Acılı Ezme (Turkish Spicy Tomato Meze)
Acılı ezme is a finely hand-chopped Turkish meze of ripe tomato, green pepper, onion, parsley, pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon, and pul biber.
Plan and shop
Save this recipe for real-life cooking
Build a local shopping list or place this recipe into a weekly meal plan. No account is required.
Illustrated cooking guide
Step-by-step visual method
A polished English infographic for the whole cooking flow, paired with the full written recipe below for detail and SEO.
Written method
Instructions
Read through once, then cook at your own pace with the illustrated guide above.
- 1
Finely hand-chop the tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, and parsley; avoid turning them into a puree.
- 2
Drain excess tomato liquid so the ezme remains spoonable rather than watery.
- 3
Mix the pepper paste, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, olive oil, pul biber, sumac, and salt.
- 4
Fold the dressing into the chopped vegetables and adjust the heat and acidity.
- 5
Rest for 15-20 minutes and serve as a meze with warm bread.
Cook notes
Tips
Make sure to use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture in your salad.
Allow the salad to sit for about 10 minutes after mixing for the flavors to meld together.
Cook smarter
Helpful notes
Practical storage, serving, swap, and troubleshooting notes for a better first try.
Storage Tips
- Store Ezme in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For the best taste, consume it fresh; the ingredients may lose crunchiness over time.
Substitutions
- You can swap green bell peppers for red or yellow bell peppers for a sweeter flavor.
- If you don’t have fresh tomatoes, canned diced tomatoes can work but drain excess liquid.
What to Serve With
- Grilled chicken
- Pita bread
- Lamb kebabs
Common Mistakes
- Chopping the ingredients too coarsely can lead to an uneven texture in the salad.
- Not letting it sit after mixing can prevent the flavors from developing fully.
Recipe FAQ
Can I prepare Ezme in advance?
Yes, you can make Ezme a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate it. This will enhance the flavors.
What should I serve with Ezme?
Ezme pairs well with grilled meats, pita bread, or as a side to any Turkish meal.
Is there a way to adjust the spiciness of Ezme?
You can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes to make it milder, or omit them altogether.
Kitchen tools
Helpful Tools for This Recipe
A light, editable placeholder for future partner recommendations. No real affiliate links are enabled yet.
Blender
Helpful for smooth sauces, soups, marinades, and purees.
Chef knife
A basic prep tool for vegetables, herbs, aromatics, and proteins.
Cutting board
Keeps prep organized for chopping, slicing, and staging ingredients.
Measuring spoons
Useful for balancing spices, salt, acids, and sauces.
Some links may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate or partner, we may earn from qualifying purchases when enabled. Read the Affiliate Disclosure.
Cook along weekly
Want more illustrated recipes like Acılı Ezme (Turkish Spicy Tomato Meze)?
Join the World Recipe Letter for global home-cooking ideas and visual recipe guides.
Join the World Recipe Letter
Get 5 illustrated recipes every week.
No account needed. Unsubscribe when email delivery is connected.
Cook next
You might also like
More flavors from the same country or nearby pantry style.
Menemen
Soft scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers, onion, olive oil, and warm spice.
Lentil Kofta
Tender red lentil and bulgur patties with tomato paste, parsley, lemon, and spice.
Imam Bayildi
Tender eggplant filled with tomato, onion, garlic, olive oil, and herbs for a silky Turkish vegetable dish.