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Turkish Lentil Kofte (Mercimek Köftesi): Vegan Red Lentil Mezze

How to make mercimek köftesi

Make authentic Vegan Mercimek Köftesi - soft Turkish red lentil kofte with bulgur, herbs, tomato & pepper paste. Easy meze with lettuce & lemon.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Snack
Cuisine: turkish
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 600 ml 2½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 150 g ¾ cup fine bulgur
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Turkish red pepper paste or extra tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 –2 teaspoons pul biber or Aleppo pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 scallions thinly sliced
  • ½ cup chopped parsley and ¼ cup chopped mint
  • Lettuce leaves and lemon wedges for serving

Method
 

  1. Simmer rinsed lentils, water, and salt until tender and nearly dry.
  2. Stir in fine bulgur, cover, and rest 15–20 minutes.
  3. Cook onion in olive oil until soft. Add tomato paste, pepper paste, cumin, pul biber, and black pepper.
  4. Mix the onion paste into the lentil-bulgur base.
  5. Add lemon juice, scallions, parsley, and mint. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Cool until handleable, then shape into ridged oval bites and serve in lettuce leaves with lemon.

Video

Notes

Mercimek Köftesi is a classic Turkish vegan meze - soft red lentils and fine bulgur kneaded with tomato paste, spices, and fresh herbs. Shaped by hand and served cold on lettuce with lemon, it's naturally vegan, oil-light, and perfect for meal-prep.
Don't cook bulgur - let hot lentils swell it 15 min. Knead with wet hands.