How I make Iskander Kebab at Home

 

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🥙 Homemade Iskander Kebab Recipe

A delicious, no-fuss meal that’s freezer-friendly and perfect for family dinners.

I love making Iskander Kebab at home—it's flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy! I usually prep and freeze the kebab in thin sheets so it's ready to fry and serve whenever needed. Below is my complete guide, from making the kebab and bread to preparing the rich tomato sauce and assembling everything.

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🍢 Step 1: Make the Kebab

Ingredients:

• 500g minced beef

• 1 onion

• ¼ bell pepper/capsicum (I used small pieces of red, green, and yellow each)

• 1 tbsp crushed ginger garlic

• Fresh parsley (chopped)

• Salt (to taste)

• Black pepper (to taste)

• Paprika (to taste)

• 2 tbsp yogurt

Method:

1. Chop or grind the onion, bell peppers, ginger garlic, and parsley finely.

2. Mix them into the minced beef along with the yogurt and spices.

3. Mix well. Optional: Let it rest for 30 minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors infuse.

4. Place a portion of the kebab mix in a ziplock bag and roll it into a thin sheet. Adjust the quantity depending on your ziplock bag size.

   • I usually get 5 sheets using large ziplock covers.

5. Lay the sheets flat in a tray and freeze overnight or until ready to use.

6. When you're ready to serve, take out the sheet and break it with your hands.

7. Cook the broken kebab pieces on a hot pan or tawa until done on both sides.

   • I break them into big pieces first and then cut them to desired size using a spatula on the tawa.

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🍞 Step 2: Make the Bread

Dough Ingredients:

• 3 to 3½ cups all-purpose flour

• Salt (as needed)

• 1½ cups lukewarm water

• 1 tbsp active dry yeast

• 1 egg white

To Brush on Top:

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tbsp yogurt

Optional Toppings:

• Sesame seeds

• Black seeds

• Sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix lukewarm water and yeast. Let it proof for 5–10 minutes.

2. Add in flour, salt, and egg white, and knead into a soft, smooth dough.

3. Cover and let it rise for 1–2 hours.

4. Preheat your oven to 250°C.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil, grease with oil, and dust with flour.

6. Roll out the dough into a sheet and place it on the tray.

   • Optional: Divide the dough into 2 portions and roll into two circles.

7. Let it rest for 15 minutes covered.

8. Mix egg yolk with yogurt and brush it over the top of the bread.

9. Use your hands to press indentations into the dough to form bite-sized portions.

10. Sprinkle seeds on top (optional).

11. Bake at 250°C for 15 minutes.

12. If needed, broil for 3–5 minutes to get a golden brown top.

13. Once cool, cut into bite-sized pieces.

• This bread is also amazing on its own—crispy outside, soft and chewy inside.

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🍅 Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2–3 tbsp butter

• 4 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tomatoes, pureed

• 2 cups water

• Salt (to taste)

• Black pepper (to taste)

• Paprika (to taste)

• A small amount of jaggery or sugar (to balance acidity)

Method:

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter.

2. Add tomato paste and sauté for a few seconds.

3. Add pureed tomatoes and spices. Cook for 2 minutes.

4. Pour in water and bring to a boil.

5. Lower the flame and simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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🧄 Step 4: Assemble and Serve

You'll Need:

• Bread (cut into bite-sized pieces)

• Prepared tomato sauce

• Cooked kebab pieces

• Greek yogurt / Labneh / Hung curd

• Melted butter or ghee (for richness)

• Parsley or dill leaves (for garnish)

• Optional: Grilled tomatoes and green chilies

Assembly:

1. In a serving dish, arrange the bread pieces.

2. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the bread.

3. Add the cooked kebab pieces on top.

4. Drizzle more sauce over the kebabs.

5. Pour melted butter or ghee over everything.

6. Add scoops of yogurt around the plate or serve it on the side.

   • Yogurt balances out the flavors beautifully.

7. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill.

8. Optionally, serve with grilled tomatoes and chilies for extra flavor and heat.

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💡 Tips & Notes:

• Freezer Tip: Store rolled kebab sheets in the freezer for easy weekday dinners. Just take out and cook straight on the pan.

• Make it Spicier: Add green chilies or red chili powder to the kebab mix or sauce.

• Meal Prep Tip: Half of this recipe is perfect for a family of 4.

• Storage Tip: Cut bread into bite-sized pieces and keep in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat at 160°C for 5-10 minutes.

• Sauce Balance: Add a touch of jaggery or sugar to reduce the acidity of the tomato.

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🍽️ Final Thoughts:

Serve this dish warm and enjoy how all the components—crispy bread, juicy kebabs, tangy sauce, and creamy yogurt—come together in perfect harmony. It’s a family favorite and also a great way to impress guests without too much last-minute work.

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Iskander Kebab – Quick Recipe Card

🧆 For the Kebab

• 500g minced beef
• 1 onion
• ¼ bell pepper (red, green, yellow mix)
• 1 tbsp crushed ginger garlic
• Chopped parsley
• Salt, black pepper, paprika to taste
• 2 tbsp yogurt

1. Finely chop/ grind the onion, capsicum, garlic-ginger, parsley. Mix into beef with spices and yogurt.
2. Optional: Refrigerate for 30 mins to marinate.
3. Roll mix into thin sheets in ziplock bags and freeze.
4. Break sheet, cook on tawa until browned on both sides.

🍞 For the Bread

• 3 – 3½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ cups lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp dry yeast
• 1 egg white (for dough)
• Salt as needed
• 1 egg yolk + 2 tbsp yogurt (for brushing)
• Optional: sesame, black seeds, sunflower seeds

1. Proof yeast in water. Add flour, salt, egg white. Knead to smooth dough.
2. Let rise 1–2 hours. Roll and place on tray.
3. Brush with yolk-yogurt mix, add indentations and seeds.
4. Bake at 250°C for 15 mins. Broil top for golden color if needed.
5. Cool and cut into bite-sized pieces.

🍅 For the Tomato Sauce

• 2–3 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 pureed tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• Salt, pepper, paprika
• Jaggery or sugar (optional)

1. Sauté butter and tomato paste. Add pureed tomatoes and spices.
2. Pour water, simmer for 15–20 mins.

🥙 To Assemble

• Bread (cut in cubes)
• Kebab pieces (freshly cooked)
• Prepared tomato sauce
• Greek yogurt / Labneh
• Melted butter or ghee
• Parsley or dill for garnish
• Optional: Grilled tomatoes & chilies

1. Layer bread in serving dish. Add sauce.
2. Top with kebab pieces and more sauce.
3. Drizzle melted butter/ghee.
4. Add yogurt on the sides or serve separately.
5. Garnish and serve warm!