's talk about how to make Menemen, shall we?

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (2)

Menemen Ingredients

Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Memenen is traditionally made with olive oil, but use butter or ghee for more luxurious eggs.
Onion. Optional. The use of onion is debated in more traditional menemen, but I enjoy the added flavor.
Peppers. Use Aleppo or Urfa Biber if you can find them, or use red or green bell peppers for a more common variety. I also like to add in some spicier chilies for a bit of heat factor for myself.
Chili Flakes. Aleppo chili flakes are preferred, but paprika or cayenne are good subs.
Garlic.
Tomatoes. Use grated or chopped tomatoes with their juices.
Eggs.
Shredded Cheese. You can make menenem without cheese, but the addition of a good melty cheese like mozzarella or Monterrey jack makes this more like a great cheese omelet.
Salt and Black Pepper. To taste.
For Serving. Crusty bread or small tortillas, spicy chili flakes, crumbly feta cheese or queso fresco, fresh chopped herbs (parsley, basil, or chives).

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (3)

How to Make Menemen - The Recipe Method

Heat the Oil or Butter. First, heat up a large pan to medium heat and add in your olive oil (or butter).

Onions and Peppers. Add the onion and peppers and cook them down about 5 minutes, until everything is nice and softened.

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (4)

From my understanding, there is debate on whether or not to include onion with traditional Menemen, so feel free to omit them. I included them because I love the flavor.

Garlic. Next, add the garlic and chili flakes and cook another minute until you can smell the gorgeous garlic. So good.

Tomatoes and Seasonings. Add in your tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and stir them up. Cover and cook them down until the tomatoes soften and lose some of their juices.

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (5)

Don’t let the pan dry out. About 10 minutes or so.

Add Cheese. Sprinkle in half of the shredded cheese.

Add the Eggs. Next, beat the eggs in a bowl very lightly, then pour them into the pan with the pepper and tomato sauce.

Tilt the pan a bit to let the egg mixture drip into the many nooks and crannies of your tomato mixture. Do not mix it through.

Add More Cheese. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Cover and Cook. Cover the pan and cook the eggs for several minutes at medium low heat, or until the eggs are starting to set. Remove from heat and let the eggs finish cooking in the warm sauce, a few minutes more. If you prefer your eggs more set, just cook them longer as desired.

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (6)

Garnish and Serve. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, crumbly feta cheese and spicy red pepper flakes. Serve with warmed bread or tortillas.

Boom! Done! Looks great, doesn't it? Grab a fork! Go to town!

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (7)

Recipe Notes & Tips for Success

The Oil. Oil or butter are key. It may sound like a lot of oil, but it is necessary for the final flavor of the dish, so don't skimp on the oil.
Cooking the Eggs. Beat the eggs very lightly for fluffier scrambled eggs. Also, just pour them in the pan to let the eggs run through the nooks and crannies of the sauce, but you can stir them in more thoroughly if you’d like. I enjoy the small islands of sauce that form up for a bit of variety with each bite.
Add Meats. Add meats, like crumbly sausage or chicken, to make it a fuller meal.

Serving Menemen

Don't forget the crusty bread so you can soak up all that wonderful pan sauce that remains. You can serve Menemen with tortillas for a nice breakfast taco.

Storage

Store any leftover menenem in shallow, airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can gently reheat them in a pan to enjoy again.

About the Chili Peppers

Menemen is best if you can use peppers from the Turkish region, such as Aleppo peppers or Urfa Bibers, but you can sub them for any local peppers grown or sold in your area.

Great choices are red bell peppers or any Italian sweet red peppers, like the Corno di Toro or Carmen Italians, or try it with New Mexican varieties, or easy to fine Anaheim peppers.

I feel it works best with thicker walled peppers that have a bit of heat to them for more substance, but in reality, most red or green peppers will do.

That's it, my friends! Let me know what you think about my Turkish Menemen recipe! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Get the Ingredients

Aleppo Pepper (Amazon affiliate link, my friends!) - Makes this dish really stand out, but you can use it in many other recipes.

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Migas
Shakshuka
Jacked-Shuka - Extra Spicy Eggs in Hell
Chilaquiles Rojos with Ancho Chili Sauce
Chilaquiles Verdes
Huevos con Chorizo
Spicy Pepper Lover's Omelet
Huevos Rancheros Casserole

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (8)

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Peppers)

This menemen recipe makes the best Turkish style scrambled eggs with peppers, tomatoes, and seasonings, the perfect breakfast or anytime meal, easy to make!

