It’s no secret that Americans love pizza. An estimated three billion pizzas are sold each year! In fact, 93% of us will eat a slice at least once in the next month. So why not switch it up?
Enter lahmacun (pronounced LAH-mah-joon) a delicacy composed of a cracker-thin crust topped with a variety of zesty toppings, plus ground beef or lamb. It’s a pizza that’s popular in Armenia, Turkey and other Middle Eastern countries. You may have seen it spelled lehmejun, lahmajoon, lahmajun—no matter what, the word refers to this incredible recipe.
What is lahmacun?
It’s beloved street food in Turkey and roughly translates from Arabic to mean “dough with meat.” After cooking in the oven for around 10 minutes, the specialty is typically topped with a hearty chopped salad, a winning pairing with American pizza, too. Don’t forget a splash of lemon juice and parsley, a traditional garnish that adds an extra pop of flavor!
Here’s our quick, contest-winning recipe for lahmacun!
What’s the difference between American pizza and lahmacun?
Well, lahmacun has no cheese or tomato sauce! But popular toppings include onion, garlic and green pepper, which is similar to a traditional American pizza. The vegetables are mixed with a ground meat of your choosing and placed on top of thin dough, similar to a tortilla. (Kids and other picky eaters in your family will enjoy the freedom to select their own toppings.)
Unlike American pizza, lahmacun is commonly rolled up and eaten like a burrito, with the ultra thin crust giving it a satisfying crunch. As long as you don’t use milk or butter to make the dough, this dairy-free meal is a great alternative for those who are lactose-intolerant. Remove the meat and you have a great vegan option, too.
Check out some of our other favorite pizza flavors from around the world.
More Unexpected Recipes for Pizza
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I'm now a professional chef, but I loved making this recipe for the family on Friday nights as a home cook. We like to shake pizza up with unique, fresh toppings. —Christine Wendland, Browns Mills, New Jersey
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I'm a huge fan of Thai food, but don't always have the time to make it at home. To get my fix, I top fluffy naan bread with a ginger-peanut sauce, fresh veggies, a sprinkle of cilantro and a spicy squiggle of Sriracha. —Rachel Seis, Taste of Home Senior Editor
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These fun French bread pizzas are great picnic fare for both kids and adults. Tasty on the grill, they can just as easily be baked in the oven. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
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This recipe is quick and easy, and because you're making individual pizzas, each one can be personalized. —Athena Russell, Greenville, South Carolina
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We pile veggies onto flatbread for a fun way to eat healthier. Our go-to recipe for weeknights easily changes with different veggies or meats. —Darla Andrews, Lewisville, Texas
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Between working full-time, going to school and raising three children, finding time-saving recipes that my family likes is one of my biggest challenges. These quick pizzas pack a huge amount of flavor. —Amy Grim, Chillicothe, Ohio
Salad-Topped Flatbread Pizzas
The crisp veggies on top of the cream, cheese and meat are so refreshing. And the vinaigrette gives these pizzas a nice zing. —Julie Merriman, Cold Brook, New York
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These easy little pizzas are a wonderful change of pace from the classic cookout menu. Let everybody go crazy with the toppings. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Convenient prebaked crust makes this tasty taco pizza as easy as can be. It's a great recipe, especially if you have teenagers. I keep the ingredients on hand so that we can whip up this filling meal anytime. —Mary Cass, Baltimore, Maryland
Chicken Cordon Bleu Pizza
This recipe combines my two favorite foods—pizza and chicken cordon bleu. I've made this for my family and the teachers at my school. Now my teachers ask me to make it for them for lunch! —Justin Rippel, Colgate, Wisconsin
Lahmajoon (Armenian Pizza)
With my family's Armenian background, I grew up surrounded by great cooks. Since Armenian food is time-consuming and labor-intensive, cooking for any party started weeks in advance. I learned to cook from my mom but have revamped many of her dishes to make them healthier, simpler and quicker, like this version of Armenian Pizza. —Jean L. Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin
Barbecued Chicken Pizzas
