Homemade Halal Beyti Kebab Recipe

Get ready to prepare a truly delightful and satisfying dish: Beyti Kebab! This flavorful Turkish recipe is perfect for beginner cooks and those looking for delicious homemade halal meals. Beyti Kebab is a wonderful combination of seasoned ground meat wrapped in thin flatbread, baked to perfection, and served with creamy yogurt and a flavorful tomato sauce. It is easier to make than you might think, and the result is a dish that is both impressive and comforting. Let’s embark on this culinary adventure together!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before starting, gather all the necessary ingredients. This recipe uses simple, readily available halal ingredients.

• 🥩 For the Beyti Kebab:
  • 1 pound halal ground lamb or beef (or a mix)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • 4-5 pieces of large, thin flatbread (lavash or tortilla wraps can be used)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 🍅 For the Tomato Sauce:
  • 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• 🥛 For Serving:
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional, for garlic yogurt)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

Having the right equipment makes the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable.

• 🥣 Large mixing bowl
• 🥄 Measuring spoons
• 🥛 Measuring cups
• 🔪 Knife
• 🧄 Garlic press (optional, if making garlic yogurt or tomato sauce)
• 🍳 Large skillet or pan
• 🔥 Baking sheet
• 🧑‍🍳 Pastry brush (optional, for brushing oil on wraps)
• 🍽️ Serving plate

Let’s Learn Basic Kitchen Techniques

For beginner cooks, understanding a few basic techniques will be very helpful in making this recipe. Don’t worry, these are easy to learn!

Mincing Garlic: Mincing garlic means chopping it into very small pieces. You can use a knife to finely chop garlic or use a garlic press. A garlic press is a tool that makes mincing garlic very easy – just put a clove of garlic in the press and squeeze the handles!

Sautéing Onions and Ground Meat: Sautéing means cooking food in a little bit of oil over medium heat until it’s softened and lightly browned. When sautéing onions and ground meat for this recipe, you will first cook the onions until they become soft and translucent, meaning they are no longer raw-looking and become slightly see-through. Then, you will add the ground meat and cook it until it is browned and no longer pink. This step adds depth of flavor to the dish.

Making Tomato Sauce (Simmering): Simmering means cooking a liquid gently over low heat. When making the tomato sauce, you will combine the ingredients in a pan and let it simmer. Simmering allows the flavors to blend together and the sauce to thicken slightly. It’s important to keep the heat low so the sauce doesn’t boil vigorously or burn.

Making Beyti Kebab: Step-by-Step

Now, let’s get to the exciting part: putting together the Beyti Kebab! Follow these step-by-step instructions, and you’ll be enjoying this delicious dish in no time. Refer to the image to see how the finished dish looks and how it is presented. Notice in the image how the Beyti Kebabs are arranged on the plate with yogurt in the center.

Step 1: Preparing the Meat Mixture

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the halal ground lamb or beef, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, paprika, cumin, black pepper, and salt.
2. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly with your hands or a spoon until everything is well combined. Ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. This mixture is the flavorful filling for your Beyti Kebab.

Step 2: Preparing the Tomato Sauce

1. In a skillet or pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Add dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well.
3. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmering helps the sauce thicken and the flavors meld together beautifully. After simmering, set the tomato sauce aside and keep it warm.

Step 3: Assembling the Beyti Kebabs

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Take one piece of flatbread and lay it flat on a clean surface. Place a portion of the meat mixture along one edge of the flatbread, shaping it into a long, sausage-like log. Refer to the image to see the approximate thickness and shape of the meat filling inside the wrap.
3. Roll up the flatbread tightly around the meat filling to form a roll. Cut each roll diagonally into 2-3 pieces. You can see in the image that the Beyti Kebab rolls are cut into shorter, diagonal pieces for serving.
4. Repeat this process with the remaining flatbread and meat mixture until all are used.
5. Place the Beyti Kebab pieces onto the prepared baking sheet, cut-side up. Brush the tops of the rolls with a little olive oil for a nice golden color while baking (optional).

Step 4: Baking the Beyti Kebabs

1. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the flatbread is golden brown and the meat is cooked through. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
2. Once baked, remove the Beyti Kebabs from the oven.

Step 5: Serving Your Beyti Kebab

1. While the Beyti Kebabs are baking, you can prepare the garlic yogurt if desired. Simply mix plain yogurt with minced garlic and a pinch of salt.
2. Arrange the baked Beyti Kebabs on a serving plate. You can arrange them in a circular pattern as shown in the image or in any way you like.
3. Spoon the warm tomato sauce over the Beyti Kebabs.
4. Place a generous dollop of plain yogurt or garlic yogurt in the center of the plate.
5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious homemade Turkish Beyti Kebab!

Tips for Perfect Beyti Kebab

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients always enhance the flavor of any dish. Using fresh parsley, onion, and garlic will make a noticeable difference in your Beyti Kebab.
• Don’t Overfill the Wraps: Avoid putting too much meat filling in each flatbread wrap, as this can make them difficult to roll tightly and they might burst during baking.
• Adjust Spices to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of spices according to your preference. If you like it spicier, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
• Make it Ahead: You can prepare the meat mixture and tomato sauce ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the Beyti Kebabs just before serving.

Enjoy the Process of Making Beyti Kebab!

Preparing Turkish Beyti Kebab is a rewarding experience. The aroma of the spices, the sizzle of the meat, and the final presentation of the dish are all part of the joy of cooking. Don’t be intimidated if you are a beginner cook. This recipe is designed to be easy to follow, and with a little patience, you can put together a truly impressive and delicious meal.

We encourage you to try making this Beyti Kebab recipe at home. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy a taste of Turkish cuisine in your own kitchen. Share your Beyti Kebab you’ve made with family and friends, and let them savor the flavors of your homemade halal cooking. Afiyet olsun! (Bon appétit!)