Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Manti captures the heart of Turkish comfort food with its delicate, handmade dough and savory meat filling. The cool garlic yogurt contrasts perfectly with the warm, spiced oil infused with Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and sumac, creating layers of flavor in every bite. Though it looks intricate, this recipe breaks the process into manageable steps, letting you enjoy a homemade feast with authentic taste.
Ingredients
For the Dough
2¼ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp sea salt
1 medium egg, beaten
½ cup (120g) water
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Garlic Yogurt
16 oz plain whole milk yogurt (Turkish or Greek style)
2–3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
Sea salt, to taste
For the Filling
8 oz lean ground beef or lamb
1 onion, grated or very finely chopped
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the Spiced Oil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste or double concentrated tomato paste
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
2 tsp dried mint, plus more for serving
1 tsp sumac, plus more for serving
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add beaten egg, water, and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Combine ground meat, grated onion, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Roll and fill: Roll the rested dough into a thin sheet on a floured surface. Cut into small squares (about 1½ inch). Place a small amount of filling in the center of each square. Pinch opposite corners together to form a sealed dumpling.
- Cook the manti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add manti and cook for 8–10 minutes, until dough is tender and filling is cooked through. Drain well.
- Prepare the garlic yogurt: Mix yogurt with garlic and salt to taste. Set aside.
- Make the spiced oil: In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add red pepper paste, Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and sumac. Stir and heat until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
- Assemble and serve: Place cooked manti on a plate. Spoon over the garlic yogurt, then drizzle with the spiced oil. Sprinkle with extra mint and sumac if desired. Serve warm.
Servings and timing
- Serves: 4
- Prep time: 1 hour
- Cook time: 25 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Variations
- Freeze manti before boiling for easy meal prep; add a few minutes to cooking time when boiling frozen dumplings.
- Substitute Turkish red pepper paste with tomato paste and chili flakes if unavailable.
- Use wonton wrappers for a shortcut, though handmade dough is more authentic.
- Make garlic yogurt ahead and refrigerate for deeper flavor.
- Swap ground beef for lamb or a mix of both for richer taste.
Storage/Reheating
- Store cooked manti covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently by steaming or microwaving with a splash of water to keep moist.
- Freeze uncooked manti on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Boil from frozen, adding extra cooking time.
FAQs
Can I use pre-made dough or wrappers?
Yes, wonton or dumpling wrappers can be used, but traditional homemade dough offers the best texture.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Replace meat filling with seasoned mushrooms or lentils for a vegetarian version.
How spicy is the spiced oil?
It has a mild warmth from Aleppo pepper but can be adjusted by adding more or less pepper paste.
Can I prepare manti ahead of time?
Yes, manti can be shaped and frozen before boiling.
What type of yogurt works best?
Thick, creamy Turkish or Greek-style yogurt is ideal for authentic texture and flavor.
Is sumac necessary?
Sumac adds a tangy flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Can I use other ground meats?
Yes, chicken or turkey can be used, but beef or lamb is traditional.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Can I reheat manti in the oven?
Steaming or microwaving is preferred to maintain moisture; oven reheating may dry them out.
What side dishes pair well?
Serve with simple salads, pickled vegetables, or warm flatbreads.
Conclusion
Manti Magic delivers a delightful Turkish culinary experience with tender dumplings, creamy garlic yogurt, and fragrant spiced oil. Though it requires some patience, the authentic flavors and comforting textures make this dish well worth the effort. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, it’s a treasured recipe that brings warmth and tradition to your table.
Manti Magic: Turkish Dumplings Drenched in Garlicky Yogurt & Spiced Oil Bliss
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Turkish
- Diet: Halal
Description
Traditional Turkish handmade dumplings filled with seasoned meat, topped with cool garlicky yogurt and a warm, fragrant spiced oil infused with Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and sumac. A comforting and authentic Turkish comfort food.
Ingredients
For the Dough:
2¼ cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1 tsp sea salt
1 medium egg, beaten
½ cup (120g) water
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
For the Garlic Yogurt:
16 oz plain whole milk yogurt (Turkish or Greek style)
2–3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
Sea salt, to taste
For the Filling:
8 oz lean ground beef or lamb
1 onion, grated or very finely chopped
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
For the Spiced Oil:
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste or double concentrated tomato paste
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
2 tsp dried mint, plus more for serving
1 tsp sumac, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, mix flour and salt. Add beaten egg, water, and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Combine ground meat, grated onion, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Roll and fill: Roll the rested dough into a thin sheet on a floured surface. Cut into small squares (about 1½ inch). Place a small amount of filling in the center of each square. Pinch opposite corners together to form a sealed dumpling.
- Cook the manti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add manti and cook for 8–10 minutes, until dough is tender and filling is cooked through. Drain well.
- Prepare the garlic yogurt: Mix yogurt with garlic and salt to taste. Set aside.
- Make the spiced oil: In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add red pepper paste, Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and sumac. Stir and heat until fragrant, about 2–3 minutes.
- Assemble and serve: Place cooked manti on a plate. Spoon over the garlic yogurt, then drizzle with the spiced oil. Sprinkle with extra mint and sumac if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Freeze manti before boiling for easy meal prep; add a few minutes to cooking time when boiling frozen dumplings.
Substitute Turkish red pepper paste with tomato paste and chili flakes if unavailable.
Use wonton wrappers for a shortcut, though handmade dough is more authentic.
Make garlic yogurt ahead and refrigerate for deeper flavor.
Swap ground beef for lamb or a mix of both for richer taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
