Muhammara
A dark red, sweet-sour-mildly spicy Syrian meze made by crushing and blending roasted red pepper with walnuts, breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, and red pepper flakes. Spread on bread or eaten as a meze.
What Is Muhammara?
Muhammara is a Syrian mezze dip made by peeling roasted red peppers and blending them with walnuts, breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. It is one of the best-known mezze dishes of Aleppo cuisine.
It is deep red-brown in color, with a roughly blended, thick texture; its flavors balance sweet peppers, tart pomegranate, and mildly spicy red pepper flakes.
Muhammara Nutrition
100 g of muhammara provides about 320 kcal and contains fat from walnuts and olive oil. Values are approximate and vary by recipe.
How Should Muhammara Be Eaten?
Eat muhammara in moderate amounts as a dip or sauce as part of a balanced diet.
This information is general; muhammara is a food and is not a substitute for medical treatment. People with a tree nut allergy should avoid muhammara.
How to Choose Muhammara
Good muhammara is deep red-brown, has a sweet-tart pepper aroma, and contains a high proportion of real peppers and walnuts.
- The color should be deep red-brown
- It should smell sweet, tart, and peppery, not bitter or stale
- The ingredient list should show a high proportion of real peppers and walnuts
How to Store Muhammara
Muhammara can be stored for a few days in a sealed container in the refrigerator; adding a thin layer of olive oil on top reduces exposure to air and helps it stay fresh longer.
Using Muhammara in the Kitchen
Muhammara is most often served with pita or lavash as part of a mezze platter, and is also used as a sauce alongside grilled meat and vegetables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are muhammara and acuka the same?
They are closely related; both are based on red peppers and walnuts, but muhammara is from Syria/Aleppo and features pomegranate molasses, while acuka is a distinctive Turkish recipe.
How do you make muhammara at home?
Peel roasted red peppers, then pulse them in a food processor with walnuts, breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, red pepper flakes, and olive oil until coarsely blended.
Is muhammara available in Türkiye?
It is common in Southeastern Anatolian cuisine and in stores that sell Middle Eastern products, and can be found at many mezze restaurants.