Shish Kebab

Shish Kebab

Shish Kebab

Cubes of marinated lamb or chicken threaded on skewers and grilled over hot coals until charred outside and juicy within — the original Turkish kebab, now a global staple.

Cuisines

Turkish

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Recipe

Prep: 20 min Cook: 12 min Total: 32 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

300 grams lamb or beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 medium onion, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

  1. 1 In a large bowl, combine the grated onion, minced garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, ground cumin, ground paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and plain yogurt.
  2. 2 Add the lamb or beef cubes to the marinade and mix well to ensure all pieces are coated.
  3. 3 Cover the bowl and let the meat marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
  4. 4 If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  5. 5 Preheat the grill or barbecue to medium-high heat.
  6. 6 Thread the marinated meat onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
  7. 7 Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and nicely charred on the outside.
  8. 8 Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

For a more authentic flavor, you can add a pinch of sumac to the marinade.