Turkish eggs, also known as Cilbir, is a delightful and savory breakfast dish that combines creamy Greek yogurt with perfectly poached eggs. Topped with a spicy chili butter sauce, this dish is a flavor explosion that will elevate your morning routine.
If you don't usually stock Greek yogurt or paprika in your pantry, you might need to make a quick trip to the supermarket. Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, making it perfect for this dish. Paprika adds a smoky depth to the chili butter sauce, so it's worth seeking out.
Ingredients For Turkish Eggs Recipe
Eggs: The main protein component, poached to perfection.
Greek yogurt: Provides a creamy and tangy base for the dish.
Butter: Used to create the rich and spicy chili butter sauce.
Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor to the butter sauce.
Chili flakes: Brings heat and spice to the dish.
Garlic: Minced and mixed with the yogurt for added flavor.
Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and seasoning.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When poaching eggs, ensure the water is at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil. This helps the egg whites to set properly without becoming overly tough. Adding a splash of vinegar to the water helps the egg whites coagulate more quickly, resulting in a neater poached egg.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
eggs - Substitute with tofu: Tofu can be scrambled and seasoned to mimic the texture and flavor of eggs, making it a suitable plant-based alternative.
greek yogurt - Substitute with coconut yogurt: Coconut yogurt provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, suitable for those who are dairy-free or vegan.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide a rich flavor and smooth texture, making it a good alternative to butter, especially for those avoiding dairy.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a similar color and a slightly smoky flavor, enhancing the dish with a different depth of taste.
chili flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat and spice, making it a good alternative for chili flakes.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, offering a similar flavor profile in a more convenient form.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, serving as a good alternative to salt, especially in savory dishes.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor, but with a slightly different taste profile, making it a suitable substitute for black pepper.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the poached eggs to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and maintains their texture.
- Transfer the poached eggs to an airtight container. Place a damp paper towel at the bottom to keep them moist.
- Store the poached eggs in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in simmering water for 1-2 minutes before serving.
- For the yogurt mixture, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- The chili butter can be stored separately in a small airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- To freeze, place the cooled poached eggs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw frozen poached eggs in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in simmering water for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- The yogurt mixture and chili butter are not recommended for freezing as they may separate or lose their texture.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Gently reheat the poached eggs by placing them in a bowl of warm water for about 2-3 minutes. This will help maintain their delicate texture without overcooking them.
- Warm the greek yogurt mixture by placing it in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until it reaches a comfortable temperature.
- Reheat the chili butter in a small skillet over low heat until it becomes foamy and fragrant again. Be careful not to burn the spices.
- Once everything is warmed up, assemble the dish by spreading the yogurt on a plate, placing the poached eggs on top, and drizzling with the reheated chili butter. Season with a bit more salt and pepper if needed.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Saucepan: Use this to bring water to a gentle simmer for poaching the eggs.
Bowls: Crack the eggs into these before sliding them into the simmering water.
Slotted spoon: This will help you gently remove the poached eggs from the water without breaking them.
Mixing bowl: Mix the Greek yogurt with minced garlic and salt in this.
Skillet: Melt the butter and cook the spices in this until fragrant.
Serving plate: Spread the yogurt mixture on this and place the poached eggs on top.
Measuring spoons: Measure out the butter, paprika, and chili flakes accurately.
Garlic press: Mince the garlic efficiently with this tool.
Spatula: Use this to spread the yogurt mixture evenly on the serving plate.
Small whisk: Mix the yogurt and garlic together smoothly with this.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Mince the garlic and measure out the yogurt, butter, and spices before starting.
Use a microwave: Soften the butter in the microwave to speed up the process.
Simultaneous cooking: While the eggs are poaching, prepare the yogurt mixture and melt the butter with spices.
Preheat skillet: Preheat the skillet while poaching the eggs to save time.
Use a timer: Set a timer for poaching the eggs to ensure they are cooked perfectly without constant checking.

Turkish Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- 1. Bring a saucepan of water to a gentle simmer. Add a splash of vinegar.
- 2. Crack the eggs into individual bowls and gently slide them into the simmering water. Poach for 3-4 minutes.
- 3. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with minced garlic and a pinch of salt. Spread the yogurt mixture on a serving plate.
- 4. In a skillet, melt the butter and add paprika and chili flakes. Cook until the butter is foamy and the spices are fragrant.
- 5. Place the poached eggs on top of the yogurt. Drizzle the chili butter over the eggs. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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