Kiymali Gozleme | Turkish Flatbread with Meat

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Kiymali Gozleme, a Turkish flatbread with minced beef mixture, sealed and pan-roasted in olive oil or butter and served with lemon wedges.

A platter of kiymali Turkish gozleme served with fresh tomatoes and lemon wedges.

I love recipes that have little effort but maximum flavour! A simple dough stuffed with minced meat mixture and pan-roasted. And yet, they sell like hotcakes!

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🥘Ingredient Notes
📋What does Gözleme mean in Turkish?
📋What is Kıymalı Gözleme?
📋Other popular Gozleme varieties
🔪How to make Kiymali Gozleme at home?
🫓What goes with Kiymali Gozleme?
❄️Storage
☝️Frequently Asked Questions
🍲More Related Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe Card
💬 Comments

I spent hours on the internet trying to find the traditional Gozleme recipe and found there is more than one Turkish flatbread with minced beef recipe. I then looked for Turkish websites and YouTube channels to find a more reliable source.

After several hours (true story) I started making notes on Sticky Notes because Turkish language content gave a new perspective to my knowledge of Gozleme or gerz-leh-meh as you would have to pronounce it.

🥘Ingredient Notes

The key ingredients to make this Kiymali Gozleme are:

Plain flour: All-purpose flour or maida.
Ground beef
Onion
Tomato
Parsley
Egg

For a detailed version, please check the recipe card below.

📋What does Gözleme mean in Turkish?

There is more than one meaning and history behind the name of this dish, Gözleme. Gozleme may derive from the Turkish word közleme, meaning "to cook on embers" or "grill." It may also come from the word gözleri, meaning "eyes," referring to the dark spots after roasting on a sac pan. But in general, Gozleme translates as pancakes, flatbreads or waffles.

📋What is Kıymalı Gözleme?

Now if Gozleme is a pancake, then it should be some kind of pancake or flatbread. The different types of Gozleme are named with the prefix of the specific type. For example, Kiymali Gozleme where Kıymalı means minced meat or ground meat.

📋Other popular Gozleme varieties

Patatesli: stuffed with potatoes - carb on carb!
Yeşillik: includes any type of greens
Ispanaklı: which is specifically spinach
Peynirli: uses cheese and Feta is preferred

What piqued my interest was the different names of Turkish flatbreads that are not very different from each other! Like, how different is Etli Ekmek (meaty bread) from Lahmacun (meat with dough)? I will leave that to you! 😝

🔪How to make Kiymali Gozleme at home?

All kinds of Gozleme start with the simple well-kneaded and well-rested dough prepared with just flour, salt and water. Though there are versions with yeast, this Turkish flatbread with minced beef is without yeast.

The dough is rolled thin with dry flour, filled with stuffing, sealed, brushed with oil, and then cooked on a sac, grill, or cast iron pan. Unlike muttabaq or porotta, which are dunked in oil and slapped thin, Gozleme dough is oil-free. Extra flour helps with rolling, but the dough is easy to stretch without tearing if kneaded well and rested properly.

Knead flour and salt with enough water for 10 minutes or until smooth. Rest the dough for 20 minutes and divide into 10 equal balls. While the dough rests, prepare the stuffing mixture.

A bowl with ground meat stuffing ingredients.

Add the minced meat, onion, tomato, parsley leaves, and chilli flakes in a bowl. Mix with warm water and whisked egg (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Dust the work counter with flour and roll the dough ball as thin as you can to make it.

Thinly rolled dough with meat stuffing on one side.

Place a ladle of the meat stuffing in one half of the rolled-out dough (leaving some space along the edge to seal later) and spread it to a thin even layer.

Kiymali gozleme sealed and ready to be cooked.

Bring the other half and carefully close without trapping any air. Seal the sides by pressing down gently and pinching the dough if required. The assembled pancake should resemble a half-moon.

🫓What goes with Kiymali Gozleme?

Gözleme, an Anatolian classic, has made its way from traditional breakfast tables to the bustling streets of the Western world. Nowadays, you can easily spot it on the menu at food trucks, cosy cafes, and little hole-in-the-wall joints. Best served with a side of yoghurt and lemon wedges. Don’t forget to squeeze that lemon all over your hot Gözleme before diving in for the perfect bite!

❄️Storage

These can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them by placing parchment paper between each Gozleme, and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in a pan or oven until warmed through before serving.

☝️Frequently Asked Questions

Is gozleme a breakfast food?

Yes, Gözleme can be enjoyed as a breakfast food. It is versatile and can be filled with various ingredients, making it suitable for any meal of the day. For breakfast, popular fillings include cheese, spinach, and eggs. However, it is also enjoyed as a snack or light meal throughout the day.

How do you eat gozleme?

- Simply eat it as is, to enjoy the flavours of the dough and filling.
- Pair it with yoghurt or a tangy sauce like tzatziki for added flavour.
- Serve it with a fresh salad on the side for a balanced meal.
- Roll and cut it into bite-sized pieces for easy snacking.

Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?

Yes, you can substitute ground lamb or beef with chicken, turkey, or even a plant-based ground meat alternative to suit your dietary preferences.

How do I prevent the dough from sticking while rolling?

Knead the dough well and allow it to rest, which helps in making it easier to roll out. Use plenty of flour on your rolling surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.

What sides go well with Kiyamali Gözleme?

Kiyamali Gözleme pairs well with a fresh salad, yoghurt dip (like tzatziki), or a simple tomato and cucumber salad. It also goes great with a cup of Turkish tea.

Here are a few recipes that use ground beef: