How to Make the Perfect Iskender Kebab
Turkish · Medium · 50 min · 4 servings
Iskender kebab is a classic Turkish dish featuring thinly sliced doner meat layered over torn pide bread and drenched in rich tomato sauce and sizzling browned butter. It is finished with a dollop of cool yogurt to balance the bold, savory flavors.
Why this recipe works
This Iskender Kebab recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 50 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 620 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 600 g thinly sliced lamb or beef doner meat
- 4 pieces pide bread torn into chunks
- 200 g plain full-fat yogurt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 400 g canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Tomato Sauce
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened into a rich sauce.
Step 2: Toast the Pide Bread
Arrange torn pide bread chunks in a single layer on a baking tray and toast in a 180C oven for 8 minutes until lightly crisped on the edges but still soft inside.
Step 3: Cook the Meat
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add the sliced doner meat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until nicely browned and heated through.
Step 4: Assemble and Finish
Place toasted pide on serving plates, layer with meat, spoon tomato sauce over the top, add a generous dollop of yogurt on the side, then melt butter in a small pan until golden brown and pour it sizzling directly over the dish.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- lamb doner meat → thinly sliced rotisserie chicken
- pide bread → sourdough or flatbread torn into pieces
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Pouring cold butter instead of properly browned sizzling butter over the dish
- Skipping the yogurt which is essential to balance the richness
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 620 calories, 38g protein, 34g carbs, 36g fat, 3g fiber.
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