İskender Kebab Recipe
İskender Kebab is a classic Turkish dish featuring thinly sliced lamb or beef served over warm pita bread, topped with a rich tomato sauce, creamy Greek yogurt, and melted butter. This savory kebab combines tender, spiced meat with tangy yogurt and buttery richness, creating a perfectly balanced, flavorful meal that exemplifies traditional Turkish cuisine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Marinade
- 1 lb high-quality lamb or beef, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
Base and Sauces
- 4 soft pita breads (or lavash/naan)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
- 1 cup tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Marinate the Meat: Slice the lamb or beef into thin strips. In a bowl, season the meat with salt, black pepper, cumin, and paprika. Mix well to ensure all strips are evenly coated and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes to absorb the spices.
- Cook the Meat: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated meat strips and cook them until they are browned and cooked through, approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Prepare the Tomato Sauce: In a separate saucepan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and herbs if using, then stir in the tomato sauce. Allow it to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Assemble the Base: Warm the pita breads and place them on serving plates. The warmth makes them soft and more hospitable to soaking up the sauces.
- Layer the Meat: Top the warm bread with the cooked meat strips evenly distributed.
- Add Sauces and Butter: Generously pour the thickened tomato sauce over the meat. Add dollops of creamy Greek yogurt on top. Finally, melt the butter and drizzle it over the entire dish, enhancing the richness and aroma.
Notes
- For an authentic flavor, use full-fat Greek yogurt and high-quality cuts of lamb or beef.
- The pita bread can be lightly toasted for extra texture, but it should remain soft enough to soak up the sauces.
- Customize the tomato sauce by adding herbs like oregano or thyme, and a pinch of sugar to balance acidity if desired.
- Allowing the meat to marinate longer will deepen the flavor. Ideally, marinate for a few hours or overnight.
- Butter can be substituted with ghee for a more traditional touch.
Keywords: İskender Kebab, Turkish kebab, lamb kebab, lamb and yogurt, tomato sauce kebab, traditional Turkish recipes
Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/iskender-kebab-recipe/
