Tantuni is a Turkish street food consisting of marinated beef or lamb, fresh vegetables, and a sauce served in a savory, crispy flatbread. Using onions, tomatoes, green peppers, and parsley, the spicy wrap is considered to be a healthier fast food option in Turkey and is popular across the country.
Tantuni is often referred to as the Turkish equivalent of a taco.
Origin and Cultural Significance
The origin of Tantani isn’t certain. However, there are many theories as to how the dish came about. The dish can be traced back to the port city of Mersin on the Mediterranean coast; however, who invented it and why it was created is up for debate.
Some people believe the dish was created by the nomads, while others claim Arabs created the dish. Another theory is that poorer residents would create the dish with leftover minced meat or offal and scraps from the butcher’s shop.
Finally, many people believe the dish was created from necessity, providing fishermen and laborers with a quick, cheap, and filling meal that would sustain them throughout the workday. However, over time the simple dish has evolved to become one of Turkey’s best loved street foods offering the taste of authentic Turkish cuisine.
Tantani isn’t typically made at home, it is more commonly enjoyed as a street snack sold from stalls, carts, and small diner style eateries and popular with both the locals and tourists.
Tantuni Recipe
Tantuni is a Turkish street food consisting of marinated beef or lamb, fresh vegetables, and a sauce served in a savory, crispy flatbread.
Ingredients
- Beef or lamb (thinly sliced, preferably flank or sirloin) - 400g
- Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
- Onions (thinly sliced) - 2
- Green peppers (thinly sliced) - 2
- Tomatoes (diced) - 2
- Garlic cloves (minced) - 2
- Ground cumin - 1 tsp
- Paprika - 1 tsp
- Fresh parsley (chopped) - for garnish
- Tomato paste - 2 tbsp
- Pomegranate molasses (optional but highly recommended) - 1 tbsp
- Red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - 1 tsp
- Salt (to taste)
- Large flatbreads (lavash or yufka) - 4
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the thinly sliced beef or lamb and stir-fry for a few minutes until it starts to brown.
- Add the sliced onions and green peppers. Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes and minced garlic. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Season the mixture with ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking until the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
- In a small bowl, mix together the tomato paste, pomegranate molasses (if using), red pepper flakes, and salt. Adjust the spiciness to your liking.
- Warm the flatbreads on a griddle or in a dry skillet for a few seconds on each side until they become pliable.
- Lay a flatbread on a clean surface. Place a lettuce leaf in the center.
- Spoon a generous amount of the Tantuni filling over the lettuce.
- Drizzle the Tantuni sauce over the filling.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley leaves and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Carefully fold in the sides of the flatbread and then roll it up tightly.
- Repeat the process for the remaining flatbreads and filling.
- Serve your homemade Tantuni immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 495Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 642mgCarbohydrates: 67gFiber: 5gSugar: 12gProtein: 21g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.