Homemade Doner Kebab (Viral) Recipe

Introduction

Experience the flavors of a classic street food favorite with this homemade doner kebab recipe. Juicy, spiced ground lamb is baked to perfection and served with fresh veggies and garlic sauce. It’s a delicious and easy way to bring a taste of the Middle East to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 450 grams ground lamb (or any ground meat)
• 1 grated onion (food processed into a paste with 1 teaspoon water)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine the ground meat with grated onion paste, minced garlic, salt, sweet paprika, oregano, yogurt, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
3. Step 3: Divide the meat mixture into two equal portions.
4. Step 4: Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface and place one portion of the meat mixture in the center.
5. Step 5: Keep a small bowl of water or oil nearby to dip your fingers to prevent sticking. Press and spread the meat into a thin, even rectangle on the parchment. Repeat with the second portion on another parchment sheet.
6. Step 6: Starting from the long side, fold the parchment over the meat repeatedly to create a flat rope shape. Place the wrapped meat rolls on a baking sheet.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, until the meat is cooked through.
8. Step 8: Remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly. Carefully unroll the parchment and break the meat apart.
9. Step 9: Squeeze a little fresh lemon juice over the meat, then return it to the oven to bake until lightly golden and slightly crispy.
10. Step 10: Serve your doner kebab in pita bread or a bowl topped with lettuce, pickles, tomato, red onion, and garlic sauce for the full experience.

Tips & Variations

• You can use store-bought garlic sauce or toum, or make your own by mixing yogurt with salt, garlic, and mayonnaise for a creamy twist.
• Feel free to substitute ground lamb with beef, chicken, or turkey depending on your preference.
• Dipping your hands in water or oil while shaping the meat helps avoid sticking and makes spreading easier.

Storage

Store leftover doner meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or a skillet to retain crispiness. You can also freeze the cooked meat rolls for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use ground beef instead of lamb?

Yes, ground beef works well as a substitute. It will slightly change the flavor but still deliver a delicious doner kebab experience.

How do I make garlic sauce from scratch?

A simple garlic sauce can be made by mixing yogurt with minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and mayonnaise to taste. Adjust garlic intensity based on your preference for a creamy, flavorful sauce.

Homemade Doner Kebab (Viral) Recipe

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4.9 from 102 reviews

This Homemade Doner Kebab recipe brings the classic Turkish street food experience right into your kitchen. Ground lamb is seasoned with aromatic spices, yogurt, and garlic, then shaped and baked to juicy perfection. The doner is sliced thin and finished with a crisp in the oven, making it perfect to serve in pita bread or bowls with fresh vegetables and garlic sauce. It’s a flavorful, easy-to-make alternative to takeout with customizable toppings.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 2 kebab rolls, serves 4 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Turkish

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Mixture

• 450 grams ground lamb (or any ground meat)
• 1 grated onion (processed into a paste with 1 tsp water)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For Serving (Optional)

• Fresh lemon juice
• Pita bread or bowls
• Lettuce
• Pickles
• Tomato slices
• Red onion slices
• Garlic sauce or toum (store-bought or homemade with yogurt, garlic, salt, and mayo)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the kebab rolls.
2. Mix meat and seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the ground meat with grated onion paste, minced garlic, salt, sweet paprika, oregano, yogurt, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Divide mixture: Split the meat mixture evenly into two portions to prepare for shaping.
4. Shape meat on parchment: Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. Place one portion of the meat mixture in the center. Dip your fingers in water or oil to prevent sticking and press the meat down into a thin, even rectangle.
5. Roll the meat: Starting from the long side of the rectangle, fold the parchment paper over the meat repeatedly, rolling it tightly into a flat rope shape. Repeat for the second portion.
6. Bake the rolls: Place the rolled meat packets on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through.
7. Cool and unroll: Remove the rolls from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Carefully unroll the parchment and break the meat apart into thin slices or shreds.
8. Add lemon and crisp: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the shredded meat, then spread it out on the baking sheet and return to the oven until the edges are lightly golden and slightly crisp.
9. Serve: Serve the doner kebab in warm pita bread or bowls topped with lettuce, pickles, tomato, red onion, and your choice of garlic sauce or toum for a delicious meal.
10. Garlic sauce tip: Use store-bought garlic sauce or toum, or mix yogurt with salt, garlic, and mayo to make your own flavorful garlic sauce.

Notes

• Use a small bowl of water or oil to keep your hands from sticking when shaping the meat.
• The yogurt in the mix helps tenderize the meat and adds moisture.
• For an alternative to lamb, you can use ground beef or chicken.
• Leftover doner can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.
• To add extra flavor, marinate the meat mixture in the fridge for a few hours before baking.

Keywords: Doner Kebab, Homemade Kebab, Turkish Street Food, Ground Lamb Recipe, Middle Eastern Recipe, Baked Kebab