Çılbır: Turkish Eggs with Creamy Yogurt & Butter Sauce Recipe
Introduction
Çılbır is a traditional Turkish dish featuring perfectly poached eggs served over creamy, herbed yogurt and topped with a fragrant butter sauce. This simple yet elegant recipe balances tangy, fresh, and savory flavors, making it a delightful breakfast or brunch choice.

Ingredients
- 1 cup (240g) whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about ½ a small lemon)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and grated or minced)
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill (finely chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp fresh mint (finely chopped)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 4 large eggs (recommended 2 per person)
- 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar
- Pita or crusty bread, for serving
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the herbed yogurt. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, grated garlic, chopped dill, and kosher salt. Whisk everything together until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 2: Poach the eggs. Fill a medium saucepan with at least 3 inches of water, add the white vinegar, and heat over medium until it reaches a gentle simmer—avoid boiling. Crack each egg into a small ramekin or bowl. Carefully lower one or two eggs at a time into the water. Poach for about 3 minutes until the whites are set but yolks are still runny.
- Step 3: Drain the eggs. Use a slotted spoon to carefully lift the eggs from the water and place them on a plate lined with paper or kitchen towels to absorb excess moisture. Repeat with remaining eggs.
- Step 4: Make the butter sauce. In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the Aleppo pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Step 5: Assemble and serve. Divide the herbed yogurt between shallow bowls. Top each with two poached eggs, then spoon the spiced butter sauce over the eggs. Garnish with extra dill or mint and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately with pita or crusty bread.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh herbs like dill and mint for the best flavor; dried herbs will change the dish’s character.
- For a spicier kick, increase the Aleppo pepper or substitute with a pinch of cayenne.
- If you don’t have Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika or mild chili flakes make good alternatives.
- Poached eggs can be prepared a day ahead and gently reheated in warm water before serving.
Storage
Store leftover herbed yogurt and poached eggs separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Reheat eggs briefly in warm water to avoid overcooking. The butter sauce is best made fresh, but leftover yogurt can be mixed again before serving.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt’s thickness and creaminess make it ideal for this dish. If using regular yogurt, strain it through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove excess liquid and achieve a similar consistency.
How do I know when poached eggs are done?
The egg whites should be fully set and opaque, while the yolks remain soft and runny. Poaching for about 3 minutes usually achieves this, but timing can be adjusted slightly based on egg size and water temperature.
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Çılbır: Turkish Eggs with Creamy Yogurt & Butter Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Çılbır is a classic Turkish dish featuring perfectly poached eggs served atop creamy, tangy herbed Greek yogurt and finished with a fragrant, buttery Aleppo pepper sauce. This elegant yet simple recipe combines silky yogurt, fresh herbs, and savory eggs to create a flavorful breakfast or light meal, traditionally enjoyed with crusty bread to soak up every bite.
Ingredients
Herbed Yogurt
- 1 cup (240g) whole milk Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (about ½ a small lemon)
- 1 clove garlic (peeled and grated or minced)
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill (finely chopped, plus more for garnish)
- 2 tsp fresh mint (finely chopped)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
Poached Eggs
- 4 large eggs (recommended 2 per person)
- 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar
Butter Sauce
- 3 Tbsp (42g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp Aleppo pepper
To Serve
- Pita or crusty bread
- Flaky sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make the herbed yogurt: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, 1 grated garlic clove, 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill, and ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk these ingredients together until smooth and well combined. Set the mixture aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Poach the eggs: Fill a medium saucepan with at least 3 inches of water and add 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the water to a gentle simmer—avoid boiling. Crack each egg into a small ramekin or bowl for easier transfer. When the water is just below simmering, gently slide one or two eggs at a time into the water. Poach the eggs for about 3 minutes, or until the whites are completely set but the yolks remain runny. Cook in batches if needed to ensure even results.
- Drain the eggs: Using a slotted spoon, carefully lift the poached eggs from the water and place them on a plate lined with paper or kitchen towels to absorb excess moisture. Repeat for all eggs. Poached eggs can be made ahead of time and reheated gently when ready to serve.
- Make the butter sauce: In a small pan over medium heat, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 1 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper and cook for about 1 minute, stirring often, until the butter is fragrant and the spices release their aroma. Be careful not to burn the butter.
- Assemble and serve: Divide the herbed yogurt evenly among shallow bowls. Gently place two poached eggs on top of the yogurt in each bowl. Spoon the warm Aleppo pepper butter sauce over the eggs. Garnish with additional fresh dill or mint, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with pita or crusty bread for dipping and enjoying the rich sauce.
Notes
- Poached eggs can be prepared up to a day in advance and gently reheated in simmering water before serving.
- Use fresh herbs like dill and mint for authentic flavor; dried can be substituted but the taste will differ.
- Aleppo pepper adds a mild heat and fruity flavor; substitute with crushed red pepper flakes if unavailable.
- Adjust the lemon juice and garlic quantity in the yogurt to balance tanginess and pungency to your preference.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor; the runny yolk combines beautifully with the creamy yogurt and butter sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Çılbır, Turkish eggs, poached eggs, herbed yogurt, Aleppo pepper, breakfast, Middle Eastern cuisine

