İskender Kebap is a world-renowned delicacy originating from the city of Bursa, Turkey. Named after İskender Efendi, who first introduced this delicious dish in the late 19th century, İskender Kebap features thinly sliced döner meat, combined with fresh yogurt, tomato sauce, and fried butter, creating an unforgettable taste. Traditionally served on a bed of pita bread, this unique dish is considered one of the most special recipes in Turkish cuisine.
Iskender Kebap: A Legendary Delight of Turkish Cuisine
The history of İskender Kebap dates back to the 1800s. It was born in the establishment of İskender Efendi, one of Bursa’s famous meat restaurants. İskender Efendi revolutionized kebab culture by inventing the vertically cooked döner kebab, bringing this flavor to Turkish cuisine. Over time, İskender Kebap became a beloved delicacy consumed all over Turkey.
Bursa is a city located in Turkey’s Marmara region and is one of the first capitals of the Ottoman Empire. Known for its historical texture, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage, Bursa is also famous for its thermal waters and the Uludağ Ski Resort. The city is filled with mosques, tombs, and baths that showcase the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. Bursa’s historical bazaars and inns are brimming with traditional Turkish handicrafts and souvenirs. Moreover, the city’s famous İskender Kebap and candied chestnuts leave unforgettable tastes on the palates of visitors. Bursa stands out as one of Turkey’s most important tourism centers, seamlessly blending its past and present.
Ingredients for Homemade Iskender Kebap
For the kebab:
500 grams lamb meat (whole piece, not diced)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, sweet red pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
For the sauce:
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 tablespoon pepper paste
1 cup canned grated tomatoes or 1 large grated fresh tomato
Salt, black pepper
1/2 tea glass of water
For the topping:
1-1.5 cups yogurt
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
Salt
Red pepper flakes
For the bread:
1 piece of ready-made pita bread (cut into cubes)
Or you can follow my leavened bread recipe and make it a bit thicker to use as pita in this recipe
But my preference is thick and hard-crusted loaf bread.
How to Make Homemade Iskender Kebap
– If your meat is not already in the freezer, place it in the freezer a day in advance to freeze it thoroughly.
– After taking the meat out of the freezer, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes and then slice it very thinly with a sharp knife.
– Cook the sliced meat with vegetable oil and add the spices.
– For the sauce, melt the butter in a pan and sauté the pepper paste.
– Add the canned tomatoes or grated fresh tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and water, and cook until thickened to prepare the sauce.
– Mix the yogurt with the garlic and a little salt, and beat well.
– Place the cubed bread on a serving plate.
– Pour the tomato sauce over the bread and arrange the meat on top.
– Add some of the prepared garlic yogurt on top of the meat and sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
– Optionally, serve with extras like tomatoes, green peppers, pickles, or rice. Enjoy your meal!
Tips for Making Iskender Kebap at Home
Make sure to freeze your meat one day in advance.
Slice the meat very thinly.
What to Serve with İskender Kebap
İskender Kebap is a filling dish on its own, so there is no need to add extra dishes. However, if you want to prepare a side dish just in case, you can choose rice pilaf.
You can also prepare snacks like small lahmacuns (Turkish pizzas), lettuce salad, or beverages like quince compote that won’t upset your stomach.
How Many Calories Are in Iskender Kebap?
One serving of İskender Kebap is approximately 761 calories.