Save Recipe

Course: Breakfast, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern

Keyword: Aleppo peppers, eggs, spicy

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Calories: 473kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil (or use butter or ghee)
1 small onion optional - diced (white or yellow)
1 cup chopped peppers See comments above - use Aleppo or Urfa Biber if you can find them, or use red bell peppers for a common variety
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon spicy chili flakes Aleppo preferred, but paprika or cayenne are good subs
1.5 cups grated or diced tomatoes with their juices
1/4 cup shredded melty cheese optional - (use mozarella, Monterrey jack, or similar cheese)
5 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
FOR SERVING: Crusty bread or small tortillas, spicy chili flakes, crumbly feta cheese, fresh chopped parsley or basil

Instructions

Heat a large pan to medium heat and add the olive oil (or butter).
Add the onion and peppers and cook them down about 5 minutes, until softened.
Add the garlic and chili flakes and cook another minute.
Add the tomatoes with a bit of salt and pepper and stir them up. Cook them down until the tomatoes soften and lose some of their juices. Don’t let the pan dry out. About 10 minutes or so.
Sprinkle in half of the shredded cheese.
Beat the eggs in a bowl very lightly, then pour them into the pan. Tilt the pan a bit to let the egg mixture drip into the many nooks and crannies of your sauce. Do not mix it through too much. Top with remaining cheese.
Cover and cook them several minutes, or until the eggs are starting to set. Remove from heat and let the eggs finish cooking in the warm sauce, a few minutes more. If you prefer your eggs more set, just cook them longer as desired.
Sprinkle with fresh herbs, crumbly feta cheese and spicy chili flakes. Serve with warmed bread or tortillas.

Video

Notes

Heat Factor: Mild, though you can spice things up with extra spicy chili flakes or some chili powder, or toss in a hot pepper of your choice.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 473kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 20gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 422mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 750mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1487IUVitamin C: 82mgCalcium: 255mgIron: 5mg

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 9/23/22 to include new information and video. It was originally published on 11/5/18.

Reader Interactions

Comments

Dirk Dangler says
December 06, 2023 at 3:27 am

Step 9: put the dang tortilla chips in!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  December 06, 2023 at 6:45 am
  
  There you go!
  Reply
ELIZABETH says
November 20, 2023 at 1:40 pm

Made this with what I had on hand, so bell peppers and tomatoes (would have added onions if I'd had them); sauteed them in a combination of olive oil and butter. Added garlic and eggs and then topped with a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan. Used salt and pepper on the veggies and "everything but the bagel" seasoning in the eggs. Not really a fan of much heat, so didn't amp that up, although I might add crushed red pepper and/or paprika next time. Very tasty and easy breakfast!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  November 20, 2023 at 2:14 pm
  
  Excellent! Glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth!
  Reply
Banks says
November 19, 2023 at 9:28 pm

Loved this, Mike. We used sweet orange/red peppers and a jalapeno. We added some chopped bacon at the end for some added protein.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  November 20, 2023 at 6:38 am
  
  Wonderful! Glad you enjoyed it, Banks!
  Reply
Sherri Boss says
August 07, 2023 at 3:06 pm

Made this for my husband for breakfast today he loved it. I’m not a breakfast person, but I ate two helpings it was that good. Needless to say there were no leftovers. Thank you for this delicious recipe. All your recipes look amazing!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  August 08, 2023 at 7:05 am
  
  Awesome to hear, Sherri! I love it! Glad you both enjoyed it.
  Reply
  See Also
  17 Must-Try Amaranth Recipes That Will Have You Going Gaga Over This New Trendy Grain
Ed Moder says
July 12, 2023 at 4:54 pm

I made this for dinner! It was delicious! I found this by browsing your quick and easy drop down. This is where I am going to look some more. It truly was easy. My only problem was I didn't get the second page from the printer and so I missed steps 7 and 8 lol. My bad!
.
I used the specified 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes, some green peppers, one poblano, and 1 of those tiny and very spicy chili peppers from Connie's garden. I thought it was 1 alarm, but Connie says at least 1-1/2. I think she is more sensitive than I am.
.
I think I will look for some more egg dishes.
.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  July 13, 2023 at 6:09 am
  
  Glad you enjoyed it, Ed! I assume you finally did follow step 7, right? Cooking it? Haha. Thanks for sharing!
  Reply
Douglas Forney says
June 28, 2023 at 7:22 pm

