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Traditional Southeastern Turkish dish, baked minced meat with vegetables and spices
In season: Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
CALORIES
GI
POTASSIUM
FIBER
1 piece (medium) of Arap tava (180 g) has 288 calories. That works out to 160 calories per 100 g. It contains 13 g of carbs, 18.9 g of protein, 17.1 g of fat and 3.8 g of fiber. Its 1.3 µg of B12 covers 53% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 35 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Arap tava is a southeastern Turkish oven-baked dish of minced meat mixed with finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, onions and spices. The vegetables soften and release their juices as the meat browns, so the finished tray is moist and savoury, with more caramelised patches around the edges. The seasoning and choice of peppers vary from one household to another.
In its Turkish home, it is usually served hot for a family meal, often with flatbread, salad and ayran; diners can scoop up the tender mixture with bread. The mince makes it a protein-containing main, while the vegetables add some fibre. Its richness depends largely on the fat in the mince and any added oil. For a lighter plate, use leaner mince, go easy on the oil and serve it with extra salad.
Selected: 100 g
160
KCAL / 100G
Carbs
7.2g
· 3% DV
Protein
10.5g
· 21% DV
Fat
9.5g
· 12% DV
Fiber
2.1g
· 8% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 18% · Protein 27% · Fat 55%
Vitamins
B12
0.7µg · 29% DV
B3
2.1mg · 13% DV
Vitamin A
110µg · 12% DV
B5
0.6mg · 12% DV
Minerals
Sodium
320mg · 14% DV
Phosphorus
95mg · 14% DV
Selenium
7µg · 13% DV
Zinc
1mg · 9% DV
High
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 160 calories in 100 g:
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
— Not suitable
Vegetarian
— Not suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
✓ Suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
3.1g
MONOUNSATURATED
3.6g
POLYUNSATURATED
1.2g
Omega 6:3 ratio 2.6:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
Arap tava is a Turkish oven-baked dish made with minced meat, tomatoes, peppers, onions and seasoning. The ingredients are spread together in a shallow tray and baked, leaving a moist, hearty mixture rather than separate pieces of meat.
To make Arap tava, combine minced meat with chopped tomatoes, peppers, onion and seasoning, then spread the mixture in a baking tray. Bake until the meat is fully cooked and the top is browned; avoid overbaking, which can dry it out.
Arap tava typically contains minced meat, tomatoes, red or green peppers, onions and spices. Some home versions add garlic or adjust the pepper and seasoning, but the defining feature is baking the meat and vegetables together in one tray.
No, Arap tava and Kilis tava are related regional tray dishes, but they are not always prepared the same way. Arap tava is commonly mixed with chopped vegetables, while Kilis tava is often formed as a flatter, more compact layer of seasoned meat.
Beef, lamb or a mixture of the two can be used for Arap tava. Mince with some fat tends to stay juicier during baking, while very lean mince can turn dry unless the vegetables are plentiful and the tray is not overcooked.
Arap tava can release liquid because tomatoes and peppers give off moisture as they bake. Chop the vegetables less finely and avoid crowding the tray so the liquid can evaporate; a little juice in the finished dish is normal.
Serve Arap tava with rice, bulgur, flatbread or a simple salad. Plain yogurt or cacık is also a good match, especially when the dish is generously seasoned, because its cool, mild taste balances the savory meat.
Yes, you can mix the uncooked Arap tava ingredients and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. For the best texture, bake it soon after preparation rather than leaving the chopped vegetables mixed with the meat for an extended period.
Refrigerate leftover Arap tava in a covered container once it has cooled, and eat it within a few days. Reheat only the portion you plan to serve, making sure it is hot all the way through.
Use leaner minced meat, skip added oil and increase the proportion of vegetables to make Arap tava less rich. Serving it with salad or yogurt instead of fried sides also makes for a lighter meal without changing the dish’s basic character.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.