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Authentic Döner Kebab Recipe Alternate Text Bursa, Turkiye

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Introduction & history

Döner kebap, often simply referred to as döner, is a popular Turkish dish made of seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat, typically lamb, but nowadays usually a mix of lamb and beef, is stacked in a cone shape and roasted slowly as it rotates on the spit. As the outer layers of the meat cook, they are sliced off and served while the inner layers continue to cook. Döner kebap is served in a variety of ways. However, the most traditional way is to serve it on a plate with rice or pide bread, tomatoes, and grilled red peppers. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find döner kebap made with chicken or served in a sandwich form with French fries and pickles. Döner kebap has gained popularity worldwide and is commonly found in many countries, often with variations to suit local tastes. In Germany, due to a large Turkish diaspora, it has become a dish in its own right, completely diverging from its Turkish roots. There, it’s typically served ... Read more

Recipe variations

Turkish Döner Kebab Sandwich

PREP 1h

COOK 15min

RESTING 24h

READY IN 1d 1h

4.6

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The following is the recipe for the Turkish version of the döner kebab sandwich. This classic dish brings together tender ground beef infused with yogurt, thyme, and a hint of spice, resulting in flavorful slices of döner kebab. Layered with crisp pickled cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy onion sumac salad, all nestled between halves of soft döner bread, this sandwich offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes. And don't forget the crispy potato fries for the perfect finishing touch. The recipe is courtesy of Refika Birgül, a food writer and television presenter with a massively popular YT channel, Refika's Kitchen

Ingredients

2 Servings

FOR DÖNER

1/2 kg (1.1 lbs) ground beef (rib)

2 tbsp yoghurt

2 tbsp milk

1 large onion, pureed

10-12 springs fresh thyme, leaves picked

1/2 tbsp red pepper flakes

1/2 tbsp salt

A pinch of black pepper

1-2 tbsp butter

FOR ONION SUMAC SALAD

1 onion, sliced into semicircles

6-8 sprigs of parsley, chopped

1 tsp ground sumac

2 tbsp olive oil

TO ASSEMBLE

2 döner breads, halved

3 pickled cucumbers, sliced

2 tomatoes, sliced

onion sumac salad

potato fries

Preparation

Step 1/9

Combine all ingredients for the döner, except onion, in a bowl. Then, strain the onion juice into the mixture and knead until it's evenly blended. Let the mixture rest in the refrigerator for a day.

Step 2/9

Shape the mixture into a roll using baking paper, then close from both ends by twisting the baking paper. Place it in the freezer to freeze (It can be stored for up to 6 months; thaw when ready to use.).

Step 3/9

When ready to cook, remove the frozen döner and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 4/9

Then, slice the döner thinly (working in batches, slicing only what is needed for each portion as maybe two portions can fit the pan at a time), ensuring each portion is cooked before thawing completely.

Step 5/9

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter. Cook the döner slices on both sides until browned, avoiding flipping until one side is cooked.

Step 6/9

Repeat with the remaining slices and butter.

Step 7/9

For the onion sumac salad, massage the onions with a pinch of salt and combine them with the remaining ingredients.

Step 8/9

Press the bread halves into the pan to absorb the buttery flavor.

Step 9/9

Assemble your Turkish döner sandwich by layering the döner, onion sumac salad, pickled cucumber, tomatoes, and fried potatoes (or serve them on the side) on a bottom bread layer, then cover with the top bread layer.

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