Great! I made it as dinner with chopped chicken. Also.as a concession to the family, used a jalapeño and cut out the pepper flakes (personally I would’ve added more, but it’s easier to add heat than take away, right?) Love your recipes!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  June 28, 2023 at 8:31 pm
  
  Awesome! Thanks, Douglas!
  Reply
Katie Craun says
June 25, 2023 at 9:21 am

This was a big hit. Delicious.
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  June 25, 2023 at 5:30 pm
  
  Nice! Glad you enjoyed it, Katie!
  Reply
Teresa Barton says
December 23, 2022 at 6:33 pm

I made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing! Quick and easy and so flavorful. I will definitely be making this regularly from now on!
Reply
- Mike Hultquist says
  December 23, 2022 at 10:20 pm
  
  Thanks, Teresa!
  Reply
Gillian says
October 12, 2022 at 9:10 am

Have made shakshuka lots of times. This however is a great recipee with a slightly different heat level. I used some crushed dried thai chillies i had in store cupboard and cheddar cheese. It was delicious hot cheesey and with tomatoes from the garden had a nice sweetness.
Its now on my regular menu.
Thanks Mike.
Ps Tonight it's King poa prawns
Reply
- Mike H. says
  October 12, 2022 at 3:10 pm
  
  Amazing. I bet you'll love those! Enjoy!
  Reply
MPaula says
September 25, 2022 at 11:37 pm

I'm in Canada. Your link automatically goes to Amazon.ca so I tell what product you recommended. The "Aleppo" peppers listed were either not flakes or had ingredients other than Aleppo peppers.
What brand do you recommend?
Reply
- Mike H. says
  September 26, 2022 at 4:11 am
  
  Hi there, just searched around the Canadian Amazon - here is what I've found there: https://amzn.to/3SeIwyZ.
  Reply
barb says
September 23, 2022 at 10:56 am

What a great recipe for a low carber. Mo Cheese Please
Reply
- Mike H. says
  September 23, 2022 at 3:02 pm
  
  Great! So glad that you like it!
  Reply
Jérémie says
May 12, 2021 at 5:59 am

I wanted a quick and easy recipe for a snack... this one was perfect: simple and delicious!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  May 13, 2021 at 6:03 am
  
  Thanks, Jérémie! Yes, this would be a wonderful snack indeed!
  Reply
  - Jérémie says
    September 25, 2022 at 5:29 am
    
    Great vid, Mike! It made me want to immediately make again this delicious dish... which I did!
    ...I was just very worried, because you added the garlic without any comment... luckily, after 30 seconds, you added that it was time to smell the gorgeous garlic blooming in the kitchen, one of the nicest ever!! I was reassured! ;))
    Reply
    - Mike H. says
      September 26, 2022 at 4:44 am
      
      Haha, thanks, Jérémie - enjoy the smell of the gorgeous garlic blooming! 😉
      Reply
Martin says
May 08, 2020 at 4:35 am

Could I add ground beef, and if so, how much should I add?
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  May 08, 2020 at 2:51 pm
  
  Absolutely. I would add 1 pound or less. Let me know how it turns out for you!
  Reply
Andrea Garroni says
October 18, 2019 at 12:11 pm

Great recipe! I'll be trying your suggestion and adding some sausage next time round!
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  October 18, 2019 at 1:24 pm
  
  Thanks, Andrea. I think this is GREAT with sausage. Enjoy!
  Reply
Charlie says
September 07, 2019 at 5:04 am

Just cooked this and it is absolutely beautiful thank you, when I cook it again I will add some fried & chopped up bacon though.
Many Thanks,
Charlie
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  September 07, 2019 at 10:20 am
  
  Sounds awesome, Charlie! Thanks!!
  Reply
gldmt says
November 08, 2018 at 5:56 pm

Especially in the summer months, we eat almost every breakfast in Türkiye. Yours recipe is very good 🙂
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  November 08, 2018 at 10:44 pm
  
  Thanks!
  Reply
Darren says
November 06, 2018 at 11:11 am

Looks awesome
Reply
- Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
  November 06, 2018 at 11:13 am
  
  Thanks, Darren! Super tasty.
  Reply

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between shakshuka and menemen? ›

Menemen and shakshuka basically have the same ingredients. The main difference is that shakshuka has eggs added at the end of the cooking process left whole, or slightly broken up. With menemen, eggs are mixed into the tomato sauce, like scrambled eggs. The spices used can also differ, and menemen is usually spicier.

