I ran across Urfa pepper flakes in my pantry and I wondered what recipe I bought them for. Then I received one of Zingerman’s small booklets on their soups. There was this chili recipe which also appears in their big cookbook – that’s where I originally saw it. Chili is always good this time of year, it looked simple to make and add to my collection of chili recipes. Besides I was anxious to try out this new ingredient.
Urfa Biber (or Urfa pepper) is a Turkish chile pepper coming from the town of Urfa in the southern part of Turkey on the Syrian border. It has a dark, burgundy color, irregularly sized flakes and salty-sweet-smoky-sour flavor. It has notes of chocolate and wine tannins, and a very pleasant heat. It starts out as a red sweet and spicy pepper, similar to the Aleppo pepper. It’s cured in the sun where it develops its characteristic flavor profile. Finally, it’s ground into flakes with a little bit of sea salt and sunflower seed oil.
It’s one of those ingredients that can be added to almost anything, so they say. It elevates everything and improves what it touches even sprinkled on top of raw vegetables.
What to use it for: grilled meats and vegetables, in stews and chilis, salad dressings, sprinkled on some eggs or added to chocolate desserts.
For more chili recipes:
Turkey Chili (Art Smith – former Oprah Chef)
Zingerman's Turkey Urfa Chili
- 2 tbsp. canola oil
- 1-1/4 cups onions, small dice
- fine sea salt to sprinkle over the onions
- 3 cloves garlic, minced – a tbsp. is good
- 1 lb. ground turkey (I used 85% lean)
- 2-1/2 tsp. cumin
- 2-1/2 tsp. green chili powder
- 1-1/2 tbsp. Urfa pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp. sea salt (add to taste – this was not in the booklet but in the Bakehouse cookbook)
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper (I used 1/2 tsp.)
- 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 3 (15 oz.) cans kidney beans (I used 2, not 3, small red beans instead of kidney beans, no salt added, drained)
- sour cream (optional)
- scallions, green part sliced (optional)
- I added some grated cheddar
- bacon bits would be another good choice to add
Heat the oil in a large stockpot until shimmering. Add the onions and a generous sprinkle of salt. Saute until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Add the ground turkey and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until the turkey is no longer pink.
Add the cumin, green chili powder, Urfa pepper and black pepper. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes.
Add the beans and both kinds of tomatoes. Mix well and bring to a simmer for 30 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid scorching. Garnish with sour cream and scallions if desired.
Served with my Focaccia using frozen bread dough
NOTE: There are some minor differences between the soup cookbook (which is the recipe I used) and the Bakehouse cookbook. 1-/2 cups of onions versus 1-1/4; sea salt is not sprinkled over the onions; and 1 tbsp. sea salt is added to the chili along with the other spices. Whoa – I didn’t add that tbsp. of salt. Even for me the chili did need some salt, just not 1 tbsp.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
We’re on the same page. Today is Chili Day! 👏🍃🌶
Chili is one of my favorites to make during the colder months – I’m happy to add No. 5 recipe to my chili collection 🙂
Looks like a delicious meal for a wintry weekend!
Thanks – it’s a delicious, spicy chili with lots of great flavor. It’s raining here but snowing up North 🙂
It’s definitely chili season, and this one looks so good! I usually use beef, but like the idea of turkey. This pepper sounds interesting! 🙂
Thanks – lots of yummy flavors with some heat. Love the healthy beans and turkey. Zingerman’s used turkey and so did I. I seem to use it more than beef lately. It’s one of their customers’ favorites! You would love this pepper Ronit 🙂
Turkey is indeed a great alternative to beef. I’ll definitely be looking for this pepper. Thanks for introducing it! 🙂
I have some urfa chile pepper flakes as well. I don’t remember why I bought them, nor do I remember if I’ve used them. That’s not like me. I’m getting old! But I do love this chili recipe. And it’s a great excuse to use the chile pepper flakes.
Thanks – chili is a favorite to make during the cooler months. I see a recipe I like, order any ingredients I might need and then I forget what I was going to make. Old age, right? I usually end up figuring it out but I think I’ve had these Urfa peppers for a year!
What a great looking chili! I bet it was absolutely delicious.
Thanks – the looks match the taste! It is a hearty chili made even better with all the toppings 🙂