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Thin lahmacun Turkish pizza with ground lamb and herbs

Thin crispy Turkish flatbread with spiced lamb

Lahmacun

Lahmacun

1h 23mMedium

Prep Time

1 hr 15 min

Cook Time

8 min

Total Time

1 hr 23 min

Servings

6

6 pieces

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

$$

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Lahmacun

Thin crispy Turkish flatbread with spiced lamb

Paper-thin crispy flatbread topped with spiced ground lamb, tomatoes, and herbs. Often called Turkish pizza, lahmacun is rolled up with fresh herbs and squeezed lemon.

75m

Prep Time

8m

Cook Time

83m

Total Time

6

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain CourseSnackDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

April 9, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Lahmacun features an ultra-thin crispy crust topped with a thin layer of seasoned meat that cooks in minutes. The traditional way to eat it is rolled up with parsley, lemon juice, and pickled peppers.

Why This Recipe Works

Rolling the dough paper-thin is essential for the signature crackly texture. Spreading the meat mixture very thinly ensures it cooks through and doesn't make the base soggy.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp yeast, 1/2 cup water (dough)
  • 1/2 lb ground lamb
  • 1 small onion, grated
  • 1 tomato, finely grated
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp each: cumin, paprika, Aleppo pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make dough: mix flour, yeast, salt, water. Knead 5 minutes. Cover and rest 1 hour.

  2. 2

    Blend lamb, grated onion, tomato, tomato paste, and spices in a food processor until a smooth paste.

  3. 3

    Divide dough into 6 balls. Roll each paper-thin into 10-inch rounds on a floured surface.

  4. 4

    Spread a thin layer of meat mixture over each round, almost to the edges.

  5. 5

    Bake on a preheated stone at 500°F for 5-6 minutes until crispy. Roll up with parsley, lemon, and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

  • Arrange on a platter for easy sharing at your next gathering

Substitutions

Ground lambGround beef

Milder flavor but very good

Aleppo pepperCrushed red pepper flakes + paprika

A workable substitute for the mild heat

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Roll the dough as thin as possible—you should almost see through it.

  • Spread the meat mixture very thin to prevent soggy centers.

Storage

Best eaten immediately. Stack with parchment and refrigerate for 1 day.

Reheating

Reheat in a 450°F oven for 2-3 minutes until crispy again.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (35mg) · 6 servings

Calories260
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein14g
Carbohydrates8g
Fat32g
Fiber350mg
Sugar2g
Sodium2g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use beef instead of lamb?
Yes, lean ground beef works well though lamb gives more authentic flavor.
How thin should the dough be?
As thin as you can roll it—almost translucent is ideal.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseMore SnackDairy-Free RecipesOven RecipesBaking Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

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