Easy Turkish Dishes You Can Make in Canada: Recipes & Tips for Home Cooks

Easy Turkish Dishes You Can Make in Canada: Recipes & Tips for Home Cooks

Turkish cuisine is known for its rich flavours, vibrant colours, and comforting, home-style cooking. The best part? You don’t need to be in Istanbul or Izmir to enjoy authentic Turkish meals. Whether you're a Turkish expat living in Canada or simply someone curious about new flavours, you’ll be happy to know that many traditional Turkish dishes can be easily prepared using ingredients available at Canadian grocery stores like Loblaws, Metro, No Frills, or even local farmers’ markets.

In this post, we’ll explore some easy and accessible Turkish recipes you can cook at home in Canada – no special imports or trips to specialty stores needed.

1. Menemen (Turkish Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Peppers)

Why it’s easy in Canada: Eggs, tomatoes, green bell peppers, and olive oil are staples in every Canadian kitchen.

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs

• 2 medium tomatoes, grated or chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, diced

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

2. Sauté the diced pepper for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes and cook until soft and juicy (about 5 minutes).

4. Crack in the eggs and stir gently. Cook to your preferred doneness.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread or pita.

Tip: Add feta cheese or chili flakes for an extra kick!

2. Mercimek Çorbası (Red Lentil Soup)

Why it’s easy in Canada: Red lentils, carrots, onions, and spices like cumin and paprika are widely available.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 carrot, diced

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp cumin

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a pot, sauté onions and carrots until softened.

2. Add tomato paste and spices, stir for 1 minute.

3. Add lentils and broth. Bring to a boil.

4. Simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils are soft.

5. Blend with an immersion blender for a smooth texture.

Tip: Serve with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of dried mint if available.

3. Bulgur Pilavı (Turkish Bulgur Pilaf)

Why it’s easy in Canada: Bulgur is commonly found in the grains section of most supermarkets or health food stores.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fine or medium bulgur

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 green pepper, chopped

• 1 tomato or 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 ½ cups hot water or broth

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion and pepper in olive oil until soft.

2. Add tomato or tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in bulgur, season with salt and pepper.

4. Add hot water or broth, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

Tip: Great as a side dish with grilled meat or as a light vegetarian meal.

4. Tavuk Sote (Turkish-Style Chicken Sauté)

Why it’s easy in Canada: Chicken breast, onions, and peppers are everyday ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed

• 1 onion, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, sliced

• 2 tomatoes, diced (or canned diced tomatoes)

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, pepper, thyme

Instructions:

1. Heat oil, sauté onions and chicken for 5–7 minutes.

2. Add pepper, tomatoes, and tomato paste.

3. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.

4. Cook for 10–15 minutes until the chicken is done and sauce thickens.

Tip: Serve over rice or with fresh bread for a full meal.

5. Cacık (Turkish Yogurt with Cucumber and Garlic)

Why it’s easy in Canada: Plain yogurt, cucumbers, and garlic are easy to find year-round.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek or Balkan style)

• 1 small cucumber, grated or finely chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt, dried mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix yogurt with grated cucumber and garlic.

2. Stir in olive oil and salt.

3. Optionally add mint and a splash of cold water to thin.

Tip: Cacık is a refreshing side dish for meat dishes, bulgur, or as a dip.

Bonus: Where to Buy Turkish Ingredients in Canada

If you want to go one step further and explore more Turkish cooking, try visiting local Middle Eastern or Mediterranean grocery stores in major Canadian cities. Here’s where you can look:

• Toronto: Arz Fine Foods, Marche Istanbul, Bakkal International Foods

• Vancouver: Ayoub’s Dried Fruits & Nuts, Mediterranean Specialty Foods

• Montreal: Marché Adonis, Akhavan Supermarket

• Calgary/Edmonton: Community Natural Foods, Anatolia Turkish Grocery

Turkish food doesn’t have to be intimidating. With a few common ingredients and simple techniques, you can enjoy warm, flavourful meals that feel like home—even thousands of kilometres away. Whether you’re hosting a dinner for friends or just craving something cozy after a cold Canadian winter day, these recipes are a perfect place to start.