These Kebabs Are Incredible
These Yogurtlu Kebabs are one of the most flavorful meals you’ll ever make! 🤩 Juicy spiced kebabs topped with creamy garlic yogurt and a warm tomato sauce—it’s a Greek & Turkish-inspired dish that feels restaurant-worthy but is surprisingly easy at home. Serve with warm pita and you’re set! 🥙✨
What You Need
Kebabs
✅ 2 lb ground beef (or half beef, half lamb)
✅ 2 Tbsp dried minced onion
✅ 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
✅ 1 Tbsp sumac (or lemon zest + pinch salt)
✅ 2 tsp smoked paprika
✅ 1 tsp dried oregano
✅ 1 tsp coriander
✅ 1 tsp cumin
✅ 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
✅ 1 tsp black pepper
✅ 2 Tbsp breadcrumbs
✅ 1 large egg, beaten
Greek Tomato Sauce
✅ 4 large roma tomatoes, grated
✅ 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
✅ 2 Tbsp butter
✅ 5 cloves garlic, minced
✅ 1/4 cup tomato sauce
✅ 2 tsp cumin
✅ 1 tsp smoked paprika
✅ 2 sprigs fresh oregano
✅ Pinch salt and pepper
✅ 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Yogurt Sauce
✅ 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
✅ 2 cloves garlic, minced
✅ Sea salt, to taste
✅ Juice from 1/2 lemon
✅ Splash of milk (to thin if needed)
Instructions
1️⃣ Mix ground meat with onion, parsley, spices, breadcrumbs, and egg until just combined. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
2️⃣ Grate tomatoes using a box grater to collect the pulp for the sauce.
3️⃣ Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4️⃣ Add grated tomato and cook 3 minutes, then stir in tomato sauce and spices. Simmer 3–5 minutes and remove from heat.
5️⃣ Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and a splash of milk to make the yogurt sauce.
6️⃣ Divide meat into 15 portions and shape into sausage-shaped kebabs.
7️⃣ Grill or cook on a grill pan over medium heat, turning occasionally, until cooked through.
8️⃣ Serve kebabs over sliced onions, topped with yogurt sauce and tomato sauce. Garnish with parsley and serve with warm pita. 🥙
SAVE this recipe! ⭐ Find the full recipe at Tastes Better From Scratch (link in bio!).
#kebabrecipe #mediterraneanfood #greekinspired #dinnerideas #homemadekebabs
Oh my goodness, I remember the first time *we fell in love with YOGURTLU KEBABS in Greece*! The flavors were just unforgettable – that juicy, perfectly spiced meat, combined with creamy, tangy garlic yogurt and a rich, warm tomato sauce. It was such an incredible culinary discovery, and ever since, I've been obsessed with recreating that authentic Mediterranean magic right here at home. Trust me, these homemade kebabs are so much easier than you think, and they taste absolutely restaurant-worthy! To get those incredibly juicy kebabs, there are a few simple tricks I've learned. First, when mixing your ground meat (whether it's beef or a beef-lamb blend), be gentle! Overmixing can make the kebabs tough. Just combine the ingredients until they're just incorporated. And don't skip that 30-minute chilling step – it truly helps the flavors meld together beautifully and makes the mixture much easier to shape. I usually form mine into sausage-like shapes, perfect for grilling or pan-frying. If you're using wooden skewers, remember to soak them first to prevent burning! For cooking, a grill or grill pan gives that lovely charred flavor, but I've also had great success baking them on a sheet pan at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until they're cooked through and nicely browned. The sauces are what really elevate these Yogurtlu Kebabs. That fresh grated tomato sauce is a game-changer – grating fresh Roma tomatoes gives you a vibrant flavor and texture that canned tomatoes just can't replicate. And the creamy garlic yogurt? It’s the perfect cool contrast to the warm, spicy kebabs. Don't be shy with the garlic or lemon juice here; they really brighten up the sauce. If you prefer a bit more heat, a pinch more crushed red pepper flakes in the tomato sauce will give it a lovely kick. Beyond serving with warm pita, which is always a winner, I love to experiment with sides. These kebabs are fantastic over a bed of fluffy couscous or fragrant basmati rice, soaking up all those delicious juices and sauces. A simple side salad with crisp lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes dressed with a lemon vinaigrette also makes a wonderfully fresh accompaniment. Sometimes, I even roast some eggplant and bell peppers to serve alongside for a more substantial meal. Want to make dinner prep even easier? Much of this recipe can be prepped in advance! You can mix the kebab meat the day before and let it chill overnight; the longer it sits, the more robust the flavors become. Both the tomato sauce and the yogurt sauce can also be made a day ahead and stored separately in the fridge. This way, when dinnertime rolls around, all you have to do is cook the kebabs, and you're ready to assemble a spectacular meal. It’s perfect for entertaining or just making a delicious weeknight dinner feel special. Give these Yogurtlu Kebabs a try – I promise you'll be adding them to your regular rotation!
