In my “5 Countries Teach Us How to Level Up the Baked Potato” series, some baked potatoes felt light and refreshing, and others… Well, let’s just say that kumpir is definitely a comfort food! Although the phrase “comfort food” often makes Americans think of creamy or fried dishes, this filling is chock-full of salty, vinegary, and pickle-y ingredients.

This kumpir recipe comes from Ashley and Tolgahan, a married couple who live in New Jersey. Ashley is from Illinois, and Tolgahan is from Istanbul, Turkey. They were both kind enough to share their go-to recipe for kumpir, which is a common street food in Turkey. It is a staple item in their household whenever Tolgahan is feeling homesick, which I love. Food can make us revisit so many places and memories with a single bite, and I can completely understand how this dish is comforting.

Made from pickles, olives, mozzarella cheese, butter, mayo, green onions, and garlic powder, this baked potato filling is full of yummy ingredients. At the forefront are the carbs and butter, which always promise a delicious outcome! Ashley loves strong flavors, and we are getting plenty of that in this kumpir recipe. I’ve also heard about the Turkish baked potato before; from what I’ve seen online, some include hotdogs, corn, peas, and a variety of other ingredients many people wouldn’t expect to see on a baked potato!

This kumpir recipe feels like an entry-level version compared to those bedecked Turkish delicacies, and even with this more limited list of ingredients, I still needed a fork and knife to eat it! My love for salty and pickled foods transcends all so, naturally, I really enjoyed this dish. The olives were also delicious with the mayo, but the creamy factor didn’t overtake this baked potato. The sour, vinegary flavors are the stars of kumpir, and I simply loved how everything came together.

If you love potatoes and are looking for a less creamy baked potato topping, kumpir is the answer! Give this recipe a go and let me know how you like it.