Adana Kebab Recipe

Recently, a section scholar challenged maine to stock really to make this iconic kebab astatine home. Having grown up successful Turkiye and pinch a bully friend who owns a kebab edifice successful Adana (and serves thing else!), I felt uniquely qualified to return connected nan challenge.

In this post, I will locomotion you done each facet of creating these juicy, flavorful skewers pinch confidence. I’ll stock really to take nan correct meat, nan true authentic seasonings, basal shaping techniques, and foolproof grilling tips I’ve picked up done my ain look testing.

What Is Adana Kebab?

At its essence, Adana Kebab (or arsenic we telephone it, Adana Kebap) is Turkey’s astir iconic grilled lamb skewer. Hailing from nan metropolis of Adana, this accepted look is made pinch conscionable a fistful of halfway ingredients: finely crushed lamb, tail fat, a circumstantial Turkish reddish capsicum called kapya, fiery Urfa chili flakes (or Aleppo pepper), salt, and achromatic pepper.

Although galore online versions see aromatics and spices for illustration onion, garlic, aliases cumin, nan authentic look adheres to those 5 basics.

The accepted method besides calls for hand-mincing nan nutrient pinch a typical curved weapon called a zırh (affiliate link), threading it onto wide metallic skewers, past grilling it complete charcoal for a profoundly smoky, rich | result.

The True Secret of Adana Kebab: Ingredients and Their Role

When it comes to nan constituent database for this Turkish classic, nan astir important point to retrieve is that less is more.

Sure, you tin adhd onion, garlic, aliases spices for illustration cumin and coriander. But my proposal is to first maestro nan basics of nan authentic recipe, and past tweak it to your ain preferences from there.

You tin find nan afloat database of ingredients successful the look paper below, but present is simply a much elaborate breakdown of what you will need.

The Meat: Lamb, Beef, aliases Both?

That said, moreover though I conscionable made a lawsuit for sticking to tradition, I’ll beryllium nan first to crook nan rules a bit, starting pinch nan astir important portion of nan recipe: nan meat.

The authentic type is made by chopping lamb (typically from nan shoulder) and tail fat pinch a curved weapon called a zırh (in nan US, it is referred to arsenic a cleaver knife).

The extremity pinch utilizing a instrumentality for illustration zırh is to chop nan nutrient and fat together, backmost and forth, truthful that it (almost) forms a paste. In a way, you’re grinding nan nutrient yourself, by hand, until nan fat and musculus hindrance naturally.

Now, arsenic overmuch arsenic I emotion nan thought of sticking to nan original, moreover arsenic personification who cooks for a living, I don’t ain a zırh.

And arsenic for tail fat? Let’s conscionable opportunity it’s not precisely easy to find.

So, successful nan tone of making this Turkish skewers look doable for location cooks (dare I opportunity it, moreover connected a weeknight), I usage crushed lamb instead. I cognize it’s not rather nan same, but I genuinely judge it’s nan adjacent champion thing.

Now, you mightiness beryllium wondering: tin you usage crushed beef instead, aliases a operation of both? The reply is yes and yes. But there’s 1 very important item to support successful mind: fat content.

What makes Adana Kebab truthful iconic, and truthful delicious, is nan fat. Fat doesn’t conscionable adhd richness. It besides helps nan nutrient clasp together and cling to nan skewer arsenic it cooks. It’s nan concealed to that signature juicy texture and nan logic these kebabs don’t barren retired aliases autumn isolated connected nan grill.

Since crushed lamb people has much fat than beef, you’ll request to make adjustments if you’re utilizing beef. Look for a fatty grind, ideally a 60/40 ratio if possible. 

If you’re buying from a butcher, inquire for crushed chuck pinch other fat, aliases spot if they tin adhd successful immoderate beef fat trimmings for you.

Signature Seasonings of Adana: Red Pepper, Urfa Chili, and Salt

There’s a communal belief that astir kebab recipes trust heavy connected aromatics for illustration bulb and garlic, on pinch spices specified arsenic crushed cumin, coriander, and paprika.

Red Pepper

While that mightiness beryllium existent for galore types of kebab, this crushed lamb skewer look challenges that idea. Instead of layering successful tons of spices, it highlights 1 very circumstantial ingredient: a reddish capsicum called kapya. Native to Turkey, kapya peppers are known for their saccharine and steaming spirit and adhd a unique extent to nan original recipe.

I would person loved to usage Kapya here, but since it’s not wide disposable successful nan US, I went pinch nan adjacent champion point I could find: red Fresno peppers.

If you can’t get your hands connected those, a reddish doorbell capsicum will besides work.

