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5.0 from 9 votes

Tantuni

Tantuni is an iconic Turkish street food made with lightly seasoned small cubes of beef stir-fried on a special pan.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 wraps
Calories: 395 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Turkish

Ingredients

  • 500 g steak (small diced)
  • 60 g butter or finely chopped lamb fat
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for the beef)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup water
  • 6 lavash or wheat tortilla wraps (60 grams each)
  • 2 medium tomatoes (sliced or diced)
  • 1 small red onion (finely sliced)
  • ⅓ cup chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for the salad)
  • ½ teaspoon flaked chilli (pul biber) (optional)
  • pickled small chillies to serve with

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim the steak and cut them into small cubes, the size of ½ cm (⅕ "). Set them aside. You can cut the steak larger but the cooking time would be longer.
  2. Chop the lamb fat finely and set it aside (if using).
  3. Prepare the onion salad: finely slice the onions and mix with chopped parsley salt and sumac in a medium-sized bowl. You can also add pul biber (flaked chili). Set it aside until you are ready to build the wraps.
  4. Slice or dice the tomatoes, and set them aside along with the onion salad.
  5. Place your wok or large skillet on medium heat and then add the lamb fat (if using)to render it. Or add olive oil or butter to the wok and heat the pan before adding the beef.
  6. Cook the beef until it releases its water and absorbs it back, for about 10 minutes.
  7. Add the salt, black pepper, and paprika, and sauté the beef for another minute.
  8. Pour in the water and cook for another 10 minutes until half of the liquid evaporates.
  9. To build your wraps, place a piece of lavash or wheat tortilla wrap on top of the meat to absorb the gravy.
  10. Leave the lavash for 20 seconds until it is soaked with gravy and place it on a plate, the clean side is down.
  11. Top the lavash with chopped tomato, onion salad, and two tablespoons of beef. Tightly wrap it, securing both sides to keep the filling in.
  12. Repeat the same with the remaining wraps and meat.
  13. Cut them in halves and serve immediately with extra salad, tomatoes, and pickled chilies on the side.

Notes

  • Although this recipe recalls only paprika, black pepper, and salt as spices, you can add any flavors you like such as cumin, dry thyme, or chilies.
  • If you cut the steak into larger pieces, the cooking time will be longer.
  • This recipe will make 6 wraps, and one wrap made with onion salad, tomatoes and beef contain only 395 kcal.
  • Tantuni is traditionally made with lean beef but some recipes call for lamb meat, minced meat, or even chicken.
  • The beef you use should be nicely cleaned of any silverskin, sinews, and fat to achieve a tender cooked tantuni.

Nutrition Information

Calories 395kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 23g (35%) Saturated Fat 11g (55%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 72mg (24%) Sodium 790mg (33%) Potassium 375mg (11%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 961IU (19%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 105mg (11%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6wraps

Amount Per Serving

Calories 395

% Daily Value*

Calories 395kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 23g 35%
Saturated Fat 11g 55%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 790mg 33%
Potassium 375mg 8%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 961IU 19%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 105mg 11%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.