Ezme Recipe: Turkish Spicy Tomato & Pepper Dip

Ezme is a finely chopped Turkish meze of tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, and herbs, seasoned with pul biber, sumac, and pomegranate molasses. Fresh, tangy, and pleasantly spicy, it's served as a dip or relish alongside grilled meats and bread. "Ezme" means "crushed," describing its rustic, hand-chopped texture.

Part of our Turkish Recipes Guide.

Key takeaways

• Ezme is a fresh, spicy chopped salad-dip — no cooking required.
• Key flavors come from pul biber, sumac, and pomegranate molasses.
• Chop everything finely by hand for the authentic texture.
• Perfect with grilled meats, as a meze, or scooped with warm bread.

What ingredients do you need for ezme?

• 3 ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 long green pepper (or bell pepper), finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1–2 garlic cloves, minced
• Handful of parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp pepper paste (optional, for depth)
• 1–2 tsp pul biber (Aleppo-style red pepper flakes)
• 1 tsp sumac, 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt

The seasonings make ezme. Stock pul biber and sumac from our Turkish spices collection, a good olive oil, and pantry staples from our canned & jarred food collection.

How do you make ezme step by step?

1. Finely chop the tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic, and parsley — the finer, the better.
2. Combine in a bowl with pepper paste, pul biber, and sumac.
3. Add pomegranate molasses, olive oil, and salt.
4. Mix well and let it rest 15–30 minutes so the flavors meld.
5. Taste and adjust heat, acidity, and salt before serving.

How spicy should ezme be?

It should have a noticeable kick but stay balanced by the sweet-tart molasses and fresh tomato. Adjust the pul biber to your taste — start mild and build up.

How do you serve ezme?

Serve ezme cool or at room temperature as part of a meze spread, as a relish next to grilled köfte or kebabs, or simply with warm flatbread for scooping. It's a star of any summer table. Round out your spread with our best sellers. TG Gourmet has supplied authentic Turkish spices and pantry staples across the USA since 2003.

Frequently asked questions

What does ezme mean?

"Ezme" means "crushed" or "mashed" in Turkish, referring to the finely chopped, rustic texture of the dip.

Is ezme served hot or cold?

It's served cold or at room temperature as a fresh meze — it isn't cooked.

What can I substitute for pomegranate molasses?

A little lemon juice with a touch of honey approximates the sweet-tart note, though real pomegranate molasses gives the most authentic flavor.

How long does ezme keep?

Stored covered in the fridge, ezme keeps 2–3 days, though it's freshest the day it's made.

What do you eat ezme with?

It's classic with grilled meats and kebabs, excellent with warm bread, and great as part of a larger meze table.