Urfa Chili Flakes (Pul Biber)

The adjacent signature constituent is Urfa chili pepper (affiliate link), besides known arsenic Aleppo-style reddish capsicum flakes. Urfa chili has a deep, earthy power that’s mild yet complex, and it complements nan richness of nan lamb beautifully.

If you tin find it, it is perfectly worthy using. That said, you tin usage immoderate reddish capsicum flakes you person connected hand. And, of course, consciousness free to set nan power level to suit your preferences.

Paprika

To thief information retired nan spirit of nan reddish pepper, particularly erstwhile utilizing substitutes for illustration Fresno aliases doorbell pepper, I for illustration to adhd a small other extent pinch paprika. I usage 2 teaspoons of my favourite benignant to thief bring successful immoderate of nan sweetness and smokiness that kapya people offers.

This is besides a awesome spot to put your ain rotation connected nan recipe. Use saccharine paprika, steaming paprika, aliases a operation of both, depending connected what you for illustration and person connected hand.

Salt & Pepper

Finally, we person brackish and achromatic pepper.

And I’ll opportunity this upfront. The magnitude of brackish mightiness astonishment you. The look calls for 1 tablespoonful of kosher brackish for 2 pounds of crushed lamb. It whitethorn sound for illustration a lot, but it is essential.

Salt not only enhances nan taste, but it besides helps nan nutrient hindrance and clasp its style connected nan skewer.

Of course, not each salts are created equal. I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt (affiliate link), which is lighter and little salty by measurement than galore different brands. If you are utilizing thing for illustration Morton’s kosher salt, I urge starting pinch half nan magnitude and adjusting to taste.

I besides adhd a touch of achromatic capsicum to information retired nan elemental seasoning.

How to Make Adana Kebab astatine Home

Once you person your ingredients prepped and your skewers ready, nan remainder comes down to technique. It’s not difficult, conscionable a fewer cardinal steps to travel for nan champion results. Here’s really I break it down:

Preparing your kebab mixture:

Step 1 – Chop and Drain nan Red Peppers

Start by removing nan seeds and chopping nan reddish peppers arsenic finely arsenic you can. This helps them blend seamlessly into nan nutrient mixture, alternatively than showing up arsenic visible chunks.

After chopping, spot nan peppers successful a good mesh strainer and property mildly to merchandise their juices. This measurement is basal arsenic we want to region arsenic overmuch liquid arsenic imaginable truthful nan substance doesn’t go excessively bedewed aliases soggy erstwhile it’s clip to shape.

Step 2 – Prepare nan Meat Mixture

In a ample mixing bowl, harvester nan drained chopped peppers, crushed lamb, paprika, reddish capsicum flakes, salt, and achromatic pepper. Using cleanable hands, operation everything together until afloat mixed and evenly seasoned.

Once it’s mixed, disagreement nan nutrient into adjacent portions based connected really galore skewers you scheme to use. My group came pinch 3 skewers, truthful I divided nan substance into 3 moreover parts. You tin eyeball it or, if you for illustration precision, measurement nan portions utilizing a room scale.

If you want to make it ahead, conscionable screen nan vessel and spot it successful nan fridge. In fact, if you tin scheme ahead, I highly urge it. Giving nan substance a chance to remainder helps nan flavors travel together and settee into nan meat. An overnight remainder (up to 24 hours) tin really make a difference.

Shaping your Adana Kebabs

Step 3 – Thread Onto nan Skewers

When you’re fresh to thread nan meat, commencement by mounting up your workstation. Grab your skewers, a mini vessel of h2o to bedewed your hands, and bring retired nan nutrient substance from nan fridge.

To thread, return 1 information of nan crushed lamb mixture, style it into a ball, and mildly insert nan skewer done nan center. Using your hands, property and dispersed nan nutrient down nan magnitude of nan skewer, turning it arsenic you spell to create an moreover shape.

If aliases erstwhile nan substance starts to consciousness sticky, lightly bedewed your hands to forestall nan nutrient from sticking excessively much. Just beryllium observant not to overdo it. A small h2o goes a agelong way, and excessively overmuch tin make nan substance excessively soft to clasp together.

As you work, do your champion to support nan thickness moreover from apical to bottom. Once you’ve shaped nan kebab, return a infinitesimal to mildly property and seal nan apical and bottommost ends of nan nutrient onto nan skewer.

Step 4 – Create nan signature ridges

If you’ve had Adana Kebab before, you’ve astir apt noticed nan shape of shallow ridges pressed into nan surface. They’re not conscionable for appearance. These indentations thief nan nutrient navigator much evenly complete precocious power and springiness nan kebab its signature look.

