Turkish Menemen Scramble (Printable)

A delightful blend of eggs, peppers, onions, and tomatoes cooked to a savory finish.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium green bell peppers, diced
04 - 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

→ Eggs

05 - 6 large eggs
06 - Salt, to taste
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

08 - ½ teaspoon ground sweet paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
11 - Feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add the diced green bell peppers and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the chopped tomatoes. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and form a saucy consistency.
04 - Season the tomato mixture with salt, freshly ground black pepper, ground sweet paprika, and red pepper flakes if using.
05 - Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl, then pour evenly over the tomato and pepper mixture in the skillet.
06 - Allow the eggs to set slightly around the edges, then gently stir with a spatula, scraping from the edges toward the center. Cook until eggs are softly set but still creamy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve warm with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 25 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all morning.
  • The creamy, barely set eggs with soft peppers and sweet tomatoes feel indulgent without being heavy.
  • You can adjust the spice to match your mood or who's sitting at your table.
02 -
  • Don't skip peeling the tomatoes if you're using fresh ones—the skins can separate and feel rough against the soft eggs.
  • The eggs cook faster than you think, so stay in the kitchen and watch the pan; overcooked menemen is a sad thing.
  • Building layers of flavor as you cook (seasoning the vegetables, then adjusting) tastes so much better than dumping everything in at once.
03 -
  • If your tomatoes aren't very flavorful, add a teaspoon of tomato paste to the pan when you add the fresh tomatoes—it deepens everything.
  • Keep the heat at medium so your eggs stay creamy; high heat turns them into rubber, and this dish deserves better than that.
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