Go Back
+ servings

Lahmacun Recipe

Crisp, thin, and bursting with rich, spiced lamb flavor, Lahmacun is a street food classic that brings vibrant Middle Eastern aromas straight to your kitchen. Rolled up with fresh veggies and a squeeze of lemon, every bite is a celebration of bold, savory goodness.
Pin Print Save
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Keyword: Lahmacun Recipe
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8 Lahmacuns
Calories: 300kcal

Ingredients

For the dough base

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
  • 1 teaspoon fast-acting instant yeast
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • cup lukewarm water adjust as needed

For the topping

  • ½ lb ground lamb or beef, if preferred
  • 2 shallots or ½ red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic use one if very large
  • 1 tomato large, or 2 small
  • ½ red bell pepper
  • 1 cup parsley leaves lightly packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper or substitute with red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pine nuts optional

Instructions

To prepare the dough

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Stir briefly to distribute the dry ingredients evenly. Drizzle in the olive oil and pour in most of the lukewarm water. Stir to bring the dough together, adding more water as needed until a soft but manageable dough forms. Mixing by hand can help to better gauge the texture.
  • Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. Clean out the mixing bowl, lightly oil it, and return the dough to the bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

To prepare the topping

  • Roughly chop the shallots (or onion), garlic, tomato, and red pepper. Remove the thicker parsley stems, keeping the tender parts. Place the chopped vegetables and parsley into a food processor and pulse until finely minced, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure an even texture.
  • Add the ground lamb, tomato, spices (allspice, cumin, paprika, Aleppo pepper, and salt), tomato paste, and olive oil to the food processor. Blend again until everything is well combined into a cohesive mixture. Refrigerate the topping if not using immediately.

To assemble and cook the lahmacun

  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat, or preheat baking sheets if using them instead.
  • Punch down the risen dough and divide it into eight equal portions. Let the dough balls rest for about 5 minutes to relax the gluten. Keeping the unused dough covered, roll out one ball at a time into a thin round or oval shape about 6 to 8 inches (15–20 cm) wide.
  • Place the rolled-out dough onto a piece of parchment paper. Spread a thin layer of the meat topping over the dough, pressing it gently with your fingers to cover the surface evenly. If desired, sprinkle a few pine nuts on top for a delightful crunch.
  • Transfer the prepared lahmacun, along with the parchment, onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes, rotating if needed, until the edges are crisp and browned and the topping is cooked through. It’s best to bake one or two at a time, preparing the next ones as the previous batches finish baking.
  • Serve the lahmacun hot, rolled up with slices of fresh tomato, a squeeze of lemon, and, if you like, a scattering of thinly sliced red onion or chopped salad for added freshness.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcal
Did you make this recipe?Want more delicious recipes like this? Follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration! Click here to Follow me on Pinterest @Sevten