To make them, usage your thumb and forefinger to mildly property on nan magnitude of nan meat, making shallow marks each mates of inches. Rotate nan skewer and repetition nan aforesaid mobility connected nan different side.

Grilling Your Kebabs

Step 5 – Grill

The accepted measurement to navigator Adana Kebab is complete a charcoal grill, which gives it that chopped steaming sensation and somewhat crisp exterior. That said, I utilized my state grill for this type to support it elemental and approachable for location cooks. Both methods activity well, and beneath you’ll find tips for each.

If utilizing a state grill: Preheat your grill to 400°F to 425°F. Clean nan grill grates thoroughly and brushwood them pinch lipid to forestall sticking.

Carefully spot nan Adana kebab skewers connected nan grates and grill, turning them often to guarantee moreover cooking and a bully char connected each sides.

Depending connected nan thickness and magnitude of your kebabs, this will return astir 10 to 12 minutes.

Because nan nutrient is rich | successful fat, you whitethorn spot flare-ups arsenic it cooks. That’s wholly normal, but it’s important to enactment adjacent to nan grill while they’re cooking. 

Adjust nan power arsenic needed and proceed rotating nan skewers to debar burning and thief them navigator evenly.

If utilizing a charcoal grill: Light your charcoal and fto nan coals pain until they’re covered pinch a bladed furniture of achromatic ash.

Spread them retired evenly and position nan skewers straight complete nan heat. Grill nan kebabs, turning them each mates of minutes to guarantee moreover cooking and that nice, steaming char.

The full clip will beryllium similar, astir 10 to 12 minutes, again depending connected nan power level and nan size of your skewers.

Similar to cooking it connected a state grill, support a adjacent oculus during grilling, particularly if you announcement flare-ups. The extremity is juicy, charred kebabs that enactment intact from grill to plate.

Step 6 – Let It Rest While Making Sumac Onions

Once nan kebabs are grilled, transportation them to a expanse cookware and screen loosely pinch foil. Let them remainder for astir 5 to 10 minutes truthful nan juices person clip to settee backmost into nan meat.

While nan kebabs are resting, you tin hole 1 of nan classical accompaniments to Adana Kebab: sumac onions, a accepted bulb crockery that beautifully balances nan richness of nan meat.

They’re easy to make, but if you’d for illustration a much elaborate breakdown, consciousness free to cheque retired my Sumac Onions recipe.

To make a speedy batch, harvester sliced reddish onion, oliva oil, citrus juice, kosher salt, sumac, and a pinch of reddish capsicum flakes successful a mean bowl. Using cleanable hands, mildly massage nan onions until they person softened slightly. Finish pinch a sprinkle of chopped parsley.

Assembling and Serving

Step 7 – Assemble:

With nan nutrient grilled and your sumac onions ready, each that’s near is nan bread. Traditionally, Adana Kebab is served pinch lavash, a soft Mediterranean-style flatbread.

It’s akin to pita bread, and you tin usually find it successful astir supermarkets. Of course, if you’d for illustration to effort making your own, I besides person a homemade lavash recipe disposable for you to follow.

To assemble, spot a portion of lavash level connected a sheet and usage it to descent nan nutrient disconnected nan skewer. Since my skewers are rather large, I for illustration to trim nan kebab successful half while it’s still connected nan skewer, past descent each half disconnected gently. The nutrient should merchandise easily.

From there, simply apical it pinch a generous spoonful of sumac onions, a fewer slices of tomatoes, and a sprinkle of caller parsley earlier rolling it up.

Needless to say, it is champion to bask your Adana wrap while it’s still warm.

How to Serve Adana Kebab: Authentic Turkish Pairings for a Complete Meal

So you made your Adana Kebab, garnished it pinch sumac onions, and wrapped it successful lukewarm lavash. Good for you! But what if you want to return it up a notch?

Below are a fewer accepted pairing ideas successful lawsuit you’d for illustration to service it nan measurement we do successful Türkiye:

Pair it pinch a classical Turkish salad: Turn your kebab into a afloat feast by serving it alongside a caller crockery for illustration nan classical pairing, Turkish Ezme. Alternatively, you tin spell pinch a accepted Shepherd’s Salad (Çoban Salatası), a achromatic legume crockery for illustration Piyaz, aliases moreover my Greek Cucumber Salad for a cooling contrast.

Add grilled vegetables: If you person a small other time, grill immoderate tomatoes aliases greenish peppers connected nan broadside while your kebabs are cooking. These elemental vegetables adhd a beautiful charred spirit and are often served correct connected apical of nan kebab successful restaurants crossed Türkiye.

Serve pinch atom aliases bulgur pilaf: For a much important meal, brace your kebab pinch a starch. My Vermicelli Rice aliases Bulgur Pilaf are some authentic and satisfying options that information retired nan sheet perfectly.

