Name: Iskender Kebab
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: Turkish Food
Ingredients: Minced meat: 500g; Greek yogurt: 1; Crushed garlic cloves: 2; Spices for Kebab: 3 tbsp; Onion: 1; Pita bread: 2 à 3; Butter; Tomato paste; Greek yogurt; Salt; Pepper

Cuisine:

Turkish Food

1h
Serves 6
Easy

Ingredients

<
For the meat
500g
Minced meat
1
Greek yogurt
2
Crushed garlic cloves
3 tbsp
Spices for Kebab
<
For the preparation of Iskender Kebab
1
Onion
2 à 3
Pita bread
Butter
Tomato paste
Greek yogurt
Salt
Pepper

Directions

Votes: 1

Hello, dear world cuisine lovers! Today, I take you on a journey through the bustling streets of Turkey to discover a culinary treasure whose name resonates softly in the ears of all those who have had the chance to taste it: the Iskender Kebab.

Table of Contents

What is Iskender Kebab?

Iskender Kebab, a name that may seem mysterious at first, is actually one of the most popular and beloved dishes in Turkish cuisine. This mouth-watering dish consists mainly of thin slices of grilled lamb or beef, served on a bed of diced pita bread and generously topped with tomato sauce and melted butter. A final touch of creamy yogurt on the side makes this dish absolutely irresistible.

The origin of Iskender Kebap: A rich history

The city of Bursa, nestled at the foot of Uludağ Mountain in Turkey, is the birthplace of this delicious invention. Created by İskender Efendi in the 1860s, this dish is named in his honor.

Some historical facts:

1867: The first mention of Iskender Kebap.
Decades later: Its popularity has spread far beyond the borders of Bursa, making Iskender Kebab a staple in Turkish cuisine.

Why is this dish so special in Turkish cuisine?

Turkish cuisine is known for its rich and varied flavors, but then, what sets Iskender Kebab apart from other delicacies?

A Unique Preparation: The way the meat is cooked, vertically grilled then thinly sliced, gives this dish an incomparable texture and taste.
The Fusion of Flavours: The combination of soft pita bread, spicy tomato sauce, melted butter and fresh yogurt creates an explosion of flavors in the mouth.
Cultural Heritage: More than just a dish, Iskender Kebab is a testimony to Turkish history, its richness and its culinary diversity.

Variations of Iskender Kebab to try

Although the original Iskender Kebab recipe is sacred to many, there are several variations worth discovering:

With Chicken: For those who prefer a lighter option, chicken offers a delicious alternative to lamb or beef.
Vegetarian: Yes, you read that right! With seitan or grilled tofu, Iskender Kebap can be adapted for vegetarians. •
With grilled vegetables: For a touch of freshness, add grilled vegetables like peppers or eggplant.

Tips for enjoying your Iskender Kebab

Accompaniments: A fresh Turkish salad or pickled vegetables can be perfect additions to balance the rich flavors of Iskender. You can also serve it with Bulgur Pilavi or homemade fries!
Drinks: Ayran, a yogurt-based drink, or Raki, an aniseed alcoholic drink, are often the preferred choices to accompany this dish.
For dessert: Why not finish your meal with baklava or kadayif, to stay in pure Turkish tradition?

It’s up to you to cook your Iskender Kebab at home!

Iskender Kebap is much more than just a dish; it is a journey through time, a taste epic that reflects the richness of Turkish cuisine. If you haven’t yet had the chance to taste this dish, I warmly invite you to do so. And if you’re already a fan, why not try one of the variations mentioned above?

In any case, I hope this article has made your mouth water and brought you a little of the warmth and passion that Turkey puts into each of its dishes. Şerefe! (This is how we say “cheers” in Turkish). Don’t forget to check out our detailed Iskender Kebab recipe on this page to get started on this culinary adventure. Enjoy your food !

Steps

1 Done	Meat preparation In a salad bowl, mix all the ingredients for the preparation of the meat: minced meat, spices for kebap, Greek yogurt and crushed garlic. Mix everything well and form a sausage of meat that you will divide in 2.
2 Done	Chill the meat and let it marinate Roll your 2 sausages in cling film, tightening the edges well to pack the meat. Put your meat sausages in a freezer bag and put them in the fridge for 24 hours. You can leave the meat for less time in the fridge, but the flavors will not be as pronounced.
3 Done	Preparation of Iskender Kebap Remove the meat from the refrigerator 1 hour before preparing the dish. Cut your Pita bread into small squares and cut your still cold meat into slices as thin as possible using a sharp knife.
4 Done	Cooking meat Heat a knob of butter in a large frying pan and brown your sliced onion and slices of kebab meat until nicely toasted.
5 Done	Preparation of the sauce In a small saucepan, melt 50 grams of butter and add a jar of tomato paste. Let everything cook for about 2 minutes and add salt and pepper. Reserve.
6 Done	Dressing the Iskender Kebap In a large serving dish, put your small squares of Pita bread at the bottom of the dish. Pour the meat cooking butter over these pieces of bread. Then add the pieces of meat on top. Add some Greek yogurt to the side of the dish and add your tomato paste and butter mixture to the meat.
7 Done	Your homemade Iskender Kebap is ready! And there you have it, you have made a real homemade Turkish Iskender Kebab! Accompany your dish with Bulgur Pilavi, fresh tomatoes or simply homemade fries. You will enjoy ! Enjoy your food :)