Yogurtlu Kebabs

No ratings yet

Yogurtlu Kebabs is a popular dish in Greece and Turkey! There are different variations of it, but this is the version we fell in love with! The ingredient list may seem long, but it’s mostly spices. This is a very easy meal to make; family-friendly and so fun and unique.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Refrigerate30

Total Time1 5

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Turkish

Servings: servings

Calories: 632kcal

Author: Lauren Allen

Cost: 19

Recipe Link

Equipment

Grill Pan , or grill
Mixing bowl
Meat Chopper , optional to mix the ground meat mixture

Ingredients

Kebab:

2 lb ground beef (80/20) , or use ½ ground lamb!
2 Tablespoons dry minced onion
¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 Tablespoon sumac* (or zest of one lemon + pinch salt)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons breadcrumbs
1 large egg , beaten

Greek Tomato Sauce: (makes about 1 cup)

4 large , ripe roma tomatoes (1 ¼ cup grated pulp)
1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons butter
5 cloves garlic , minced
¼ cup tomato sauce
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 sprigs fresh oregano
Pinch salt and pepper , to taste
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Yogurt sauce:

1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt
2 cloves garlic , minced
sea salt , to taste
Juice from ½ of a lemon
Drizzle of milk , for a thinner sauce consistency

Instructions

Kebab Mixture: Add meat to a large mixing bowl. Add spices breadcrumbs and egg on top, then mix until combined (don’t overwork the meat). Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2 lb ground beef (80/20), 2 Tablespoons dry minced onion, ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 Tablespoon sumac* (or zest of one lemon + pinch salt), 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 2 Tablespoons breadcrumbs, 1 large egg
Grate Tomato: Cut tomatoes in half and use the large holes of the box grater to grate the inside tomato flesh into a bowl (stop grating when you’re only left with the outer skin of tomato).
4 large
Tomato Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat add olive oil and butter. Once melted add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add grated tomato and cook for 3 minutes. Add tomato sauce and cook for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low and add the spices. Stir and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
1/2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tablespoons butter, 5 cloves garlic, ¼ cup tomato sauce, 2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 sprigs fresh oregano, Pinch salt and pepper, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Yogurt Sauce: Mix all of the yogurt sauce ingredients together.
1 ½ cups plain Greek yogurt, 2 cloves garlic, sea salt, Juice from ½ of a lemon, Drizzle of milk
Shape Kebabs: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide meat mixture into 15 portions (about 67g each) and form each into a sausage shape, around 4 inches long. Transfer to baking sheet.
Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan on the stove to medium heat. Grease the pan well with oil, then add kebabs and cook, rotating every few minutes, just until cooked through.
Serve: Place a a little handful of onions at the bottom of each serving dish. Top with 3 kebabs. Add a generous amount of yogurt sauce on top, then a big spoonful of tomato sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with a warm pita on the side.

Video

Notes

Yield: Makes about 15 kebabs.

Serving Size: 3 kebabs, 5 Tablespoons yogurt sauce and 3 Tablespoons tomato sauce.

Serve With:

Yellow Rice, or couscous
Warm pita (a must for scooping)
Simple cucumber salad
Extra parsley and lemon wedges for the table

Nutrition