Description
This Homemade Doner Kebab recipe recreates the iconic Turkish street food at home, featuring a flavorful blend of ground meat and spices shaped into a meat roll, baked to perfection, then sliced thin for that authentic kebab texture. Served in warm pita bread with fresh vegetables and your choice of sauces, it’s a delicious and viral recipe that brings the doner experience straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 2.2 lb Ground beef or lamb (or a mix)
- 1 Onion, grated
- 3 Garlic cloves, grated
- 1/4 cup Plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- 1 tablespoon Sweet paprika
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste (or BBQ sauce)
To Serve
- Warm pita bread (or a large tortilla)
- Shredded lettuce or cabbage
- Red onion, sliced
- Pickles
- Tahini sauce (optional)
- Tzatziki sauce (optional)
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef or lamb with grated onion, garlic, plain yogurt, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sweet paprika, cumin, oregano, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly with your hands until the mixture becomes sticky and cohesive, which is essential for achieving the proper doner texture.
- Form the meat sheet: Divide the meat mixture into 5 equal parts. Place a large piece of parchment paper on your work surface, put one portion of the meat on top, then cover with another piece of parchment. Using a rolling pin, carefully spread the meat into a very thin, even rectangle, ensuring consistent thickness and removing any air pockets.
- Roll it up: Remove the top parchment sheet, and starting from the long side, use the bottom parchment to roll the meat sheet into a firm, compact log similar to a Swiss roll. Twist the ends of the parchment paper tightly to secure the shape.
- Bake the meat roll: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Place the wrapped meat roll on a baking tray and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
- Slice and shred: Allow the meat roll to rest for 5 minutes after baking. Then, slice it thinly and use two forks to slightly shred the meat to mimic the authentic doner kebab texture.
- Assemble the kebab: Warm your pita bread or tortillas, then stuff them with the sliced meat. Top with shredded lettuce or cabbage, sliced red onion, pickles, and your choice of sauces such as tahini or tzatziki. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use a mix of ground beef and lamb for richer flavor and juicier texture.
- Grating the onion and garlic finely helps distribute the flavors evenly throughout the meat.
- If you prefer a spicier doner, add cayenne pepper to the meat mixture.
- Ensure the meat is spread very thinly and rolled tightly to cook evenly and achieve the correct texture.
- Resting the meat after baking helps retain juices and makes slicing easier.
- Serve with fresh vegetables and sauces to balance out the rich, savory meat.
- This recipe can be made ahead and the meat rolls frozen prior to baking for convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
