Why We Love This Lahmacun Recipe
Lahmachun – also known as lahmajun or lahmajoun – is a unique Middle eastern street food, popular in both Turkey and Armenia. This cheese-less “pizza” for lack of a better description, is a thin piece of round bread baked with a layer of ground meat and spices spread over the top. Our easy Turkish Pizza recipe can be made with fresh or frozen (and thawed) pizza dough in just over 30 minutes from start to finish. And it’s perfect to customize with your favorite extra toppings… Lahmajun is a dairy-free snack you can enjoy as-is, or with a fresh chopped middle-eastern salad over the top!
Ingredients You Need
Frozen and thawed or fresh pizza dough – store-bought or homemade Ground beef – or ground lamb Bell pepper – seeded and chopped Onion – chopped Garlic – peeled Tomato paste Parsley – chopped Fresh mint leaves Anchovy paste Spices – smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Plus traditional garnishes like extra parsley, mint, olive oil, and lemon wedges. Cheater Hack: Although freshly baked dough tastes best, you can make a quicker version of this traditional Armenian pizza recipe by using large flour tortillas as the base.
How to Make Lahmajun
Note: Some people find it’s easier to stretch them out, rather than roll them. Use whichever method you prefer!
Serving Suggestions
Serve this lahmacun recipe warm or at room temperature with a sprinkling of parsley or mint and a lemon wedge. You can also serve Turkish pizza as a complete meal on a single edible plate – simply add a Middle Eastern style chopped salad with fresh parsley, onion, and tomato on top!
Recipe Variations
Vegetarian – Swap the ground meat for a flavorful vegetable mixture. You can use finely chopped mushrooms, eggplant, and zucchini, along with onions, garlic, and the classic spices like cumin, paprika, and sumac. Add a sprinkle of feta or crumbled goat cheese for extra flavor. Spicy – For a spicy kick, mix ground beef with harissa paste or a generous amount of red chili flakes. You can also add diced jalapeños or hot Turkish peppers to the topping for added heat. Chicken – Use ground chicken instead of lamb or beef. Combine it with Mediterranean spices like oregano, cumin, and coriander. You can also drizzle a bit of garlic yogurt sauce over the cooked pizza for a refreshing touch. Cheese – Although traditional lahmacun doesn’t use cheese, adding a layer of mozzarella, feta, or kasseri can give it a more “pizza-like” feel. Top with the cheese after the meat mixture is spread, and bake until bubbly and golden. Gluten-free – For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flatbread or make a dough using chickpea or almond flour. You can also use cauliflower pizza crust for a healthier option without compromising on flavor.
Looking for More Fabulous Flatbread Recipes? Be Sure to Try:
Perfect Neapolitan Pizza Grilled Greek Pizza Roasted Vegetable Flatbread Caprese Flatbread Recipe Steak and Mushroom Pizza with Spicy Mustard
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