Turkish Tantuni: Easy Homemade Recipe
Tantuni is one of the most famous street foods in Turkey; a dish that was born in the city of Mersin and today has many fans all over Turkey and even other countries. This fragrant and spicy sandwich is served with finely chopped meat, lots of oil, lots of spices, and special bread. If you love street food, Tantuni will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences you can try.
There are two main versions of Tantuni in Turkey: the red meat version and the chicken version, both of which are cooked with special spices and different roasting styles, but the original version is beef. There are also famous street foods in Türkiye, such as Burek and Lahmacun, which have many fans.
What is Tantuni?
Tantuni is a very simple dish, but with its own cooking technique, it acquires a unique flavor. The meat is very finely chopped or minced, cooked in a little water, and then fried in a lot of oil with various spices. Lavash or yufka bread softens on the steaming meat and absorbs the flavor of fat and spices; this makes every bite of Tantuni an explosion of flavor. This popular sandwich is a big seller on the streets of Turkey, and everyone who has traveled to Turkey has definitely heard of it.
This dish is usually served with the following accompaniments:
- Chopped tomatoes
- Fresh parsley
- Minced onions
- Fresh lime
- Hot peppers
Ingredients for making authentic Turkish Tantuni (serves 4)
In order for your Tantuni to have the famous and authentic Turkish flavor, it is very important to choose the right meat and chop it correctly.
| Fresh, lean beef | 400 grams |
| Oil (a combination of liquid oil + a little animal fat or butter) | About 6-8 tablespoons |
| Finely chopped white onion | 1 large |
| Sumac | 1 tablespoon |
| Chopped tomatoes | 2 pieces |
| Freshly chopped parsley | As needed |
| Salt and black pepper | As needed |
| Red pepper or Irv | As desired |
| Paprika or sweet pepper powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Lavash or yufka bread | 4 pieces |
| Fresh lemon | When serving |
How to make Turkish Tantuni (step by step)
To prepare this dish, be sure to use fresh, low-fat meat to preserve its original flavor.
Step 1: Properly chopping the meat
One of the main secrets of Tantuni is the fineness of the pieces of meat, and the meat should be chopped into very fine pieces with a sharp knife or cleaver. If the meat is coarse, the texture of the sandwich will be ruined, and it should not have too much fat because the food itself is fatty. You can put the meat in the freezer for a few minutes to freeze it a little and make it easier to chop.
Step 2: Half-cooking the meat
Put the chopped meat in a small saucepan and add about ½ cup of water. Add a little salt and pepper, and let the meat cook over low heat until the water is almost gone, and the meat should be soft and tender.
Step 3: Roasting the meat in the authentic Mercini style
In a large pan, heat the liquid oil with a little animal fat and add the half-cooked meat. Add the spices (paprika + pepper + salt) and fry the ingredients well for a few minutes until they become oily and shiny. At this point, the main aroma of the Tantuni is released, and you have done the main work.
Step 4: Prepare the onion and sumac
In a separate bowl, combine the chopped onion, sumac, a little parsley, and a little black pepper. These ingredients are one of the key companions of the Tantuni and complete the final taste.
Step 5: Prepare the bread
Heat the lavash bread on a pan or place it over a meat steamer until it is slightly soft and rollable. In the original version, the lavash bread absorbs a little of the Tantuni oil.
Step 6: Close the Tantuni sandwich
Put a layer of hot meat on the bread and add chopped tomatoes. On top, place the onion and sumac mixture with plenty of fresh parsley and fresh lemon juice, and a little Irv pepper for a Turkish flavor, and roll the bread and press it slightly on the pan until it is smooth and compact.پ
Tantuni: Authentic Turkish Street Sandwich
Ingredients
Method
- Chop the meat finely for authentic texture.
- Half-cook meat in a small saucepan with ½ cup water and season lightly.
- In a large pan, heat oil and fry the meat with spices until oily and shiny.
- Mix chopped onion, sumac, parsley, and black pepper separately.
- Warm lavash bread and place hot meat on it.
- Add chopped tomatoes and onion mixture. Squeeze fresh lemon, add optional Irv pepper, and roll the sandwich.
Golden tips for making tasty Tantuni
- Use soft meat so that it does not harden.
- Gentle heat with enough oil is the secret to its street style.
- Irv pepper or pulbeber creates the main flavor of Tantuni.
- Lavash bread should not be dry so that it does not crack when rolled.
- Do not omit the fresh lemon; without it, the taste of Tantuni is incomplete.
- For a diet version, you can reduce the oil and cook the meat in a pot.
Types of Tantuni in Turkey
- Meat Tantuni (original and street version)
Finely chopped meat, plenty of spices, and served in lavash bread.
- Chicken Tantuni
Suitable for people who do not eat red meat.
- Low-fat Tantuni (Diet)
With less oil, lighter and suitable for a diet.
- Spicy Tantuni
With lots of Irv pepper and sometimes Turkish hot sauce.
- Cheese Tantuni
New version: They put a little kashar cheese inside the sandwich.
Differences in Tantuni in different cities in Turkey
- Mersin: Original version; Very fatty and spicy
- Istanbul: Milder and less oily
- Ankara: With thicker bread
- Gaziantep: With stronger spices
Benefits of Tantuni (in moderation)
- High protein: The shredded meat of Tantuni is an excellent source of protein and helps repair body tissues and increase the feeling of satiety.
- Energetic: The presence of meat, bread, and warm spices makes Tantuni an energy-giving food that is very suitable for busy days.
- Suitable for athletes: The combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fat (if used with little oil) is ideal for restoring energy and building muscle after exercise.
- Quick preparation: Tantuni has a shorter cooking time than many meat dishes, making it a good choice for those looking for a quick but complete meal.
- Suitable for lunch or dinner: The light texture of the meat and the possibility of serving it with or without bread make this dish suitable for both lunch and dinner.
Possible side effects of consuming too much Tantuni
- High fat: If cooked with too much oil, its calories and fat increase, and it is not suitable for people on a low-fat diet.
- Digestive problems: Spicy spices and fatty meat may be problematic for those with sensitive stomachs.
- High calorie: Continuous consumption of this dish, especially in street versions, can lead to weight gain.
Conclusion
Tantuni is one of the most attractive Turkish street foods; simple but very tasty, fast but incredibly fragrant, fatty but incredibly delicious! If you love street food, this sandwich is one of the best experiences you should try.
At YummCook, we always try to teach recipes in the simplest and most complete way so that you can create the same Turkish street taste at home.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) for Tantuni:
1- What is Tantuni?
Tantuni is a traditional Turkish street food from Mersin, made with finely chopped beef or chicken, cooked with spices, and served in lavash or yufka bread.
2- Can I make Tantuni at home?
Yes! With fresh meat, proper spices, and lavash bread, you can easily prepare authentic Tantuni at home following step-by-step recipes.
3- What type of meat is best for Tantuni?
Lean beef is the original choice, but chicken can also be used for a lighter version. The meat should be finely chopped for the authentic texture.
4- Is Tantuni healthy?
In moderation, Tantuni is rich in protein, energizing, and suitable for athletes. However, street versions with extra oil can be high in fat and calories.
5- What are the popular variations of Tantuni?
There are several variations, including chicken Tantuni, low-fat diet Tantuni, spicy Tantuni, and even cheese-filled versions, each offering a unique flavor.