Manti (Turkish Dumplings with Yoghurt and Paprika Butter)

Tiny parcels of lamb-filled dough, manti sit somewhere between dumplings and pasta, with a serving style that is unmistakably Turkish: garlicky yoghurt spooned generously over the top, followed by warm paprika butter and, often, dried mint. The dumplings are deliberately small, so each bite carries tender dough, savoury lamb and a cool, tangy sauce. In this version they are briefly baked before boiling, which helps the dough hold its shape and adds a little depth before the final simmer. It is a hands-on dish, but the reward is a bowl of rich, comforting manti with sharp yoghurt, fragrant butter and a satisfying mix of soft and lightly chewy textures.
Cuisine style Turkish home cooking
Flavor profile Garlicky • Savoury • Tangy
Techniques Kneading • Rolling • Shaping • Baking • Boiling
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly
Key equipment Rolling pin • Baking tray • Large pot
Spice level Mild

Why this recipe works

  • Baked, then boiled: A short bake firms and lightly dries the parcels before boiling, helping the dumplings keep their shape while the dough finishes tender.
  • Tangy contrast: Garlicky yoghurt cuts through the richness of the lamb filling and butter, keeping the dish balanced rather than heavy.
  • Simple aromatic finish: Sweet paprika warmed in butter adds colour, fragrance and gentle spice, while dried mint brings a fresh herbal note.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Rest the dough: The firm dough needs time to relax before rolling; skipping the rest makes it harder to stretch thinly.
  • Most time is in the shaping: Rolling, cutting and sealing the tiny parcels is the main workload, so keep the unused dough covered and the filling chilled if the kitchen is warm.
  • Serve straight away: Manti are best once drained and topped, while the dumplings are tender, the yoghurt is cool and the paprika butter is still warm.

Authenticity notes

  • Classic serving style: Manti are commonly served as small dumplings with garlicky yoghurt and warm spiced butter spooned over the top.
  • Mint finish: Dried mint is a familiar finishing touch, adding a clean herbal lift to the yoghurt and butter.
  • Paprika choice: Sweet paprika keeps the butter mild and aromatic; smoked paprika gives a deeper, smokier variation.

Make-ahead tips

  • Keep toppings separate: Store the dumplings, yoghurt and paprika butter separately so the dough does not absorb the sauce before serving.
  • Freeze without the sauces: Cooked manti can be frozen without the yoghurt or butter sauce, then reheated from frozen in simmering water until piping hot.
  • Reheat gently: Warm the dumplings in gently simmering water and heat the butter sauce separately over low heat; add the yoghurt cold at the end.

Common mistakes

  • Rolling the dough too thick: Thick dough makes the dumplings heavy and slow to cook; aim for a very thin sheet before cutting and filling.
  • Using too much filling: A tiny amount of lamb filling is enough. Overfilled parcels are difficult to seal and can open in the water.
  • Scorching the paprika butter: Warm the paprika gently in melted butter and avoid browning it, as burnt paprika turns bitter quickly.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients

Dough

Filling

To serve

Instructions
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  1. Put the flour and salt in a mixing bowl and make a well. Add the egg and water, then mix to a shaggy dough and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and firm. Cover and rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Meanwhile, grate the onion on the coarse side of a grater into a bowl, then stir in the minced lamb, black pepper and a pinch of the salt. Mix until evenly combined and slightly tacky. Keep chilled while you roll the dough if your kitchen is warm.
  3. Heat the oven to 180°C (355°F) and lightly butter a baking tray using a little of the unsalted butter. Divide the dough into 2 pieces, keeping one covered while you work. Roll the dough very thin on a lightly floured surface, aiming for about 1 mm thickness.
  4. Cut the dough into small squares, about 3 cm. Place a tiny amount of filling in the centre of each square, then pinch the corners together to form a little parcel, sealing well. Arrange the manti on the tray as you go, leaving a little space between them.
  5. Bake the manti for 15 to 20 minutes until the bottoms are lightly golden and the tops look dry. While they bake, bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Tip the baked manti into the boiling water and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until the dough is tender and the filling is cooked through.
  6. While the manti cook, whisk the Greek yogurt with the garlic and a pinch of salt until smooth. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining butter over low heat, then stir in the sweet paprika and warm for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, without letting it brown. Keep both ready by the hob.
  7. Drain the manti well and divide between bowls or plates. Spoon over the garlicky yogurt, then drizzle with the warm paprika butter. Finish with the dried mint and serve straight away.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the filling portions tiny; overfilling makes the parcels hard to seal and they can burst in the water.
  • If you are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, use pasteurised egg and ensure the lamb is cooked until piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace Greek yogurt with whole-milk yogurt for a looser, lighter topping.
  • Replace sweet paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smokier butter sauce.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Cool leftovers quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat the manti in gently simmering water for 2 to 3 minutes until piping hot; warm the butter sauce separately over low heat and add the yogurt cold. Freeze cooked manti (without yogurt and butter sauce) for up to 2 months and reheat from frozen in simmering water until piping hot.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h 30min (1h 20min active)
  • Difficulty: Advanced
  • Cuisine: Turkish
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Gluten Milk Wheat
Freezer friendly

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