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Turkish Döner Kebab (Beef or Lamb) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 119 reviews

This authentic Turkish Döner Kebab recipe features seasoned ground beef or lamb formed into a log, frozen, sliced thin, and skillet-cooked to juicy perfection. Paired with a refreshing onion sumac salad, tangy white cucumber sauce, and served in warm pita or flatbread, it offers a flavorful and satisfying meal inspired by traditional Istanbul street food.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Mixture

  • 1 large yellow onion (pureed)
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 (or ground lamb)
  • 2 tablespoons yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp thyme leaves
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 onion (thinly sliced into semicircles)
  • 8 sprigs of parsley (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon ground sumac
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

White Cucumber Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons yogurt or labneh
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 small Persian cucumber (shredded, drained)
  • 3–4 sprigs dill (chopped)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

To Serve

  • 8 pita, pide, or lavash bread
  • Sliced pickles (optional)
  • Sliced tomatoes (optional)
  • Warm french fries (optional, as served in Istanbul)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Meat Mixture: In a bowl, combine ground beef or lamb with yogurt, milk, kosher salt, red pepper flakes, thyme leaves, cinnamon, and black pepper. Mix well to incorporate all spices and dairy evenly.
  2. Add Pureed Onion: Puree one large yellow onion in a food processor or blender until smooth. Strain the puree through a sieve, pressing to extract all juice without chunks. Add this onion juice to the meat mixture and knead thoroughly to blend all ingredients well.
  3. Shape and Freeze: Using wet hands, form the meat mixture into an 8-inch log. Wrap tightly in foil, twisting the ends to seal, then place in the freezer for 3-4 hours or until firm. This log can be frozen up to 6 months for later use.
  4. Prepare Onion Sumac Salad: Thinly slice an onion into semicircles. Toss with chopped parsley, ground sumac, and olive oil. Set aside to let flavors meld.
  5. Make White Cucumber Sauce: In a bowl, combine yogurt or labneh, mayonnaise, shredded and drained Persian cucumber, chopped dill, minced garlic, and kosher salt. Mix thoroughly and chill until serving.
  6. Slice Frozen Döner: When ready to cook, remove the frozen döner log from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Using a sharp knife, cut very thin slices, working in batches. Slice only what you will cook immediately. Return remaining frozen slices to freezer promptly without thawing.
  7. Cook Döner Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon butter. Place half of the sliced döner meat into the skillet and cook until browned on one side without flipping prematurely. Flip and cook the other side until browned and cooked through. Repeat with remaining slices and butter.
  8. Assemble and Serve: Warm the pita, pide, or lavash bread. Spread generously with the White Cucumber Sauce. Top with the sizzling cooked döner slices, then add a spoonful of Onion Sumac Salad. Serve with optional sliced pickles, tomatoes, and warm french fries for an authentic Istanbul street food experience.

Notes

  • Using wet hands to form the meat log helps prevent sticking.
  • Straining the pureed onion ensures no chunks in the meat mixture for a smooth texture.
  • Freezing the meat log before slicing makes cutting very thin slices easier and mimics the traditional vertical spit style.
  • Do not thaw the entire log before cooking; slice and cook in batches to maintain texture and flavor.
  • Sumac adds a tangy, lemony flavor essential to the salad, but can be omitted if unavailable.
  • You can substitute labneh with thick Greek yogurt if labneh is not available.
  • Serve immediately after cooking döner slices for best texture and taste.

Keywords: Turkish Döner Kebab, ground beef döner, lamb döner, Turkish street food, skillet döner, homemade döner kebab, meat log, pita döner sandwich

Find it online: https://heutigemahlzeiten.com/turkish-doner-kebab-beef-or-lamb-recipe/