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Turkish lahmacun with lamb and sumac onions.
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5 from 3 votes

Lamb Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza)

Lahmacun, or Turkish pizza, is a thin flatbread topped with spiced lamb, baked until crisp, and finished with fresh herbs, lemon, and tahini sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Keyword: Lahmacun recipe, Turkish lahmacun, Turkish pizza
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 819kcal

Ingredients

For the Lahmacun

  • 1 pound pizza dough at room temperature
  • Flour for rolling the dough
  • 1 pound ground lamb or a mix of ground lamb and beef
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • ½ teaspoon sumac
  • 1 small red bell pepper chopped
  • ½ small red onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 small tomato seeds removed and chopped
  • Small handful of fresh parsley
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Chopped Salad

  • 2 Persian cucumbers peeled and diced
  • 1 large tomato seeded and diced
  • Fresh mint leaves chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Herb Tahini Sauce

For the Sumac Onions

  • ½ small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon ground sumac
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Drizzle of olive oil
  • Chopped parsley optional

Garnishes

  • Additional sumac
  • Aleppo pepper flakes
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven while it preheats.

Make the Chopped Salad:

  • In a bowl, combine cucumbers, tomato, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss well and set aside.

Prepare the Herb Tahini Sauce:

  • In a food processor, combine tahini, herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until smooth, then slowly add water (start with ¼ cup) until the sauce is pourable but still thick. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Make the Sumac Onions:

  • Toss sliced red onions with sumac, lemon juice, olive oil, and chopped parsley. Let marinate while preparing the rest of the recipe.

Make the Meat Topping:

  • In a food processor, pulse together the red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, tomato, parsley, until finely chopped. Strain any excess moisture.
  • In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with turmeric, cumin, paprika, dried mint, sumac, and salt. Add the strained vegetable mixture and mix until well combined.

Roll and Assemble:

  • Divide the pizza dough into four equal pieces. On a floured surface, roll each piece into an 8 to 9 inch circle.
  • Spread one portion of the meat mixture evenly over each dough circle, pressing it gently into the dough and leaving a slight border around the edges.

Bake:

  • Carefully transfer each flatbread to a baking sheet or pizza stone. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the dough is crisp and the meat is fully cooked.

Garnish and Serve:

  • Top each lahmacun with chopped salad, sumac onions, a drizzle of tahini sauce, and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper and extra sumac. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy folded like a wrap.

Notes

    • Roll the Dough Thin: Aim for about ⅛ inch thick (8–9 inches wide). This helps the crust crisp up quickly and hold the topping well.
    • Use a Pizza Stone or Steel: Preheat it in a 450–500°F oven for at least 30 minutes to mimic the intense heat of a traditional Turkish oven.
    • Spread Meat All the Way to the Edges: Use your fingers to press the meat mixture directly onto the dough so it sticks and cooks evenly.
    • Serve Immediately: Lahmacun is best hot from the oven. Have your toppings and salad ready so you can assemble and enjoy right away.
    • Meat Options: Use all ground beef if lamb isn’t your thing, or try a 50/50 mix.
    • Dough Swaps: Use lavash or pita for a super thin base.
    • Vegetarian/Vegan: Try this vegan Lahmacun recipe, which swaps the meat for a spiced mushroom mixture.

Nutrition

Calories: 819kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 46g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 1487mg | Potassium: 724mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 1760IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 7mg