Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas Recipe

Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas Recipe (Etli Nohut Yemeği)

Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas, known in Turkey as Etli Nohut, is one of the most beloved comfort dishes in Anatolian home cooking. Deeply rooted in everyday Turkish cuisine, this hearty stew has been prepared for generations as an affordable, nutritious, and deeply satisfying meal. Chickpeas, one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world, play a central role in Turkish food culture, especially during colder months.

What makes this dish truly special is its simplicity. Cubed beef slowly simmered with chickpeas creates a rich, savory sauce that feels both nourishing and comforting. In traditional households, Etli Nohut is often cooked in large pots and enjoyed over several days, as the flavors deepen and improve with time.

Legumes like chickpeas are internationally recognized for their health benefits. According to research published in Nutrients Journal (2021), chickpeas are associated with improved heart health, better blood sugar control, and increased satiety due to their high fiber and plant protein content. When combined with moderate portions of beef, this dish offers a balanced profile of protein, iron, and essential minerals.

In Turkey, this dish is almost always served with buttery rice pilaf or bulgur pilaf, accompanied by crisp pickles that cut through the richness of the stew. Simple, filling, and timeless, Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas remains a staple on family tables across the country

Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas

Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas is a classic Anatolian stew made with tender beef and chickpeas simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce. Nutritious, comforting, and traditionally served with rice or bulgur pilaf.

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Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dishes

Cuisine Turkish

Servings 5 people

Calories 285 kcal

Ingredients

  

Meat Chickpea Stew

• 500 gr beef cubes
• 2 chickpeas, soaked overnight
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 piece onions,chopped
• 1 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoons red pepper paste
• ½ tablespoons ground red pepper
• ½ tablespoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoons salt
• Hot water or beef stock

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Boil beef cubes in water until tender; drain and set aside.
• Boil soaked chickpeas until soft; drain.
• Sauté onions in butter and olive oil until lightly golden.
• Add tomato and red pepper paste and cook briefly.
• Add spices and hot broth.
• Stir in beef and chickpeas.
• Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
• Serve hot.

Notes

For best results, soak the chickpeas overnight to ensure even cooking and a creamy texture. Cooking the beef and chickpeas separately helps prevent uneven softness. This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

Ingredients

For the Meat Chickpea Stew

• 500 g beef cubes (chuck or stew meat)

• 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 medium onions, finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon red pepper paste

• ½ teaspoon ground red pepper

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon salt

• Hot water or beef stock, as needed

Preparation & Cooking Steps

Cooking the Meat and Chickpeas

1. Place the beef cubes in a deep pot, add enough water to cover, and boil over medium heat for 30–35 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. In a separate pot, boil the soaked chickpeas in fresh water until soft. Drain and reserve.

Preparing the Stew

3. Heat butter and olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

4. Add chopped onions and sauté until lightly golden.

5. Stir in tomato paste and red pepper paste, cooking briefly to release their aroma.

6. Add ground red pepper, black pepper, and salt.

7. Pour in hot beef broth or water and mix well.

8. Add the cooked chickpeas and beef cubes.

9. Simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors combine.

Serving

10. Serve hot with rice or bulgur pilaf and traditional Turkish pickles.

Tips & Tricks

• Always soak chickpeas overnight to reduce cooking time and improve texture.

• Cooking meat and chickpeas separately prevents uneven softness.

• The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors mature.

• Pressure cookers can be used to save time.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 285 kcal

• Protein: 22 g

• Fat: 12 g

• Carbohydrates: 24 g

• Fiber: 7 g

📌 Based on USDA FoodData Central values for chickpeas and beef.

Serving Suggestions

Turkish Style Meat Chickpeas is traditionally served with buttered rice pilaf or bulgur pilaf. Pickled cucumbers or mixed Turkish pickles provide a refreshing contrast. A simple yogurt side dish also pairs well.

Closing Thoughts

This classic Turkish chickpea stew reflects the heart of home cooking in Turkey—simple ingredients, slow cooking, and deeply comforting flavors. Nutritious, budget-friendly, and satisfying, it is a dish that continues to earn its place on tables across generations.