Dinner

Turkish Menemen: One-Pan Eggs and Peppers with Yogurt Recipe

Name: Turkish Menemen: One-Pan Eggs and Peppers with Yogurt Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 onions, sliced; 1 red or green pepper, halved, deseeded and sliced; 1-2 red chillies, deseeded and sliced; 400g can chopped tomatoes; 1-2 tsp caster sugar; 4 eggs; small bunch parsley, roughly chopped; 6 tbsp thick, creamy yogurt; 2 garlic cloves, crushed

ByHailey Reed January 16, 2026January 16, 2026

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Introduction

Menemen is a delicious Turkish dish featuring eggs cooked gently with peppers, tomatoes, and spices in one pan. This vibrant breakfast or light meal is bursting with fresh flavors and topped with creamy garlic yogurt for a perfect balance.

A metal frying pan holds a dish with three cooked eggs evenly spaced, each with bright white edges and soft yellow yolks in the center. The eggs rest on a mix of tender, sautéed orange onions and sliced red peppers spread across the pan's bottom. Green parsley leaves are scattered on top, adding fresh color. The pan is placed on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. In the blurred background, there is a white bowl with a creamy white dip and a woman's hand reaching with a spoon. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 onions, sliced
1 red or green pepper, halved, deseeded and sliced
1-2 red chillies, deseeded and sliced
400g can chopped tomatoes
1-2 tsp caster sugar
4 eggs
Small bunch parsley, roughly chopped
6 tbsp thick, creamy yogurt
2 garlic cloves, crushed

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, pepper, and chillies, stirring occasionally until they begin to soften.
Step 2: Stir in the chopped tomatoes and caster sugar. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Using a wooden spoon, make four small pockets in the tomato and pepper mixture. Crack an egg into each pocket carefully.
Step 4: Cover the pan with a lid and cook over low heat until the eggs are just set, about 5–7 minutes depending on your stove.
Step 5: Meanwhile, mix the crushed garlic into the yogurt and season with a pinch of salt.
Step 6: Sprinkle the menemen with the chopped parsley. Serve directly from the frying pan topped with dollops of the garlic-flavored yogurt.

Tips & Variations

For extra richness, stir in some crumbled feta cheese before adding the eggs.
Use chili flakes instead of fresh chillies if you prefer milder heat.
Try adding diced zucchini or mushrooms for more vegetable variety.
If you can’t find thick yogurt, drain regular yogurt through a fine cloth for 1-2 hours to thicken it.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in a pan over low heat to avoid overcooking the eggs. The dish is best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture and flavor.

How to Serve

A silver frying pan with a long handle contains three cooked eggs with bright white firm whites and soft yellow yolks in the middle. Around the eggs, there are layers of cooked sliced red bell peppers and onions that look soft and slightly caramelized, giving a mix of red and golden brown colors. Green parsley leaves are scattered on top, adding a fresh touch. The pan sits on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface, with a small white bowl of sour cream and a salt shaker blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make menemen without fresh chillies?

Yes, you can substitute fresh chillies with chili flakes or omit them entirely for a milder version. Adjust to your heat preference.

Is menemen traditionally spicy?

Menemen can range from mild to moderately spicy depending on the amount and type of chillies used. You can easily control the heat level to suit your taste.