Print

Turkish Ezme Recipe

4.8 from 97 reviews

Turkish Ezme is a vibrant, fresh, and spicy salad made from finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers, mixed with aromatic herbs and a tangy dressing. This versatile mezze can be served as a refreshing appetizer, a flavorful sauce, or a side salad, offering a perfect balance of zesty and savory flavors characteristic of Turkish cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 3 large tomatoes (firm and fresh, finely chopped)
  • 1 medium white onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 green bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)

Seasoning & Dressing

  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 lemon (juice of)
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
  • 1 tsp sumac

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the tomatoes and place them in a large mixing bowl. Similarly, chop the white onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper very finely, then add them to the bowl with the tomatoes.
  2. Add Garlic and Parsley: Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the fresh parsley. Add both to the diced vegetables and stir gently to combine all the fresh ingredients evenly.
  3. Mix in Seasonings and Dressing: Incorporate the tomato paste, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, Aleppo pepper, and sumac into the vegetable mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure all flavors are evenly distributed and the mixture has a vibrant, consistent texture.
  4. Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the Ezme for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled as a mezze appetizer, flavorful sauce, or fresh salad alongside your favorite dishes.

Notes

  • You can adjust the level of Aleppo pepper to control the spiciness to your preference.
  • Green bell pepper can be substituted with mild chili peppers for more heat, but traditional Ezme uses bell peppers for a balanced flavor.
  • The tomatoes must be firm and ripe for the best texture; overripe tomatoes can make the salad too watery.
  • Ezme is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Keywords: Turkish Ezme, Ezme Salad, Turkish mezze, tomato salad, fresh vegetable salad, spicy salad, vegetarian mezze, Turkish appetizer