Main Dishes

Traditional Turkish Iskender Kebab Recipe

Indulge in the flavors of Turkey with our traditional Iskender kebab recipe. This iconic dish combines tender, marinated beef with creamy yogurt sauce and rich tomato sauce, all served over warm lavash or pita bread. Follow our step-by-step instructions to create an authentic taste of Turkish cuisine in your own kitchen. Get ready to delight your taste buds and transport yourself to the streets of Turkey with every bite of this mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients:

For the Kebab:
  • 500 grams of beef (lamb can also be used)
  • 1 large onion
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
For the Yogurt Sauce:
  • 1 cup of strained yogurt
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt
For the Tomato Sauce:
  • 2 tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon of butter
  • 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
  • Salt, black pepper
For Serving:
  • 4 pieces of lavash or pita bread
  • Butter
  • Chopped parsley for garnish
  • Yogurt sauce
  • Tomato sauce
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Start by thinly slicing the beef. Grate or crush the onion and garlic. Place the beef, grated onion, and crushed garlic in a bowl. Add salt, black pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Mix well and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  2. While the meat is marinating, prepare the tomato sauce. Grate the tomatoes. Melt butter in a pan, add the grated tomatoes, and cook until the liquid evaporates. Then add the tomato paste and cook until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and black pepper.
  3. For the yogurt sauce, place the strained yogurt in a bowl. Crush or grate the garlic cloves, add them to the yogurt. Season with salt and mix well.
  4. Cook the marinated beef in a preheated pan or grill until done.
  5. Heat the lavash or pita bread in the oven. Place the cooked beef on the heated bread. Drizzle with yogurt sauce and tomato sauce. Pour melted butter over the top.
  6. Finally, garnish with chopped parsley and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Enjoy your meal!

Indulge in the flavors of Turkey with this traditional Iskender kebab recipe and experience a delicious taste of Turkish cuisine.

For more historical details, you can check out the following link: Learn more about Turkish Iskender Kebab

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