This Turkish Inspired Eggs Cilbir comes together in about 30 minutes and features a marvelous poaching method that makes it a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the toppings to suit your taste, or even better, use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of those random leftover ingredients. Seriously, the versatility is off the charts, and you won’t believe how amazing your kitchen will smell!
Ingredients Breakdown
- Eggs : Two large eggs
- Plain Yogurt : 1 cup of plain yogurt
- Olive Oil : 1 tablespoon
- Crushed Garlic : 1 teaspoon
- Vinegar : 1 tablespoon of vinegar
- Salt & Pepper : A couple pinches
- Paprika and Fresh Herbs : (optional for garnish)
How to Make Turkish Inspired Eggs – Cilbir
Mix the Yogurt: In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, crushed garlic, a couple pinches of salt, and pepper. Stir until it’s creamy and smooth. Set this aside because it’s about to transform your dish!
Prep the Water: Fill a pot with water and add the vinegar. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. You want the water to be gently bubbling, not boiling furiously trust me, this makes for a much nicer poached egg.
Poach the Eggs: Crack the eggs into small cups or ramekins. Create a gentle whirlpool in the simmering water with a spoon and carefully slide the eggs into the center. Let them poach for about 3-4 minutes until the whites are set but the yolks are still gloriously runny.
Remove the Eggs: With a slotted spoon, remove the eggs and carefully place them on a plate. Look at that perfect poaching job!
Plate It Up: Grab a serving plate and spoon the garlic yogurt mixture onto it, creating little nests for your poached eggs. This is where the magic happens rich, creamy, and oh-so-satisfying!
Finish with Flavor: Drizzle olive oil over the beauties, sprinkle with paprika, and top with fresh herbs. Seriously, look at that color pop!
Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately with some crusty toast or warm pita bread to soak up all that yummy goodness. Your family will love it, and they won’t even guess how easy it was!

Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly? This is my go-to recipe when I’m looking for something comforting yet incredibly easy. I’m a real sucker for comfort food that feels fancy, and Cilbir hits that spot perfectly. The best part is that you can use whatever you’ve got on hand, making it versatile for any day of the week. I’m telling you, every time I prepare this, it just lights up my kitchen and brightens my day!
If you loved this easy Turkish Inspired Eggs – Cilbir, be sure to check out my Turkish Salad, my Kuru Fasulye Recipe (Turkish Beans), or my Turkish Pita!
Why This Recipe Works
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor! The creamy yogurt combined with the rich, runny egg yolk is what comfort food dreams are made of. Plus, the simple ingredients come together to create something truly satisfying.
Budget-Friendly
With reasonable everyday ingredients, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights. It’s also a great way to use up items lying around in your fridge, which means less waste and more dollars saved!
Quick & Easy
The secret to this delicious Cilbir is that it comes together all in one pot, minimal cleanup required! You can whip this up in under 30 minutes, perfect for the most hectic nights when you have no idea what to make for dinner.
Customizable
Want to make it a vegetarian feast? Toss in some sautéed spinach or roasted veggies. Prefer it spicy? Add a sprinkle of chili flakes! You can change up ingredients based on what you have, making this a versatile dinner option anytime.
Family-Friendly
This recipe is such a crowd-pleaser, the whole family will love it! My kids actually fight over who gets the last yolk, and that’s saying something! It’s not just delicious; it’s also an easy way to sneak in some protein. Winning!
Serving & Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions
Serve Cilbir with a side of toasted or grilled bread, it’s perfect for scooping all the delicious yogurt and egg. You can even add some sliced tomatoes or a fresh salad for a wholesome dinner!
Storage
Cilbir is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, they’ll keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store the yogurt mixture separate from the eggs to maintain the freshness.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, gently warm the yogurt in the microwave before adding the eggs back on top. Avoid boiling the eggs, warm them on the stovetop with a little water instead. They’ll be just as tasty the next day!
Freezer Friendly
While it’s not recommended to freeze, you could prep the yogurt mixture ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. That way, you can poach the eggs fresh whenever you’re ready!
So, if you’re looking for a super easy, deliciously creamy, and totally satisfying dish that will impress your family (and maybe even yourself!), I highly recommend you whip up this Turkish Inspired Eggs, Cilbir! Trust me, with how quick and simple it is, you’ll find yourself making it again and again!
Remember, food is all about bringing people together. So grab your favorite bread, call the kids (or not, no judgment), and dig into this amazing meal! You won’t regret it. Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Happy cooking, friends!

Turkish Inspired Eggs – Cilbir
Ingredients
Method
- In a small bowl, mix together the yogurt, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper until creamy and smooth. Set aside.
- Fill a pot with water, add vinegar, and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
- Crack the eggs into small cups. Create a gentle whirlpool in the simmering water and carefully slide the eggs in.
- Let poach for about 3-4 minutes until whites are set but yolks remain runny.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove eggs and place them on a plate.
- On a serving plate, spoon the garlic yogurt mixture and create nests for the poached eggs.
- Drizzle olive oil over the top, sprinkle with paprika, and garnish with fresh herbs.
- Serve immediately with crusty toast or warm pita.