Sizzling Delights: Exploring Turkish Kebabs

Haider Talib
3 min readJun 12, 2023

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According to cool historical records, let’s dive into the amazing origins of the mighty kebab! Picture this: soldiers in Turkey, grilling chunks of freshly hunted animals on skewers as a scrumptious meal. Yum!

Guess what? The name “kebab” popped up in a Turkish script called Kyssa-i Yusuf way back in 1377. That makes it the oldest-known mention of this mouthwatering food. Isn’t that awesome?

Now, get ready for a drool-inducing journey through the world of Turkish cuisine, famous for its lip-smacking kebabs. Brace yourself for five kebabs you absolutely have to try when you visit Turkey. Are you excited? Let’s go!

#1 Adana Kebab:

Adana Kebab

Oh, this one’s named after the city of Adana! It’s like a flavour bomb. Ground lamb gets all mixed up with fiery red pepper flakes, parsley, and juicy tomatoes. Then, it’s shaped into long, thin patties and grilled over charcoal. Don’t forget the grilled veggies and rice on the side!

#2 Iskender Kebab:

Iskender Kebab

Say hello to Mr Iskender Efendi’s creation! He made this kebab with thinly sliced lamb, slow-cooked on a spinning stick. When it’s ready, it’s laid on pide bread (kinda like Turkish pizza) and topped with a tangy tomato sauce. Trust me, it’s a match made in foodie heaven. And hey, don’t miss out on the yoghurt and grilled tomatoes!

#3 Urfa Kebab:

Time for some mini meatballs! Minced lamb is mixed with tasty spices, and then shaped into these cute little balls. They’re grilled over a hot charcoal fire until they’re perfectly cooked. Oh, and guess what? Urfa Kebab has paprika and milder spices that still pack a punch of flavour without setting your taste buds on fire. Yum!

#4 Shish Kebab:

Get ready for a classic kebab experience. Picture this: succulent cubes of marinated lamb or beef, skewered with colourful veggies like onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. They’re grilled to perfection until they’re tender and juicy. The secret? A marinade with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a pinch of secret spices. It’s simply delightful!

#5 Doner Kebab:

This is Doner Kebab

Last but definitely not least, we have the mighty Doner Kebab! Imagine layers of heavily marinated lamb or mutton stacked together on a vertical spit. They rotate slowly, soaking up the heat and getting cooked evenly. And when it’s served, it comes with delicious sauces and fluffy pita bread. It’s a flavour explosion!

Whether you’re a meat lover, veggie fan, or chicken connoisseur, Turkish kebabs have a unique flavour that’ll make your taste buds dance.

And hey, don’t forget to leave a comment below telling us which kebab you love the most. Your taste buds deserve to be heard! I’m on Instagram as thehungryinsider_official.

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Haider Talib
Haider Talib

Written by Haider Talib

A high schooler here to learn and grow with words. Follow for a cookie🍪:)

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