Turkish Roasted Pepper Salad with Olive Oil and Herbs
Közlenmiş Biber Salatası
This smoky Turkish salad features charred peppers dressed with golden olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The peppers become silky and tender after roasting, with a beautiful charred aroma that fills the kitchen. This vibrant, healthy dish makes an excellent meze or side that brings authentic Mediterranean flavors to any meal.
Recipe Details
Nutrition per Serving
Ingredients
Instructions
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Roast the peppers
Preheat oven to 220°C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place whole peppers on the sheet and roast over high heat for 25-30 minutes, turning every 8-10 minutes until skins are completely blackened and blistered all over. The peppers should look charred and slightly collapsed when done. Do not remove them too early or the skins won't peel easily.
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Steam and cool
Immediately transfer the hot roasted peppers to a large bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel. Let them steam for 15-20 minutes until cool enough to handle. The trapped steam will loosen the charred skins for easy removal. Do not skip this steaming step or peeling will be much more difficult.
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Peel and slice
Working over a bowl to catch juices, gently peel away all the blackened skin from each pepper using your hands or a small knife. Remove stems and seeds, then slice peppers into 2cm wide strips lengthwise. The flesh should be tender and silky. Do not rinse the peppers or you'll wash away the smoky flavor.
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Prepare aromatics
Finely mince the garlic cloves into small 2mm pieces. Roughly chop the parsley leaves and tender stems into 5mm pieces. Finely chop the mint leaves into small pieces. Mix the herbs together in a small bowl. Do not over-chop the herbs or they will become mushy and lose their fresh taste.
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Dress the salad
Arrange the pepper strips on a serving platter and sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then scatter the minced garlic and fresh herbs evenly over the top. Let the salad rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes until the flavors meld together. Do not serve immediately or the flavors won't have time to develop.
Tips
Cooking Tips
For extra smoky flavor, char the peppers directly over an open gas flame using tongs, turning frequently until blackened all over - this traditional method gives the most authentic taste.
Alternatives
Yellow or orange bell peppers can be used instead of red peppers for a sweeter flavor, or try long Italian peppers for a more intense taste and different texture.
Serving & Storage
Serve at room temperature with fresh bread and white cheese as a traditional meze, or alongside grilled fish and meat. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days - the flavors actually improve overnight.
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