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Döner Kebab
The first time I sunk my teeth into a doner kebab was at kebab shop on my trip to Germany last year. My parents live in Frankfurt and know all the best local spots. I instantly fell in love with the irresistible complex flavors and fresh ingredients. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with different flavor combinations and ratios to bring you the best doner kebabs made easy at home. And let me just say, you will LOVE these doner kebabs! They avoid the all-too frequent trap of monotony with mesmerizing layers of earthiness, heat and acid begging to be swaddled in flatbread or served as a plate with fragrant rice and fresh veggies.
Why You’ll Love this Kebab Recipe:
Easy. Marinate the chicken, whip up the yogurt sauce and chop some veggies. When ready to serve, corral the ingredients into a wrap or enjoy the spread on a plate. When making plates, I also throw ingredients into my rice cooker for curried rice (instructions included) – couldn’t be any easier! Flavor and texture. This doner kebab recipe is every bit as delicious as your favorite kebab shop – and then some. The bold, juicy chicken with crispy charred bits, creamy hummus, cooling garlic yogurt sauce, fresh crisp veggies and juicy tomatoes all wrapped in warm pita bread is out of this world. Prep ahead. While the chicken marinates, you can prep the yogurt sauce and chop the veggies so all you have to do is cook the chicken at dinner time – winner, winner chicken dinner! Meal prep or make ahead. You can cook the chicken ahead of time then divide the ingredients between containers for meal prep or have everything ready to go at lunch or dinner time. Versatile. This is one of my favorite aspects of doner kebabs. You can serve the marinated chicken plain with whatever sides you desire or serve as wraps, bowls, or salads. I will often make a big batch of marinated doner kebabs on Sunday and serve it countless ways throughout the week. Family friendly. Everyone can assemble their own doner kebab wraps, plates, salads or grain bowls with their favorite ingredients. Healthy. This doner kebab recipe can be devoured guilt free and you’ll love every bite. The fresh, vibrant veggies are also the perfect complement to the earthy, robust chicken. Easy to double. You can double or triple the recipe for entertaining, for purposeful leftovers or to freeze. Great for entertaining. You can prep all of the wrap or salad ingredients ahead of time then just grill the doner kebabs while your guests chat it up and then everyone can assemble their own wraps or plates. This makes YOUR life easier and THEIR plates perfect for them!
What is a Doner Kebab?
The doner kebab (also spelled döner kebab or doner kabob) originated in Turkey and consists of stacked, yogurt-spiced marinated meats – lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, or a mix of meat – that is cooked on a slowly-rotating, vertical spit in front of a rotisserie for hours. As the meat cooks, it self-bastes in its own seasoned fat and juices which creates lusciously juicy, flavorful meat and beautifully crisp and caramelized outside edges. The doner kebab is thinly shaved off the spit to-order and is either served on a plate or in a flatbread along with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumber and either chili sauce or garlic yogurt sauce.
Döner Kebab Ingredients
Doner kebab can be made of lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, or a mix of meat, but I’ve kept this recipe simple using easy, economical, accessible, approachable, kid friendly and delicious chicken. The chicken can be grilled or baked then made into wraps, salads, sandwiches or bowls. If you would like to use other proteins, this doner kebab marinade would be fabulous on anything – it makes EVERYTHING better!
Kebab Spices:
Doner kebab is intensely flavorful due to the plethora of seasonings. I know it is a lot of spices, but they each play a crucial role in the complex flavor profile and only take a couple minutes to whisk together so please don’t skip any! You will need:
Cumin: warm, earthy, nutty, with a hint of both sweet and bitter Smoked paprika: rich, mild, sweet, and smoky made from smoked pimento peppers dried over oak fires Coriander: earthy, tart, and sweet Cinnamon: strong, warm and sweetly pungent Garlic powder: dehydrated garlic for better distribution; is pungent, aromatic, and spicy. Onion powder: aromatic with a spicy bite Chili powder: made from a blend chili peppers and other spices including cumin, onion, garlic powder; note American chili powder is NOT hot cayenne pepper Oregano: aromatic, earthy, minty notes Salt and pepper: enhance all of the flavors
Doner Meat Marinade:
I love marinades because it is the easiest way to tenderize chicken and infuse otherwise boring chicken with tons of flavor. The resulting symphony of flavors ensures our doner kebab is seeping with a chorus of robust, earthy, warm flavors. And bonus, by marinating chicken, all the work to create a flavorful bite is already done for you when it’s time to eat. All you have to do is cook the chicken and devour!
