This recipe replicates the famous Bursa Iskender Kebab at home by creating a “ground meat döner” texture without a vertical rotisserie. By pressing the meat mixture into paper-thin rolls and baking them at a high temperature, you achieve the characteristic texture of thin döner slices. It is served over warm pita bread, drenched in a tomato-butter sauce, and finished with sizzling brown butter. Typically, it eaten with yogurt and bulgur on the side.
The Döner Meat
- 750g ground beef (rib eye is best, but not required)
- 250g ground lamb
- 50g onion (approx. ½ onion, 5% of the meat by weight)
- 15g salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Puree the onion in a food processor. When done, it should be watery and have no chunks.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients together.
- Knead the mixture for several minutes until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the meat becomes sticky and elastic.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F with the fan on.
- Take a walnut-sized balls of the meat mixture, and place 7–8 balls between two square sheets of parchment paper.
- Flatten and combine the balls together using a rolling pin. Peel off the top sheet and trim any thick irregular edges if necessary.
- Repeat this process for all the meat.
- Roll the parchment paper still holding the meat and place the rolls onto a baking tray.
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the meat is browned and cooked through.
The Sauce
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 4 heaping tbsp tomato paste
- 2½ cups water
- 1 pinch of salt
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the tomato paste and salt before stirring for 1–2 minutes. Continue until it starts to become fragrant. Do not overcook the paste.
- Add the water and whisk together into a soupy consistency.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
Assembly & Serving
- Pita bread (cubed)
- Thick or strained yogurt
- ½ a stick of melted butter
- (Optional) roasted tomatoes, roasted peppers, pickles
- Warm the pita bread cubes slightly (in the oven or a pan).
- Spread the pita on a serving plate.
- Cut the roasted döner meat into irregular strips or bite-sized pieces and pile them generously over the bread.
- Pour the hot tomato sauce and yogurt over the meat and bread.
- Garnish with the tomatoes, peppers, and pickles.
- Finally, pour the hot melted butter over the entire dish immediately before serving.