Get More Info ›

What does menemen mean in Turkish? ›

Menemen is a traditional Turkish breakfast dish. An easy way to think of it is as Turkish scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and green peppers.

Read On ›

Is pepper good for scrambled eggs? ›

White pepper is more aromatic than black pepper and packs less heat. However, both white pepper and black pepper taste excellent with scrambled eggs, so your choice of peppers relies solely on your personal flavor preferences or how you want your finished egg dish to look.

Read The Full Story ›

Is Turkish eggs same as shakshuka? ›

Turkish menemen is very similar to shakshuka, but there's a lesser-known Turkish eggs recipe that's incredibly delicious too. This, called cilbir, involves poaching eggs, then laying them on a swirl of garlic-infused yoghurt, topping with a nutty chilli butter and fresh dill fronds.

See Details ›

Is shakshuka Arabic or Israeli? ›

Shakshuka is a staple of Tunisian, Libyan, Algerian, and Moroccan cuisines traditionally served up in a cast iron pan with bread to mop up the sauce (most important). It is also popular in Israel, where it was introduced by Tunisian Jews. These Sephardic Jews came from Spain, Portugal and the Middle East.

Get More Info ›

What kind of cheese is in menemen? ›

If you're a cheese lover, some menemen recipes also contain some crumbled beyaz peynir (Turkish white cheese or feta cheese) or grated kaşar (similar to Cheddar cheese).

Get More Info ›

What is full Turkish breakfast? ›

Accordingly, a classic Turkish breakfast is generally comprised of black and green olives, cucumbers, cured meats, dips and sauces, eggs, fresh cheeses, fresh tomatoes, fresh-baked bread, fruit preserves and jams, honey, pastries, and sweet butter.

Read On ›

What is Turkish breakfast called in Turkish? ›

For Turks, kahvalti (breakfast) happens every single day of the week, and it's just as much a ritual on Wednesday as it is on Sunday.

What country is menemen from? ›

Menemen is a classic Turkish breakfast dish that is known for its simple preparation and delicious taste. It consists of eggs cooked with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, and is often served with bread or pita.

Who invented menemen? ›

Where Did Menemen Originate From? The name of this straightforward egg dish comes from the Turkish town of Menemen, which is situated in Izmir. It is said that the Cretan Turks who settled in this town invented this egg dish.

Get More Info Here ›

Should you add milk to scrambled eggs? ›

Adding milk or plain water to scrambled eggs is an optional step that affects the texture of your finished dish. For creamy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of milk for every egg. For fluffy scrambled eggs, you'll add up to 1 tablespoon of water for every egg.

Show Me More ›

Why do you put milk in scrambled eggs? ›

The basic idea here is that the milk will increase the egg's fat content, resulting in scrambled eggs with a creamier consistency and a rich, buttery edge. Unfortunately, milk (even whole milk) doesn't have that much fat.

Know More ›

What country is known for shakshuka? ›

Shakshuka is a simple dish made of gently poached eggs in a delicious chunky tomato and bell pepper sauce. Said to have originated in Tunisia, this breakfast recipe is popular in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East. It is so satisfying, you can serve it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Discover More Details ›

What is the real name of shakshuka? ›

Some people might know this dish as “eggs in purgatory” or “menemen” (which is the Turkish name for this dish). The name “shakshuka” actually means all mixed up in Tunisian dialect, which explains the recipe for this comfort food.

What is shakshuka in turkey called? ›

It's a toss-up as to whether it's more fun to say "shakshuka" or the name of its Turkish counterpart, menemen, but both are incredibly tasty, straightforward dishes that should be in your arsenal.

View Details ›

What's the difference between eggs in purgatory and shakshuka? ›

The main difference between shakshuka and eggs in purgatory is the spices and herbs. Skakshuka features Middle Eastern spices, such as cumin and sweet paprika. Eggs in purgatory does not include these spices and uses Italian herbs, such as oregano and basil.

Get More Info ›

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Style Scrambled Eggs with Peppers) (2024)

Turkish Scrambled Eggs - Menemen

What is Menemen?

Menemen Ingredients

How to Make Menemen - The Recipe Method

Recipe Notes & Tips for Success

Serving Menemen

Storage

About the Chili Peppers

Get the Ingredients

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

Menemen Recipe (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Peppers)

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition Information

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What's the difference between shakshuka and menemen? ›

Should you add milk to scrambled eggs? ›