Turkish eggs, also known as Çılbır, is a delightful and savory breakfast dish that combines creamy Greek yogurt with perfectly poached eggs. The dish is elevated with a spicy butter sauce infused with paprika and red pepper flakes. This recipe is a wonderful way to start your day with a burst of flavors and textures.
If you don't typically have Greek yogurt in your fridge, you might need to pick some up at the supermarket. It's thicker and creamier than regular yogurt, which makes it perfect for this dish. Additionally, make sure you have paprika and red pepper flakes on hand, as they are essential for the spicy butter sauce that tops the dish.

Ingredients For Turkish Eggs Recipe
Eggs: The main protein of the dish, poached to perfection.
Greek yogurt: Provides a creamy and tangy base for the dish.
Garlic: Adds a robust flavor to the yogurt.
Butter: Used to create the spicy butter sauce.
Paprika: Adds a smoky flavor and vibrant color to the butter sauce.
Red pepper flakes: Brings heat and spice to the dish.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
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 more evenly around the yolk, resulting in a perfectly poached egg. Adding a splash of vinegar to the water can help the egg whites coagulate faster, giving you 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.
greek yogurt - Substitute with coconut yogurt: Coconut yogurt provides a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a good dairy-free alternative.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor profile, though it is less pungent.
butter - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used to achieve a similar richness and depth of flavor.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a similar color and a slightly smoky flavor, enhancing the dish.
red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat and spiciness.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar salty flavor along with a bit of umami.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can provide a similar heat and flavor, with a slightly different aroma.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the poached eggs to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Transfer the garlic yogurt mixture to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Store the spicy butter sauce separately in a small airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Place the cooled poached eggs in a single layer in an airtight container. If stacking is necessary, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- When ready to serve, reheat the poached eggs by placing them in a bowl of hot water for about 1-2 minutes. This will gently warm them without overcooking.
- Reheat the spicy butter sauce in a small skillet over low heat until it becomes foamy and fragrant again.
- To assemble, spread the garlic yogurt on a plate, place the reheated poached eggs on top, and drizzle with the warmed spicy butter sauce. Garnish with extra red pepper flakes if desired.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Gently reheat the poached eggs by placing them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. This will help maintain their delicate texture without overcooking them.
- Warm the garlic yogurt mixture by placing it in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Reheat the spicy butter sauce in a small skillet over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the spices from burning and to ensure the butter remains fragrant and foamy.
- Once all components are warmed, assemble the dish by spreading the garlic yogurt on a plate, placing the poached eggs on top, and drizzling with the reheated spicy butter sauce. Garnish with extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Mixing bowl: Use this to combine the Greek yogurt and minced garlic, ensuring an even mixture.
Saucepan: This is essential for bringing water to a gentle simmer to poach the eggs.
Skillet: Melt the butter and cook the spices in this to create the spicy butter sauce.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the yogurt mixture and the butter sauce.
Slotted spoon: Perfect for gently removing the poached eggs from the water.
Plate: Use this to serve the dish, spreading the garlic yogurt and placing the poached eggs on top.
Measuring spoons: These will help you measure out the paprika, red pepper flakes, and butter accurately.
Garlic press: Useful for mincing the garlic cloves efficiently.
Whisk: Ideal for mixing the yogurt and garlic to a smooth consistency.
Knife: Needed for mincing the garlic cloves.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for mincing the garlic.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients ahead: Mince the garlic and measure out the yogurt and spices in advance to streamline the cooking process.
Use a microwave: Warm the greek yogurt mixture in the microwave for a few seconds to save time on stovetop heating.
Poach multiple eggs: Poach all eggs simultaneously in a large saucepan to cut down on cooking time.
Melt butter quickly: Use a microwave to melt the butter and then add the spices in a skillet for a faster sauce.
Assemble efficiently: Lay out all components before starting assembly to ensure a quick and smooth plating process.

Turkish Eggs
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- 2. In a saucepan, bring water to a gentle simmer. Add a splash of vinegar (optional) and poach the eggs to your liking.
- 3. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add paprika and red pepper flakes, and cook until the butter is foamy and fragrant.
- 4. To serve, spread the garlic yogurt on a plate, place the poached eggs on top, and drizzle with the spicy butter sauce. Garnish with extra red pepper flakes if desired.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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