Drizzle it pinch yogurt sauce: While not traditional, a spoonful of tzatziki sauce aliases my yogurt mint sauce tin beryllium a bully addition, particularly if you’re serving this to kids aliases anyone who prefers a milder dish. The creamy yogurt helps equilibrium nan spices and adds a cooling opposition to nan richness of nan meat.

Don’t hide nan ayran: In Türkiye, if you bid Adana Kebab astatine a restaurant, chances are your server will bring retired a solid of ayran without moreover asking. This cool, tangy yogurt portion helps equilibrium nan spices successful nan kebab and brings everything together. The bully news is you tin make ayran astatine location successful conscionable a fewer minutes.

Storing, Reheating and Freezing Instructions:

While freshly grilled Adana Kebab is ever best, leftovers tin beryllium stored, frozen, and reheated pinch bully results. Here’s really I grip it:

Storage: Let nan kebab cool to room temperature, past spot it successful an airtight container. Store it successful nan fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Wrap nan leftover nutrient tightly successful parchment paper, past wrap again pinch aluminum foil to support everything successful place. Transfer to nan freezer and shop for up to 1 month. When fresh to use, thaw overnight successful nan fridge.

Reheating: Reheat successful a debased oven group to 300°F (150°C) for astir 10 to 15 minutes, aliases until warmed through. Cover loosely pinch foil to forestall it from drying out.

Can You Make Adana Kebab Without a Grill? (Oven & Stovetop Alternatives)

While galore online sources propose you tin easy navigator Adana Kebab successful nan oven aliases connected nan stovetop, nan truth is, nan very principle of existent Adana Kebab comes from cooking it complete an unfastened flame.

To beryllium perfectly honest, that signature steaming spirit and crisp exterior are incredibly difficult to replicate without a grill.

However, I understand not everyone has a grill, and /or upwind conditions whitethorn not cooperate to grill kebabs connected nan outside.

In that case, you tin accommodate this recipe, but it’s important to cognize you’ll apt beryllium missing retired of nan signature smokey flavors. These alternatives are champion thought of arsenic Adana-style crushed lamb kebabs, not a substitute for nan existent thing.

Cooking successful nan Oven

Step 1: Line a 4th expanse cookware pinch a ligament rack. This helps nan nutrient navigator evenly and allows aerial to move underneath. Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).

Step 2: Spread nan nutrient substance onto nan rack successful an moreover layer. Using a weapon aliases spatula, disagreement it into 6 to 8 portions to mimic nan style and size of skewers.

Step 3: Bake for 20 to 23 minutes. Finish pinch 1 to 2 minutes nether nan broiler to create a spot of char connected top.

Cooking connected nan Stovetop

To beryllium wholly honest, I don’t urge trying to navigator afloat skewers connected a skillet. It’s conscionable excessively difficult to negociate nan thickness and shape. Instead, I propose turning nan nutrient substance into Adana Kofte-style meatballs, which are easier to grip and still delicious.

Step 1: Form meatballs. Use a mini cooky scoop aliases tablespoonful to information retired nan meat. Roll and mildly flatten each 1 successful nan thenar of your hand, past group them speech connected a plate.

Step 2: Heat nan pan. Add astir a tablespoonful of lipid to a cast-iron aliases heavy-bottomed skillet. Heat it until it’s shimmering and very hot-this ensures you get a bully sear alternatively than steaming nan meat.

Step 3: Cook successful batches. Add nan meatballs to nan skillet, being observant not to overcrowd nan pan. Cook them connected each sides until nicely browned and cooked through, moving successful batches and adding much lipid if needed.

FAQs

Other Authentic Turkish Recipes You Might Like:

If you’ve landed connected this page, I fishy you’re a instrumentality of Turkish food and possibly looking for moreover much foolproof, beginner-friendly recipes from my location country. Below are a fewer much classics you mightiness besides enjoy:

• If you’ve ever been to a kebab edifice and looked complete nan menu, chances are you’ve seen Turkish Red Lentil Soup connected nan list. It’s a elemental 30-minute crockery that’s conscionable arsenic beloved and acquainted arsenic Adana Kebab.
• And if you’re successful nan temper for thing cozy and quick, Turkish Pasta is different weeknight favourite that’s gone viral for a reason. It’s easy to make and loaded pinch comforting flavors.
• Treat yourself to Türkiye’s astir celebrated meal crockery pinch my Turkish Eggs (Çılbır), poached eggs nestled connected garlicky yogurt, drizzled pinch spicy butter, and fresh successful minutes. It’s genuinely a unsocial and satisfying experience!