Greek yogurt: the calcium and lactic acid work together to break down the protein in the chicken, leaving it super tender. It also creates a thick coating which insulates the chicken from drying out. Olive oil: use extra quality olive oil for the best flavor. The olive oil dissolves fat-soluble flavor compounds from the seasonings and other flavorings and evenly disperses them onto the surface of the chicken. Lemon juice: helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down lean muscle fibers. Tomato paste: helps tenderize the chicken and adds subtle flavor. Balsamic vinegar: isn’t a traditional ingredient in doner kebab, but after using it in my Greek Chicken marinade, chicken shawarma and now this doner kebab recipe, I can attest it adds a depth of flavor.
WHAT CUT OF CHICKEN IS BEST?
You will want to use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this doner kebab recipe. Chicken thighs are dark meat which means they are inherently juicier, richer tasting and produce far more tender chicken than chicken breasts. We need the higher fat content of chicken thighs to insulate the chicken from drying out when cooking at the high heat required to create the caramelized exterior.
Can I use chicken breasts for doner meat?
If you want to use chicken breasts, then I don’t recommend threading them onto skewers to make kebabs. Instead, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating, or if your chicken breasts are extra-large, slice them through the equator to create fillets. Now, grill the chicken directly on the grill.
DONER KEBAB INGREDIENTS
This doner kebab recipe begins with the intoxicating marinated grilled chicken, fresh veggies, cool garlic yogurt sauce all cocooned in warm flatbread. Here’s what you’ll need:
THE FLATBREAD
There are many types of flatbreads, but for doner kebab wraps, you will want Lebanese flatbread also known as Arabic bread, Syrian bread or simply pita bread. It is a soft, slightly leavened flatbread baked at high temperatures, so it puffs up in the oven.
VEGGIES
Lettuce. Use crunchy iceberg or Romaine lettuce. Remove the outer leaves so the lettuce is fresh and crunchy. Tomatoes. Please use ripe tomatoes for the best flavor and texture. Cucumber. I use an English Cucumber so there is no peeling required but you can also use a slicing cucumber and peel. Red onions. You’ll want to thinly slice the red onions for the best texture and even flavor. Use more or less to taste. You can also pickle the red onions.
OTHER TOPPINGS
NON TRADITIONAL TOPPINGS
Bell peppers. You can use red, yellow or orange bell peppers – whatever you have on hand. They are also delicious sautéed for a minute or two OR use roasted red bell peppers – yum! Olives. Kalamata olives boast a dark, rich intensely fruity flavor. Chickpeas. Roasted chickpeas tossed in some olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne add a fun flavor/texture pop. Artichoke hearts. I love their tanginess! Make sure to rinse and drain if you purchase them in oil. Sun–dried tomatoes. Same as above -rinse before using. I also like to chop them into bite-size pieces. Avocado. Their luscious creaminess is always a welcome addition.
DONER KEBAB SAUCE
Doner Kebab meat is often served with either white sauce or red sauce – but I like both! The white sauce is usually a mixture of mayonnaise and yogurt but I’ve gone all guilt free Greek yogurt. My lemon garlic yogurt sauce is lusciously creamy, tangy, super flavorful and marries all of the flavors and textures together. You can also serve doner kebabs with tzatziki which is fabulous, or tahini sauce, but I don’t find the latter as refreshing. The red sauce is spicy chili sauce. It can be made from scratch from chili sauce, vinegar, sugar, cayenne pepper, etc., but I find pantry friendly siracha does the trick.
YOGURT GARLIC SAUCE INGREDIENTS
For this yogurt sauce, I kept it super fresh and simple. Just whisk the ingredients together in a bowl and chill. You will need:
Greek yogurt: you must use Greek yogurt verses regular yogurt because Greek yogurt is much thicker. You may use either Greek whole-milk yogurt, low-fat or non-fat yogurt and they will all produce excellently thick, creamy results. Garlic: I use 2 garlic cloves for but you are welcome to add more or less to taste. Lemon juice: fresh lemon juice is preferred, but you may substitute with bottled lemon juice. Parsley: clean, slightly peppery with a touch of earthiness and almost anise-like. Use the top of the bunch, no need to separate the leaves from the stems. Mint: refreshing, clean, cooling mint plays beautifully with the parsley and garlic. Use more or less to taste. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, ground cumin and ground coriander round out the flavor profile. Use more or less to taste.
Kebab tools
Skewers: I LOVE my stainless-steel skewers! They allow you to grill any time without soaking your wooden skewers (AKA no fires!), are reusable, dishwasher safe with an easy to use top ring handle. They are definitely worth the $20 for a lifetime of use. Grill brush: is essential for keeping your grill clean! This grill brush with scrapers cleans stubborn stains deeply and efficiently. Instant-read thermometer: you need an instant-read thermometer for the juiciest chicken, steak and pork AND for perfectly fried everything! It allows you to cook any protein to the perfect temperature every time and allows you to heat oil to the correct temperature for frying. Quality Knives: a chef’s knife will be your most used kitchen tool by far! Quality knives make prep time much quicker and are important for safety as well. If you’re concerned about moola, please remember that your best chef knives, depending on how hard you use them and how well you take care of them, can easily last 25 years or more. I love my Wusthof but there are hundreds of less expensive knives with great reviews such as this one. Cutting Board: I use my big solid cutting board daily so it’s worth the investment. This large cutting board allows you to prep all your veggies on one surface and teak is known for its outstanding moisture resistance and strength due to natural oils locked into the grain.
