Turkish Stuffed Eggplants

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Turkish Stuffed Eggplants with Lamb, Garlic Yogurt & Paprika Butter

A Middle Eastern–inspired recipe featuring roasted eggplants stuffed with spiced lamb, drizzled with garlic-herb yogurt, and finished with smoky paprika butter. Comforting, flavorful, and perfect for dinner with rice or flatbread.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Stuffed Eggplants
  • 4 eggplants halved lengthwise
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 500 g lamb mince
  • 1 white onion diced
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp chilli flakes
  • 2 tsp sumac
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
For the Garlic-Herb Yogurt Sauce
  • 3/4 cup greek yoghurt
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
For the Paprika Butter
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp chilli flakes
  • pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Roast the Eggplants – Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Cut eggplants in half lengthwise, brush with olive oil, and place cut side up on a baking tray. Roast for 45 minutes until soft and golden.
  2. Cook the Lamb Filling – Heat a large pan over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic until softened. Add lamb and cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, sumac, ginger, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until thick and flavourful.
  3. Make the Yogurt Sauce – In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, garlic, mint, dill, lemon juice, and salt. Refrigerate until serving.
  4. Prepare Paprika Butter – Melt butter in a small saucepan. Stir in paprika, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Remove from heat.
  5. Assemble – Fill roasted eggplants with lamb mixture. Drizzle with garlic-herb yogurt and spoon over paprika butter. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

Notes

  • Serve with rice or flatbread.
  • To make vegetarian, substitute lamb with lentils or plant-based mince.
  • Adjust chilli flakes for spice level.