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Turkish stuffed onions stuffed with a flavorful meat and rice mixture and cooked in a robust tomato sauce.
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Turkish Stuffed Onions

These Turkish stuffed onions are filled with a spiced beef, rice and herb mixture and baked in a rich tomato-pomegranate sauce, creating a comforting Middle Eastern-inspired meal.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 20 minutes
Cooling Onions10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Turkish
Keyword: Middle Eastern stuffed onions, stuffed onions, Turkish stuffed onions
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 373kcal

Ingredients

Onions and Filling

Tomato Sauce

Instructions

  • Prepare the Onions: Peel the onions and cut off both ends. Cut a slit down one side, without cutting through completely and boil the onions for 15-20 minutes, until the layers can easily separate.
  • Make the Filling: While the onions are boiling, prepare the meat filling. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, rinsed rice, garlic, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon zest, salt, paprika, allspice, black pepper, parsley, and mint. Mix well to combine.
  • Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Assemble the Stuffed Onions: Once the onions are done, drain them and allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes. Carefully separate the layers of the onions. Place 1 heaping tablespoon of the meat mixture into each onion layer, then wrap the layer around the filling. Place each stuffed onion seam side down, tightly packed, into a baking dish.
  • Make the Tomato Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, tomato paste, pomegranate molasses, and salt until smooth. Pour the sauce evenly over the stuffed onions.
  • Bake the Onions: Cover the dish and bake for 45 minutes, until the sauce has slightly reduced and the onions are tender. Remove the lid and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes to thicken the sauce.
  • Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

    • Meat Options: Substitute the beef with ground lamb or use a combination of ground beef and lamb.
    • Rice Alternatives: Instead of rice, substitute with barley or cooked quinoa.
    • Boiling the Onions: Don’t skip the boiling step! This softens the onion layers, making them pliable and easier to stuff.
    • Baking Time: Covering the dish ensures the onions become tender. Uncover towards the end to reduce the sauce slightly.
    • Assembling the Onions: Use a spoon to press the filling into each onion layer gently, making sure not to overfill.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 969mg | Potassium: 579mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 431IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 3mg