Turkish Menemen Scramble (Printable)

Softly scrambled eggs with peppers, onions, and tomatoes seasoned for a bright Turkish breakfast.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 medium green bell peppers, diced
04 - 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped

→ Eggs

05 - 6 large eggs
06 - Salt, to taste
07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Additions

08 - ½ teaspoon ground sweet paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, to taste
10 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
11 - Feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add diced bell peppers and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
03 - Stir in chopped tomatoes. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
04 - Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine.
05 - Lightly beat the eggs in a bowl and pour evenly over the tomato and pepper mixture in the skillet.
06 - Let eggs begin to set around the edges, then gently stir with a spatula, scraping from edges to center. Cook until softly set but still creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Remove from heat to avoid overcooking. Garnish with chopped parsley and crumbled feta if desired. Serve warm with crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you've been cooking all morning.
  • The vegetables soften into this beautiful sauce while the eggs stay creamy and delicate, not rubbery or overdone.
  • One pan, minimal cleanup, and it feeds a crowd or just you—it scales beautifully either way.
02 -
  • Eggs overcook in seconds, so pull the pan from heat while they still look slightly underdone—they'll set completely as you plate it.
  • Draining canned tomatoes is non-negotiable; watery tomatoes dilute all the flavor you've been building.
  • The vegetables need to soften fully before the eggs go in, or you'll end up with crunchy pepper in a creamy scramble, which sounds nice but doesn't work.
03 -
  • If you can find Turkish red pepper paste (biber salçası), add a teaspoon to deepen the flavor and add complexity.
  • Cook the vegetables until they're truly soft and saucy before adding eggs—this is where the magic happens, not in the scrambling.
Go Back