Sivas Pehlisi – Traditional Sivas Meat Dish

The tradition of preparing meat dishes, especially on special occasions such as weddings, religious holidays, and feasts, is an important cultural feature of Sivas cuisine that has been passed down from the past to the present (Sağır, 2012). Pehli is a meat dish known and prepared not only in Sivas but also in provinces such as Tokat, Kayseri, and Amasya.

Pehli is a traditional recipe passed down from older generations; it is typically prepared by first frying large pieces of meat—cut from the ribs in the flank area—in oil, then simmering them in water. This dish is generally served over rice (Üçer, 1992).

In modern preparations, this dish—which is prepared in two stages, first by frying in oil and then by baking in the oven—is also classified under the kebab category (Özkan Önem, 2022).

The Sivas cuisine is one of the cuisines that frequently uses lamb, a characteristic feature of Turkish cuisine. In particular, the preparation of meat dishes on special occasions such as weddings, religious holidays, and feasts is a cultural tradition in Sivas cuisine that has been passed down from the past to the present (Sağır, 2012).