Easy Turkish Adana Kebab Recipe (Ground Lamb Kebab)
Renowned for its robust flavors and succulent meat, this Adana Kebab recipe is a must-try for any food enthusiast.
Equipment
- Wooden or medal skewers
Ingredients
For the Kebabs
- 400 grams ground Lamb (1 pound)
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp ground sumac
- 1-2 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt kosher or sea salt
For the Turkish yogurt
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 2 mini cucumbers grated and water squeezed out
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp dried ground mint
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
For the wrap
- 4-5 pita no pocket
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced tomatoes
- 1 cup thinly chopped lettuce (I used romaine)
Instructions
For the Kebabs
- Combine the ground lamb, cumin, sumac, red pepper flakes, and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. This step is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors in your kebabs.
- Rest and Marinate Cover the meat mixture and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more delicious and tender kebab.
- Shape the Kebabs. Wet your hand to prevent the mixture sticking to your skin. Take a small portion at a time and shape it onto a long, flat skewer. Press the meat firmly onto the skewer, creating a long, cylindrical shape. Repeat this process for the remaining portions.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side. The kebabs should be cooked to medium, juicy and slightly charred on the outside.
For the Turkish yogurt
- Grate the cucumbers and squeeze out the excess water with your hands or using a kitchen towel or cheese cloth.
- Mix the cucumber and yogurt together and add garlic, olive oil, salt and dried mint. Taste and add more salt if needed. Set aside
For the Pita
- Warm the pita bread on the grill or in the oven.
- Spread a generous amount of tangy Turkish yogurt onto the pita bread. Turkish yogurt is similar to Tzatziki but is made with mint instead of dill. Feel free to sub Turkish yogurt for tzatziki.
- Slide the grilled kebab off the skewer and place it on top of the Turkish yogurt. The aromatic flavors and tender texture of the kebab will take center stage.
- Top with a layer of crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions. For added flavor, sprinkle more sumac on the red onions!
- Top with more Turkish yogurt and serve!