If you’re a fan of doner kebab and Turkish flavours, this iskender kebab is a unique restaurant-style dish that’s easy to whip up at home. The dish is layered with toasted Turkish bread pieces, topped with thin slices of doner (or steak), drizzled with a rich tomato sauce, and finally topped with melted butter. It’s typically served with charred peppers and tomatoes and some tangy yogurt. The components are all easy to make and the final product is impressive!
Iskender Kebab vs. Doner Kebab
Since discovering how to make doner kebab at home using an easy freezer method, I’ve been finding different ways I can use it other than just as a wrap. I’ve served it over yellow rice and drizzled with white sauce, which was excellent. But my favourite way of serving it was using the doner kebab meat to make iskender kebab.
Being in the Toronto area with many vibrant Turkish restaurants, and having visited Istanbul several times, Iskender kebab is one of my go-to orders at restaurants. I particularly enjoy the various textures in the different layers and the fact that you just eat it as it – it has the bread, the meat, the sauce. It’s delicious!
Doner is typically served as a wrap or over rice, whereas Iskender kebab uses the same doner meat but layers it with bread, tomato sauce, and a butter drizzle.
How to Make Iskender with Steak
If you don’t want to bother making the doner kebab, you can make iskender kebab simply using thinly sliced steak. You can use beef tenderloin, or for a more economic cut, sirloin and skirt steak will work as well. Slice them thinly against the grain and marinate in grated onions, salt, pepper and chilli flakes. Then cook as directed; full details in the recipe card below.
Ingredients for This Recipe
For the meat, you need the cooked doner kebab or steak. You also need just a few ingredients for the simple tomato sauce: tomato paste, paprika, salt, pepper, butter and olive oil.
I love serving this dish with char grilled peppers and tomatoes that I grill on my cast iron, but they are also optional. Finally you need more butter for that final drizzle, along with fresh whole milk yogurt to serve.
As for the bread layer, you can use any thick style pita bread, or Turkish bread if you can find it. It’s important for the bread to be thick so it doesn’t get too soggy from the tomato sauce.
How To Make Iskender Kebab Step-by-Step
Start by making the quick tomato sauce. Melt the butter along with the olive oil. Add the tomato paste and cook it for a few seconds to develop flavour, then add all the spices and the water. Stir the sauce and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes until thick and flavourful. Set aside.
Next, cut up the bread into small squares and broil them in the oven for a few minutes so they’re toasted and dry. This step avoids them getting soggy when the sauce is spooned on top. Keep an eye on the bread as it will burn quickly.
Next, melt the butter for the final butter drizzle, and char the peppers and tomatoes on a hot cast iron skillet, just until slightly soft and they develop charred skin.
The final step is to cook the doner kebab or the steak pieces. Sear them on a hot cast iron skillet for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until caramelized and cooked through. Then, you can start layering the final dish.
Start with the bread as the base layer. Add some of the tomato sauce on top, then layer the steak or doner meat. Add a bit more tomato sauce on top of the meat. Then, add the charred vegetables on the side along with a generous dollop of yogurt. Drizzle the final dish with melted butter. Serve immediately!
How to Store Iskender Kebab
When serving this dish, I suggest only plating what you will be eating, and leaving all the components separate. That way, you can enjoy any leftovers the next day, without the bread becoming soggy from the sauce.
Simply store the tomato sauce and the doner meat in an air tight container, separately. Then you can store the bread in a sealed bag on the counter for a few days. The butter drizzle can be made right before serving.
If you tried these recipes, please consider leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page – I’d love to hear from you! You can also hop on over to Instagram and say hello!
Easy Turkish Iskender Kebab
Ingredients
For the Meat
- doner kebab recipe OR
- 500 grams beef tenderloin, sirloin or skirt steak thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion finely grated
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chilli flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Tomato Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups water
For Serving
- 4 pita or Turkish bread thick pita preffered
- 4 green peppers grilled
- 2 tomatoes quartered and grilled
- 4 tablespoons ghee or butter melted
- 1 cup yogurt optional
Instructions
For the Meat
- Prepare doner meat as indicated in recipe.
- Alternatively, in a medium bowl, marinate the tenderloin slices with the grated onion, black pepper, salt, chilli flakes and olive oil for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- In a cast iron or non-stick skillet, on medium to high heat cook the tenderloin slices for 2-3 minutes on each side. Set aside.
For the Tomato Sauce
- In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook the tomato paste on medium heat for 2 minutes before adding the spices and water. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes till it thickens and develops a deep flavor.
For Serving
- Cube the bread into 1 inch sized cubes. Place on a large baking sheet with parchment paper and broil on high for 2 minutes until it is lightly golden and crispy. Keep an eye on it as it will burn quickly!
- On a cast iron skillet or in the oven, grill the peppers and tomatoes for a couple of minutes until they get a nice char.
- To assemble: on individual plates, add some of the toasted pita squares, pour some of the tomato sauce, top with the cooked meat, and serve along with 2 tablespoons of yogurt, tomatoes and peppers on the side. Drizzle the melted butter or ghee on top to finish.
Video
Notes
- You can make doner kebab using this recipe, or just use thinly sliced steak. Tenderloin, sirloin or skirt steak will all work. Ensure you slice them against the grain.
- You can use store bought Turkish bread as pictured in the recipe, but it can be hard to find. Alternatively, you can use thick pita bread. Ensure it is thick to avoid it getting soggy from the sauce.
Nutrition
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