So fast and so easy with refrigerated pizza crust, these saucy, smoky pizzas make quick fans with their hot-off-the-grill, rustic flavor. They're perfect for spur-of-the-moment cookouts and summer dinners on the patio. —Alicia Trevithick, Temecula, California
Grilled Apple Pizza
Mmm! Start with this basic apple pizza, then dress it up any way you like using the ideas at the end of the recipe. —R. Sandlin, Prescott Valley, Arizona
Grilled Eggplant Pita Pizzas
We grow eggplant and love to use it for our special pizza. Grilling adds robust flavor to the crust, veggies and garlic. Waiting for the eggplant to grow is the hardest part! —Judy Barrett, Chelsea, Alabama
Pepperoni Pizza Loaf
This savory stromboli starts with frozen bread dough, so it comes together in practically no time. The golden loaf is stuffed with cheese, pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers and olives. I often add a few slices of ham, too. It's tasty served with warm pizza sauce for dipping. —Jenny Brown, West Lafayette, Indiana
Pizza Monkey Bread
I cannot throw a party without making this recipe. It's fast and easy, and my kids love it. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California
Apple Crisp Pizza
While visiting a Wisconsin orchard, I tried a tempting apple crisp pie. At home, I put together this apple pizza. As it bakes, the enticing aroma fills my kitchen, and friends and family linger waiting for a sample. —Nancy Preussner, Delhi, Iowa
Meatball Pizza
I always keep meatballs and pizza crusts in the freezer to make this specialty on the spur of the moment. Add a tossed salad and you have a delicious dinner. —Mary Humeniuk-Smith, Perry Hall, Maryland
Baked Potato Pizza
I make this creative baked potato pizza for Super Bowl parties. The sour cream, bacon, onions and cheese make every bite taste just like a loaded baked potato. —Gina Pierson, Centralia, Missouri
Tomato-Onion Phyllo Pizza
With a delicate crust and lots of lovely tomatoes on top, this dish is a special one to serve to guests. I make it often when fresh garden tomatoes are in season. It freezes well unbaked, so I can keep one on hand to pop in the oven for a quick dinner.—Neta Cohen, Bedford, Virginia
Spinach-Pesto White Pizza
When my kids were really small, they were reluctant to eat their veggies and I had to get creative. I figured that because pesto is already green, it would be the perfect place for some spinach. The pizza was a big hit. —Janet Burbach, North Platte, Nebraska
Mini Pizza Cups
Served hot or cold, these little pizzas are wonderful. Their small size makes them ideal for an after-school snack or kid-friendly party. Plus, they’re so easy to make, little ones can help you in the kitchen! —Jane Jones, Cedar, Minnesota
Greek Pita Veggie Pizzas
Colorful, crunchy and packed with fresh veggies and flavor, these quick pizzas taste just like a Greek salad. Whole-wheat pitas were never more delicious! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Fast Philly Cheesesteak Pizza
Cheesesteaks and pizza are such favorites, I just had to combine them. We top a pizza crust with roast beef, cheese and veggies for a hand-held feast. —Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan
Makeover Fruit Pizza
The calories and fat have been trimmed from a traditional fruit pizza to create this gorgeous, refreshing treat. It will steal the show at parties and potlucks. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Dill Pickle Hamburger Pizza
My husband's favorite foods are pizza and cheeseburgers, so I combined the two in a pizza with mayo and dill pickle juice topping. People who try it start laughing because it's so good. —Angie Zimmerman, Eureka, Illinois
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Fans of spicy chicken wings will love this rendition that turns it into pizza. Serve it up with blue cheese dressing and crisp celery, just like the tasty original. —Shari DiGirolamo, Newton, Pennsylvania
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Got Thanksgiving Day leftovers? Forget ho-hum turkey sandwiches and try this unique take on pizza instead. Get creative with different variations: use whole berry or jelly cranberry sauce; add dollops of mashed potatoes on top; drizzle with turkey gravy; sprinkle with stuffing or dressing; or try unique pizza crust varieties. —Carla Parker, Anderson, South Carolina
BLT Pizza
I use a prebaked crust and fixings from the much-loved BLT sandwich to create this fun variation. It's my family's favorite pizza. —Marilyn Ruggles, Lees Summit, Missouri
French Bread Pizza
Slices of this hearty french bread pizza are guaranteed to please. I sometimes substitute spaghetti sauce for the pizza sauce, or add our favorite veggies to the toppings. —Sue McLaughlin, Onawa, Iowa
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Stephanie Harte