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Turkish Dumplings (Manti) with Garlicky Yogurt and Spiced Oil Recipe

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4.2 from 7 reviews

Manti are traditional Turkish dumplings filled with seasoned ground meat, served with garlicky yogurt and drizzled with a spiced olive oil sauce. This comforting dish combines tender handmade dough, a savory meat filling, creamy yogurt, and bold, aromatic spices, making it a beloved staple of Turkish cuisine perfect for a hearty main dish.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 1/4 cups (300g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 medium egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup (120g) water
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing

Yogurt Sauce

  • 16 ounces plain whole milk yogurt (Turkish or Greek style preferred)
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
  • Sea salt, to taste

Filling

  • 8 ounces lean ground beef or lamb
  • 1 onion, grated or finely chopped
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Spiced Oil

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Turkish red pepper paste or double concentrated tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried mint, plus more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon sumac, plus more for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and sea salt. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg, water, and olive oil. Knead the mixture until a smooth, elastic dough forms. Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten, which will make rolling easier.
  2. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, mix the lean ground beef or lamb with grated or finely chopped onion. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, mixing until well combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  3. Roll and cut the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the rested dough into a thin sheet. Cut the dough into small squares about 1 1/2 inches in size, suitable for bite-sized dumplings.
  4. Fill and shape the dumplings: Place a small amount of the meat filling in the center of each dough square. Pinch the corners together carefully to seal fully, creating dumplings that will hold their filling during cooking.
  5. Cook the dumplings: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the dumplings in batches for 7 to 8 minutes or until they float to the surface and the dough is tender. Drain the dumplings well to remove excess water.
  6. Prepare the garlic yogurt: In a bowl, stir together the plain yogurt with minced garlic and salt to taste until smooth and creamy. This sauce adds a cool, tangy contrast to the savory dumplings.
  7. Make the spiced oil: Heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in the Turkish red pepper paste, Aleppo pepper, dried mint, and sumac. Cook gently for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not burned, then remove from heat.
  8. Assemble the dish: Arrange the cooked dumplings on a serving platter. Spoon the garlicky yogurt generously over them and drizzle with the warm spiced oil. Garnish with extra dried mint and sumac for added color and flavor before serving.

Notes

  • Resting the dough helps make it easier to roll out thinly and prevents shrinking during cooking.
  • You can freeze uncooked dumplings for later use—boil them directly from frozen when ready to serve.
  • Traditionally, manti are served in very small pieces, so aim for bite-sized dumplings to preserve authenticity.
  • Use strained yogurt for a thicker, creamier texture that holds well when spooned over the dumplings.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Turkish
  • Diet: Halal

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/turkish-dumplings-manti-with-garlicky-yogurt-and-spiced-oil-recipe/