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Adana Kebab Recipe

Experience the fiery flavors of Turkey with this authentic Adana Kebab recipe! Named after Turkey's fourth-largest city, this kebab boasts a succulent blend of lamb and veal, marinated overnight for maximum tenderness. The secret ingredient? Zesty sumac, easily found in Middle Eastern markets or online – trust us, it makes all the difference! Prepare for a culinary journey as you grill these flavorful skewers to perfection, then tuck them into warm pita bread with creamy yogurt sauce and a vibrant red onion relish. This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Calories 655.5 kcal
Protein 74g
Rating 3.3 (3 Reviews)
Adana Kebab 106

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Adana Kebab

  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 1/2 lb ground veal
  • Olive Oil, quantity not specified in recipe
  • Salted Butter, quantity not specified in recipe
  • 1/2 cup finely minced red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely minced yellow onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons sumac (for onion mixture) and 1 teaspoon sumac (for spice blend)
  • Juice of 1 lemon (for onion mixture) and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for yogurt sauce)
  • Pita bread, for serving (as needed)
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (for spice blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (for spice blend)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin (for spice blend)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (main recipe) and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for spice blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (for spice blend), 1 teaspoon salt (main recipe), and pinch of salt (for yogurt sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons Adana kebab spice blend
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint (for yogurt sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika (for spice blend)

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How to Make Adana Kebab

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 lb ground lamb and 1/2 lb ground veal.
  2. Add 1/2 cup finely minced bell peppers (any color) and 1/2 cup finely minced onion.
  3. Stir in 2 tbsp Adana kebab spice blend (recipe below), 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
  4. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
  5. In a separate small bowl, combine 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, 2 tbsp sumac, and the juice of 1 lemon. Cover and refrigerate.
  6. Gently shape the marinated meat mixture into 6-inch long, 2-inch wide kebabs. (You should get about 6-8 kebabs).
  7. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place kebabs on the hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until cooked through and slightly spongy to the touch.
  8. While kebabs are grilling, warm pita bread.
  9. Place cooked kebabs inside warm pita bread.
  10. Top generously with yogurt sauce (recipe below) and the prepared red onion and sumac mixture.
  11. Serve immediately with a side of Turkish pilaf (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

48 g

Sugar

24g

Fat

64g

Carbs

18g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Main Dish Lamb Sheep Asian Middle Eastern Turkish Meat