Spices and dried herbs
- Pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes)Used for (examples)Mercimek çorbası and mantıTurkish grocerSpice aisle
- Urfa biber (isot)Used for (examples)Kısır and lahmacunTurkish grocerSpice aisle
- SumacUsed for (examples)Salads and lahmacunTurkish grocerSpice aisle
- Dried mintUsed for (examples)Cacık and mantı yogurt sauceSupermarketSpice aisle
- Dried oreganoUsed for (examples)MenemenSupermarketSpice aisle
- Ground cuminUsed for (examples)Köfte and lentil soupSupermarketSpice aisle
- Black pepperUsed for (examples)Köfte and karnıyarıkSupermarketSpice aisle
Pastes, syrups and oils
- Red pepper paste (biber salçası)Used for (examples)Kısır and mantı butter sauceTurkish grocerCanned and jarred goods
- Tomato pasteUsed for (examples)Kuru fasulye and karnıyarıkSupermarketCanned and jarred goods
- Pomegranate molasses (nar ekşisi)Used for (examples)Kısır and salad dressingsTurkish grocerBaking aisle
- Grape molasses (pekmez)Used for (examples)Mixed with tahini as a spreadTurkish grocerBaking aisle
- TahiniUsed for (examples)Mixed with pekmezSupermarketInternational aisle
- Olive oilUsed for (examples)Everyday cooking, and the whole zeytinyağlı familySupermarketOil and vinegar
Grains, legumes and dough
- Fine bulgurUsed for (examples)KısırTurkish grocerRice, pasta and grains
- Medium or coarse bulgurUsed for (examples)Bulgur pilavıSupermarketRice, pasta and grains
- Rice (baldo or any short-grain)Used for (examples)Pilav and dolma fillingSupermarketRice, pasta and grains
- Red lentilsUsed for (examples)Mercimek çorbasıSupermarketDried beans and lentils
- Dried white beansUsed for (examples)Kuru fasulyeSupermarketDried beans and lentils
- YufkaUsed for (examples)BörekTurkish grocerFreezer aisle
Fresh each week
- Flat-leaf parsleyUsed for (examples)Kısır and karnıyarıkSupermarketProduce section
- ScallionsUsed for (examples)KısırSupermarketProduce section
- Fresh mintUsed for (examples)Garnish for cacıkSupermarketProduce section
- Green peppersUsed for (examples)Menemen and bulgur pilavıSupermarketProduce section
- EggplantUsed for (examples)KarnıyarıkSupermarketProduce section
- TomatoesUsed for (examples)Menemen and karnıyarıkSupermarketProduce section
- CucumbersUsed for (examples)CacıkSupermarketProduce section
- OnionsUsed for (examples)The base of most stews and pilafsSupermarketProduce section
- GarlicUsed for (examples)Almost everything, and raw in yogurt saucesSupermarketProduce section
- LemonsUsed for (examples)Wedges for mercimek çorbasıSupermarketProduce section
- Plain whole-milk yogurtUsed for (examples)Cacık and mantı sauceSupermarketDairy case
- Beyaz peynir (white brined cheese)Used for (examples)Breakfast and börekTurkish grocerDairy case
- Kaşar cheeseUsed for (examples)Kaşarlı tost (toasted cheese sandwich)Turkish grocerDairy case
- SucukUsed for (examples)Sucuklu yumurta (eggs with sucuk)Turkish grocerRefrigerated case
