Shish kebab
Cubes of marinated lamb or beef threaded on skewers and grilled over charcoal until browned and juicy. They are often cooked alongside peppers and tomatoes.

Şiş kebap and pilav: E4024, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Where it comes from
The name comes from the Turkish word for skewer, and shish kebab is eaten throughout Turkiye, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Grilling meat on skewers is one of the oldest cooking methods, and each region has its own marinades.
Explore the cuisine of Türkiye.
Recipe
Make Shish kebab at home
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless lamb leg or beef sirloin, cut in 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 onion, grated
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp yogurt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Peppers, tomatoes and onions for skewering
- Rice or flatbread to serve
How it's made
- Mix the onion, oil, yogurt, garlic, tomato paste and spices to a marinade.
- Coat the meat and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
- Thread the meat onto skewers, alternating with vegetables if desired.
- Preheat a grill to medium-high.
- Grill for 8 to 12 minutes, turning, until browned outside and slightly pink within.
- Rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve with rice, grilled tomatoes and flatbread.
Variations
- Lamb shish: The classic cut.
- Chicken shish: Uses boneless chicken thighs.
- Adana kebab: A spicy minced-meat version on wide skewers.
Cook’s tip: Leave a little space between the meat cubes so they cook evenly and char well.
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About this page
Description and method written by Intercontinental Chef. Home-style method; quantities are a starting point, so adjust to taste.
Photo credit
- Şiş kebap and pilav: E4024, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
