Description
These Yogurtlu Kebabs feature flavorful ground beef mixed with aromatic spices, shaped into tender sausages, grilled to perfection, and served with a tangy yogurt sauce and a robust homemade tomato sauce. This Turkish-inspired dish balances smoky spices with fresh herbs and creamy yogurt, perfect for a satisfying and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Kebab Mixture
- 2 lb ground beef (80/20) or 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
Grated Tomato
- 4 large ripe roma tomatoes (1 ¼ cup grated pulp)
Tomato Sauce
- ½ Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons 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: In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef, then top with dry minced onion, chopped parsley, sumac, smoked paprika, dried oregano, ground coriander, ground cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, and the beaten egg. Mix gently until all ingredients are just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to maintain tenderness. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Grate Tomato: Cut the roma tomatoes in half and use the large holes of a box grater to grate the inside tomato flesh into a bowl, stopping once you reach the outer skin of the tomato. Set the grated tomato pulp aside for the sauce.
- Tomato Sauce: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the grated tomato pulp and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in the tomato sauce and cook for 1 additional minute. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the ground cumin, smoked paprika, fresh oregano sprigs, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer the sauce for 3 to 5 minutes to thicken and develop flavor. Remove from heat.
- Yogurt Sauce: In a bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt with minced garlic, sea salt to taste, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a small drizzle of milk to reach desired consistency. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Shape Kebabs: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the meat mixture into 15 equal portions, approximately 67 grams (2.4 ounces) each. Shape each portion into a sausage shape about 4 inches long. Place the shaped kebabs on the prepared baking sheet.
- Grill: Preheat a grill or grill pan on the stovetop to medium heat. Grease the grill or pan well with oil to prevent sticking. Add the kebabs and cook, turning every few minutes, until they are cooked through and have a nice char on all sides, approximately 10 to 12 minutes total depending on thickness.
- Serve: Arrange a small handful of onions at the base of each serving dish. Place three kebabs on top, spoon a generous amount of yogurt sauce over them, then add a big spoonful of the tomato sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with pita bread on the side for a complete meal experience.
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat to keep kebabs tender and juicy.
- Sumac adds a unique tangy flavor but can be substituted with lemon zest and a pinch of salt if unavailable.
- For a juicier texture, you can use half lamb and half beef ground meat.
- If you prefer milder flavors, adjust or omit the crushed red pepper flakes.
- The yogurt sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated to enhance the flavor.
- Serve with warm pita bread and fresh greens for a full meal.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Turkish
Keywords: Yogurtlu kebabs, Turkish kebabs, grilled kebabs, yogurt sauce, tomato sauce, ground beef kebabs, Mediterranean recipes
