Turkish Stuffed Onions
(Onion Dolma Recipe)

These Turkish stuffed onions, also known as onion dolma, are a unique and flavorful take on traditional stuffed vegetables. Soft onion layers are filled with a rich mixture of ground beef, rice, and spices, then baked until tender and perfectly seasoned.

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The result is a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and aromatic dish that’s both comforting and impressive.

Perfect for special meals or when you want to try something different from classic dolma recipes.

Ingredients

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For the onions:

• 6 large onions, boiled

Filling:

• 300 g ground beef

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 3/4 cup rice

• 1 tablespoon pepper paste

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/2 cup water

• 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon cumin

• Fresh parsley, chopped

Sauce:

• 50 g melted butter

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon pepper paste

• 2 ladles onion cooking water

• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

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👩‍🍳 How to Make Stuffed Onions

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1. Boil the onions for about 15 minutes until softened.

2. Let them cool, then carefully separate into layers. Remove tough inner membranes if needed.

3. In a bowl, mix ground beef, chopped onion, garlic, rice, olive oil, water, pomegranate molasses, spices, and parsley.

4. Fill each onion layer with the prepared mixture and roll tightly.

5. Place in a baking dish.

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Prepare the sauce:

1. Mix melted butter, tomato paste, pepper paste, onion water, pomegranate molasses, and salt.

2. Pour the sauce over the stuffed onions.

3. Cover with damp parchment paper.

4. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (400°F) for 45–50 minutes.

5. Remove the cover for the last 10 minutes to allow browning.

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Serve warm.