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İskender Kebap (Turkish Alexander Kebab)

Turkish · Main

A world-renowned Turkish classic from Bursa featuring succulent, thinly sliced lamb or beef served over a bed of warm pide bread, drizzled with a tangy tomato sauce and finished with a dramatic pour of sizzling melted butter.

IntermediateHigh proteinMediterranean
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İskender Kebap (Turkish Alexander Kebab) — recipe cover
45 minA little patience, a lot of flavor
Prep time20 min
Cook time25 min
Servings4 people
DifficultyIntermediate
Let's make something good

How to make it

7 steps. Take it one step at a time.

  1. Heat a small amount of butter

    Heat a small amount of butter (about 30g/1 oz) in a saucepan. Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the hot water, add salt to taste, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

    7 min
  2. Cut the pide bread

    Cut the pide bread into small 1-inch squares. Spread them on a baking tray and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-8 minutes until they are slightly toasted but still soft inside.

    8 min
  3. While bread is warming

    While bread is warming, grill or pan-sear the whole green peppers and tomato wedges until they have char marks. Set aside.

  4. In a large skillet

    In a large skillet over high heat, sear the thinly sliced meat until fully cooked and slightly browned. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    5 min
  5. To assemble, place a layer of warm pide squares

    To assemble, place a layer of warm pide squares on a large serving plate. Pour half of the hot tomato sauce over the bread. Place the seared meat over the sauce-soaked bread.

  6. Place a generous dollop of thick yogurt

    Place a generous dollop (about 100g) of thick yogurt on the side of the plate. Garnish with the grilled peppers and tomatoes.

  7. In a small pan, melt the remaining butter

    In a small pan, melt the remaining butter (approx 80-100g) until it is foaming and very hot. Pour the sizzling butter directly over the meat at the table for an authentic experience.

A little kitchen wisdom

For the most authentic flavor, use a mix of lamb and beef. Traditionally, this is made with döner meat, but thinly sliced ribeye or lamb leg works perfectly at home. Use a thick, strained yogurt (Greek style) for the side to provide the best contrast to the hot meat.

What you'll need

Large skilletSaucepanBaking traySmall butter pan
Keep the good going

For now. And for later.

Make it ahead

The tomato sauce can be made 2 days in advance and reheated. The meat is best cooked fresh.

Store & enjoy

Store leftover meat and sauce separately. Pide bread will become soggy once sauce is added, so it's best to assemble only what will be eaten immediately. Reheat meat and sauce in separate pans. Warm bread in the oven.

Allergens

Contains milk, gluten, wheat.

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An AI-created recipe from the EZdish collection. Ingredient quantities and techniques have not been independently kitchen-tested. Published on this website . Updated . First published in the EZdish collection .

İskender Kebap (Turkish Alexander Kebab)
Step 1 of 7

Heat a small amount of butter

Heat a small amount of butter (about 30g/1 oz) in a saucepan. Add the tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the hot water, add salt to taste, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.

7 min