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Turkish Doner Kebab Recipe

Doner kebap served with sumac onions and parsley on an oval plate.

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Learn to make delicious homemade Turkish döner kebab with our simple recipe.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 kilo/2lb ground beef (15% fat)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon isot pepper (or paprika)
  • 4 tablespoons yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter to cook döner

Instructions

  1. Puree the onion in a food processor. Sieve its juice into a large mixing bowl. We just need the juice.
  2. Put the ground beef, döner kebab seasoning, salt, yogurt and milk in the same bowl. Combine them well using your hand. Give it a log shape.
  3. Transfer it on a baking paper and wrap it tightly. 
  4. Let it rest in the fridge for 2 hours. Then transfer it to the freezer and let it sit there for 8 hours or overnight. 
  5. Remove it from the freezer and let it sit on the counter for 5 minutes. Hold the döner log with a piece of baking paper and carefully make large thin slices using a sharp knife. 
  6. Heat one teaspoon butter in a non stick pan over high heat. Line sliced döner pieces in a single layer and cook both sides until nicely brown. 
  7. Cook döner in batches and never overload the pan. 

Notes

The chilling and freezing times are not included.

Once you've cooked your Turkish döner, there are several delicious ways to serve it:

  1. Döner Sandwich or Wrap: Place the cooked döner slices inside a pide bread or wrap them in a lavash to make döner dürüm. Add fresh lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and onions.

  2. Döner Plate: Serve the döner slices on a plate accompanied by Turkish pilav or bazlama bread, grilled vegetables, and a side of fresh shepherd salad, coban salatasi. This makes for a more substantial and sit-down meal.

  3. With Sides: Although not traditional, you can offer a variety of sides like cacik dipezme salataTurkish eggplant saladpiyaz salad and roasted onions. And of course, the best drink to serve with döner is ayran, Turkish yogurt drink.

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