HOW TO MAKE DONER KEBAB
STEP 1: MARINATE CHICKEN
Whisk all of the Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl or freezer size plastic bag. HOW LONG DO I MARINATE THE CHICKEN? You will want to marinate the chicken for 8-24 hours. You can get away with marinating it for less time, but the longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will become.
STEP 2: MAKE GARLIC YOGURT SAUCE
While the chicken is marinating, whisk the Garlic Yogurt Sauce ingredient together in a medium bowl. Chill until ready to serve. The sauce can be made at the time you start marinating the chicken or preferable at least an hour before serving.
STEP 3: CHOP VEGGIES
At any point while the chicken is marinating and yogurt sauce is chilling, chop the lettuce, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers. Refrigerate in separate airtight containers. I like to place a paper towel with the tomatoes to absorb excess moisture and keep them fresh.
STEP 4: THREAD CHICKEN ONTO SKEWERS
Using 2 skewers for each kebab, thread one side of the thigh onto each skewer and then the other side. Slide the chicken down to the end of the skewers. Repeat with half the chicken, pushing the chicken against each other. Repeat to make a second kabob with the remaining chicken.
STEP 5: COOK KEBABS – Grill or BAKE
When ready to cook, let chicken sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This will ensure the chicken cooks evenly. You can grill the chicken outdoors or cook it in the oven. I prefer grilling the chicken because it not only takes less time but imparts that wonderfully smoky flavor.
TO GRILL DONER KEBABS:
TO BAKE DONER KEBABS
STEP 6: WARM FLATBREAD
Oven: wrap the desired amount of flatbread in foil and place in the oven. Heat for 8-10 minutes or until warm and pliable. Remove from the oven using oven mitts. Grill: place desired amount of flatbread on the grill for a few minutes to warm. Don’t cook for too long or they’ll become crispy.
STEP 7: CARVE
Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before carving. Stand the skewers upright on a cutting board and thinly slice chicken off.
STEP 8: Serve
DONER KEBAB “WRAPS”: Spread a generous amount of hummus over warmed flatbread. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, chicken, and garlic yogurt sauce. Drizzle with sriracha if you like some heat – careful, a little goes a long way. DONER KEBAB PLATES: Serve chicken on a plate with desired accompaniments such as warmed flatbread, curried rice (see notes), shredded lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and sides of garlic yogurt sauce, sriracha and hummus.
How to cook Doner Meat without Skewers
Skewering the doner chicken creates juicy chicken with delightful caramelized edges. If you don’t have skewers, you can also cook the chicken without skewering but the edges won’t become quite as crispy. You also don’t need to cut the thighs in half.
STOVE TOP:
Heat one tablespoon vegetable oil a large cast iron skillet or grill pan over medium high heat. Working in batches, add chicken in a single layer and cook for 4-5 minutes. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook approximately 3-5 additional minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
GRILL:
Grease and preheat the grill to medium high heat, 375-450°F. Grill chicken, covered, for 5-7 minutes per side, or until chicken is cooked through and an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
BAKE
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Add chicken to baking sheet in a single layer so they aren’t touching. Bake at 425 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until an internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Broil each side for extra crispiness. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
CAN I PREP DONER KEBAB IN ADVANCE?
