Description
This Viral Doner Kebab Recipe is a delicious homemade take on the popular Turkish street food. Ground beef is seasoned with aromatic spices, tomato paste, and Greek yogurt, then shaped into rolls and baked alongside peppers and tomatoes. Served with a tangy tomato sauce and wrapped in lavash bread, these kebabs bring a burst of flavor and are perfect for a flavorful meal at home.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 onion (medium-sized, peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (full-fat or no fat)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 3 tomatoes (quartered, medium sized)
- 2 green peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ¼ cup hot water
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Assembly
- 4 pieces lavash bread (or pita bread)
- ½ cup Sumac Onions (optional, for garnish and flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 °F (204 °C) to prepare for baking the kebabs and vegetables.
- Prepare Onion and Garlic: Place the onion and garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped or pureed. Transfer this mixture into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix Meat Ingredients: Add the ground beef, tomato paste, Greek yogurt, ground cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper to the bowl with the onion and garlic. Use clean hands to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Divide the Meat: Split the meat mixture evenly into three portions for shaping.
- Shape the Meat: Take one portion and place it in the center of a large sheet of parchment paper. Cover it with another sheet of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin or your hands, flatten and shape the meat into an even rectangle.
- Roll the Meat: Remove the top parchment paper. Starting from the bottom short side, carefully roll the meat along with the parchment in 2-inch increments until fully rolled. Transfer this roll onto a large sheet pan. Repeat with the other portions.
- Add Vegetables to Pan: Push the meat rolls to one side of the pan and add the quartered tomatoes and green peppers. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
- Bake: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake everything for 20 minutes, allowing the meat to cook through and the vegetables to roast.
- Unfold and Break Meat: Once baked, remove the meat rolls from the oven. Unwrap the parchment paper and tear the meat into large pieces.
- Make Tomato Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in the tomato paste and hot water, mixing until combined. Bring the sauce to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Assemble Doner Wraps: Lay one piece of lavash bread on a cutting board. Spread approximately one tablespoon of the tomato sauce over the bread. Add a handful of the torn meat pieces, roasted tomatoes, and peppers, plus some sumac onions if using.
- Roll and Serve: Drizzle more tomato sauce on top of the filling. Carefully roll the bread from the bottom, tucking in the ingredients as you proceed. Repeat this assembly for each lavash piece and the remaining meat.
- Slice and Enjoy: Using a sharp knife, cut the wrapped lavash kebabs in half. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade doner kebabs.
Notes
- Using parchment paper helps shape the meat evenly and makes transferring easier.
- Sumac onions add a tangy flavor typical in Middle Eastern cuisine but can be omitted if unavailable.
- You can substitute lavash with pita bread for a different texture and taste.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Ensure meat is cooked through by slicing an internal piece before assembly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Turkish
