Turkish Beef Herb Soup with Sour Plums

Immerse yourself in the comforting, aromatic allure of Turkish Beef Herb Soup with Sour Plums, a classic dish that effortlessly blends rich, tender beef with vibrant herbs and the tangy complexity of sour plums. This hearty soup features a base of perfectly sautéed onions, garlic, and butter, enriched with earthy cumin and brightened by a trio of fresh parsley, dill, and mint. The addition of sour plums—or dried ones soaked overnight—infuses the broth with a subtle tartness, balancing the natural sweetness of carrots and celery. Simmered slowly with beef broth and water, the stew meat becomes irresistibly tender, creating a depth of flavor that pairs beautifully with crusty bread or fluffy rice. Ideal for cozy evenings, this recipe brings together traditional Turkish ingredients and techniques to craft a dish that's both satisfying and soul-warming.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 500 grams beef stew meat, cubed
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 5 whole sour plums (or dried, soaked overnight)
• 1 liter beef broth
• 500 ml water
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the cubed beef to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the diced carrots and celery, cooking for 5 minutes to soften slightly.

Step 6

Add the sour plums, beef broth, and water to the pot. Bring to a boil.

Step 7

Lower the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and allow it to cook for 60-75 minutes, or until the beef is tender.

Step 8

Add the ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to season the soup. Stir well.

Step 9

Remove the sour plums if desired (they will have softened and infused their flavor).

Step 10

Stir in the fresh parsley, dill, and mint, reserving a bit for garnish.

Step 11

Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 12

Adjust seasoning to taste, then ladle the soup into bowls.

Step 13

Garnish with the reserved herbs and serve warm with crusty bread or rice on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2573.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2037.7

Total Fat 127.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 54.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 465.8mg	0%
Sodium 6783.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.3g	0%
Total Sugars 70.6g
Protein 120.0g	0%

Vitamin D 4.5IU	0%
Calcium 396.0mg	0%
Iron 20.0mg	0%
Potassium 4065.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.4%

Protein: 22.4%

Carbs: 24.1%