Doner kebabs make excellent meal prep. If you are meal prepping for at home, then you can easily store all of the ingredients in separate containers in the refrigerator. If you are meal prepping for on the go lunches, I consolidate the ingredients. I prefer warm doner kebab meat, so I divide the chicken from the fresh ingredients. Here’s how:
Doner Kebab Recipe Tips
Use chicken thighs. For the juiciest, most flavorful chicken with greater caramelization, use chicken thighs. Chicken breasts are too lean and will dry out at the high heat and duration required to caramelize the exterior of the chicken. Cut chicken in half. Cut the chicken thighs in half to create two smaller pieces. The smaller pieces will cook more evenly and quickly and create more edges for caramelization. Try and cut them roughly the same size. Marinate chicken. The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will become but don’t marinate longer than 24 hours. Skewer on a flat surface. The chicken is easiest to skewer without piercing yourself by placing the skewers on a flat surface and securing one side of the chicken and then the other. Always remove your fingers from behind the chicken and move them to the sides when pushing the chicken onto the skewer. Clean and grease grill: the yogurt-based marinade likes to stick so make sure you clean the grill well before greasing and don’t skimp on the oil. Don’t rush the flip: Don’t attempt to move the kebabs before 4-5 minutes or else the chicken will tear due to the thick marinade. You need enough time for the doner kebabs to start to char. Once you can easily move the chicken, then you can flip it over. Cooking time will vary. I’ve made this chicken kebab recipe many times and the cooking time is never exactly the same. The total time will depend on how thick your chicken is and exactly how hot your grill is. Use a meat thermometer. Due to variances above, always use a meat thermometer so you don’t undercook, OR overcook the chicken. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Let chicken rest. After chicken is finished cooking, transfer it to a cutting board and let rest 5-10 minutes before slicing so it has time to reabsorb the juices that have pushed towards the outside of the chicken. If you cut into the chicken immediately after cooking, valuable, moisture-giving juices will run out. Prep the sauce with the chicken. The garlic yogurt sauce is very best after being refrigerated for at least one hour so the flavors have time to meld; so, make the sauce right after you add the chicken to the marinade if possible. Don’t skip the sauce! The yogurt sauce is a key so please don’t skip. Its creamy consistency is needed to marry all of the ingredients together and its refreshing tanginess cuts through the earthy flavors of the chicken. If you don’t want to make the sauce, you can use Greek yogurt instead, it just won’t be quite as good. Customize toppings. The wrap/topping ingredients are simply suggestions- you can use add/swap any ingredients for your favs such as bell peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, etc. You don’t have to make a wrap! Turn the doner kebab meat into anything you want – grain bowls, salad, pasta salad, sandwiches, even pizza.
What to Serve with Doner Meat
Doner Kebab is practically a meal in itself with nutritious protein and veggies. It is also delicious with these sides:
GRAINS: curried rice (recipe in notes), lemon rice, plain rice, lentils or Mejadra (Middle Eastern lentil rice) SALAD: Greek pasta salad, Middle Eastern chickpea salad, tabbouleh salad, or a green salad. You can also go non-traditional with Roasted Butternut Squash Salad, Green Bean Salad. Strawberry Salad, or Beet Salad. POTATOES: roasted potatoes or fingerling fries FRUIT: grapes, Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette, Winter Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Poppy Seed Vinaigrette and Berry Salad in Honey Mascarpone. VEGGIES: Roasted Asparagus, Roasted Broccoli, Roasted Cauliflower, Sautéed Lemon Garlic Brussels Sprouts, Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Butternut Squash
How to serve Döner Kebab meat
There are two traditional ways doner kebab meat is served – as doner kebab wraps and doner kebab plates. They both use similar ingredients so you can even set up an ingredients bar and let everyone decide what to make.
Kebabs AKA “Doner kebab Wraps”
Lebanese flatbread is smeared with hummus then topped with finely shredded lettuce, chopped cucumbers, sliced tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions then loaded with thinly shaved doner kebab meat. It is then topped with garlic yogurt sauce (recipe included) or tahini. You can also drizzle with chili sauce like sriracha if you like it spicy.
Doner Kebab Plates
Doner kebab plates are like a deconstructed wrap with a few more options. Your plate is loaded with doner kebab meat, sliced tomatoes, chopped cucumbers, and thinly sliced lettuce – all of which is sometimes combined along with thinly sliced carrots to create a salad. Plates are also often served with tabbouleh, Mejadra or curried rice (recipe in notes) along with a side of warm Lebanese flatbread. Hummus and yogurt sauce are also served on the side.
Doner Kebab Salad
Are your low carb option. Serve with the same ingredients as plates but skip the rice and flatbread.
Kebab storage
The cooked chicken can stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days and is ready to use when needed! The fresh components should be stored separately so the tomatoes don’t make the other ingredients soggy and stay as fresh as possible.
CAN I FREEZE DONER KEBABS?
Yes! You can freeze the uncooked marinating chicken or cooked chicken.
Freeze chicken in marinade. Add the chicken to the marinade ingredients and freeze. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use, the chicken will marinate as you defrost the chicken in the refrigerator. Freeze chicken. You can also freeze cooked doner kebab meat for easy meal prep or use-as-you-go individual wraps. After you have cooked the chicken, let it cool completely then transfer it to an airtight container or plastic freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Freeze for 2 to 3 months.
HOW TO REHEAT DONER KEBABS
Skillet: heat a tablespoon of olive oil in skillet and heat over medium low heat. Add chicken and heat until warmed through, adding a splash of water for added moisture if needed. Microwave: reheat in the microwave at 30 second intervals, taking care not to overcook. Oven: cover chicken with foil and reheat in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F or just until warmed through.
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