How to Make the Perfect Lahmacun
Turkish · Medium · 45 min · 4 servings

Lahmacun is a thin and crispy Turkish flatbread topped with a spiced minced meat mixture of lamb, tomatoes, and herbs, often called Turkish pizza. It is baked at high heat until the edges are golden and the topping is fragrant and cooked through.
Why this recipe works
This Lahmacun recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 410 calories with 22g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 300 g minced lamb
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
- 1 medium white onion finely grated
- 2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 400 g store-bought pizza dough or flatbread dough
- 1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Meat Topping
Combine minced lamb, chopped tomatoes, grated onion, red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until a cohesive paste forms.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Divide the dough into 4 equal balls and roll each one out on a floured surface as thin as possible into oval or round shapes roughly 30cm wide.
Step 3: Top and Bake
Spread a thin even layer of the meat mixture all the way to the edges of each dough round. Place on a hot baking tray or pizza stone and bake at 250C for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are crisp and golden.
Step 4: Serve
Remove from the oven, add fresh parsley, sliced tomatoes, and a squeeze of lemon juice on top. Roll up and serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- minced lamb → minced beef or a half-and-half mix
- store-bought dough → homemade yeast dough made with flour, water, yeast, and salt
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Rolling the dough too thick which prevents the characteristic crispy texture
- Using too much topping which makes the base soggy and prevents even cooking
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 410 calories, 22g protein, 42g carbs, 16g fat, 4g fiber.
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