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A close-up of Çılbır, featuring two perfectly poached eggs nestled in creamy yogurt, drizzled with chili butter and fresh herbs, with a piece of toast.

Çılbır: Turkish Eggs with Creamy Yogurt & Butter Sauce

Çılbır, a traditional Turkish dish, features perfectly poached eggs nestled on a bed of creamy, garlicky yogurt, all drizzled with a warm, spiced butter sauce. It's a delightful and flavorful brunch option.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Make-ahead 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: Turkish
Calories: 394

Ingredients
  

For the Herbed Yogurt
  • 1 cup whole milk Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tbsp 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
For Serving
  • 4 large eggs recommended 2 per person
  • 1 Tbsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1 Pita or crusty bread
  • 1 Flaky sea salt
  • 1 Freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp Aleppo pepper

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • saucepan
  • ramekin
  • Slotted spoon
  • Plate
  • Pan
  • Shallow bowls

Method
 

  1. Make the herbed yogurt. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 grated garlic clove, 1 Tbsp chopped dill, and ½ tsp kosher salt. Whisk well, then set aside.
  2. Poach the eggs. Fill a medium saucepan with at least 3 inches of water, then add 1 Tbsp white vinegar. Set over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Crack each egg into a small ramekin or bowl. When the water is just below a simmer, carefully drop one egg at a time into the water and poach for 3 minutes, or until the whites are fully set, but the yolk is still runny. Do two eggs at a time for even cooking.
  3. Drain the eggs. Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the poached eggs to a paper towel or kitchen towel lined plate to absorb excess moisture. Repeat with remaining eggs.
  4. Make the sauce. Place 3 Tbsp butter and 1 tsp Aleppo pepper in a pan over medium heat. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring often.
  5. Assemble, then serve! Divide yogurt evenly between shallow bowls. Top each with two poached eggs, then spoon the sauce on top. Garnish with additional fresh dill or mint, then sprinkle each poached egg with flaky sea salt. Serve immediately with pita or crusty bread.

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 24gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 412mgSodium: 392mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 913IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 186mgIron: 2mg

Notes

The yogurt mixture can be prepared a day in advance. The eggs can be poached 1 day in advance. Store in a sealed container filled with ice cold water, then refrigerate until needed. When ready to eat, heat a saucepan of water on a stovetop over medium heat. When it’s hot, lower each egg into the warm water for 30-60 seconds, then serve.

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