25 Types Of Famous Turkish Kebabs You Have To Try

I get it. You’ve visited Turkey once or twice and tried a few different types of kebabs. You liked them, but you want to try more. However, when a menu is placed in front of you, you’re so confused by the sheer number of different types that you find it hard to choose the best one.

It’s an eternal struggle; trust me, it has taken me more than a decade of living in Tükiye to figure it all out.

Famous Turkish Food

Or maybe it could be that you’re about to visit Turkey for the first time, and you want to try the most traditional kebabs. In that case, you need guidance.

Don’t worry. I consider myself an expert on finding the best Turkish kebabs, having tried many of them and having been confused about the whole thing, just like you. I did my research, and I’ll pass that on to you. Grab your pide bread, and let’s go.

25 Top Types Of Kebab You HAVE To Try Beyond The Doner kebab

Turkish kebabs are not all the same. Yes, they’re meat-based, but that’s the only similarity between them. Different spices are involved, as are different preparation techniques and serving methods.

To help you choose your perfect Turkish kebab, here are the 25 different types of kebabs you’ll find when you’re exploring this beautiful country, listed in no particular order.

1. Adana Kebab – My Favorite Turkish Kebab

This is a spicy kebab made with minced lamb or beef (usually lamb), seasoned with red pepper flakes, and grilled on skewers. It’s usually served with rice, grilled peppers, and tomato, but you can also get it in a wrap from street food vendors. Beware—this one is usually spicy, especially if it features Urfa pepper.

2. Çökertme Kebabı

Originating from the Bodrum region in Turkey’s Aegean coast, this kebab is made by layering pita bread soaked in tomato sauce, topped with chunks of lamb or beef cooked on skewers, and then garnished with melted butter and yogurt sauce.

It’s delicious and is often served over a bed of fries.

3. Kuzu Güveç

A slow-cooked lamb casserole is made with tender chunks of lamb, vegetables, and spices, cooked in a clay pot for a rich and flavorful dish.

This is a traditional meal that most families eat during the winter months, and the meat melts in your mouth.

4. Manisa Kebab

Manisa kebab is one of my favorites, and it originates from the city of Manisa in western Turkey.

It consists of pieces of marinated lamb or beef served over pitta bread soaked in tomato sauce, with more sauce on top and melted butter to finish.

5. Iskender Kebab

Originating from Bursa, this kebab consists of thinly sliced lamb or beef (usually beef) served over a bed of pita bread, topped with tomato sauce and melted butter. When done well, this is a delicious kebab, and the sauce really adds to the flavor.

Look for kebab restaurants that have Iskender in the name to find the best ones.

6. Shish Kebab

This is a classic kebab made with marinated chunks of meat (usually lamb or chicken) threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection. It is often served with rice, peppers, and onions, but again, you can sometimes get it in wraps.

7. Külbastı

This specialty kebab originating from Gaziantep features marinated chunks of lamb or beef cooked on an open-fire grill until tender and smoky. The meat is so tender that it literally melts in your mouth, and there is a sauce created from the cooking process, which is delicious when mopped up with bread.

8. Hünkar Beğendi

This is a royal dish consisting of slow-cooked chunks of meat (usually lamb meat) served over a bed of creamy smoked eggplant puree known as “beğendi.” It looks a little like mashed potato but has a definite eggplant taste.

9. Kaşarlı Köfte (Cheese-Stuffed Meatballs)

Meatballs are stuffed with melted cheese before being grilled or baked. While other meatballs are often served in a wrap, this one is almost always served on a plate with rice, grilled peppers, and tomatoes.

10. Döner kebab

Also known as gyro in other countries, döner kebab is made by stacking layers of seasoned meat (typically lamb or chicken) on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is then slowly cooked and thinly sliced for serving. The kebab is served in a wrap or pitta with salad.

When you’re looking for a good döner kebab, look at the kebab meat on the rotisserie and see if it looks juicy or dry. If it’s dry, steer clear.

11. Beyti Ground Lamb Kebab

Named after the famous Turkish chef Beyti Güler, this kebab features ground lamb or beef mixed with spices, wrapped in lavash bread, grilled until crispy, and served with yogurt and tomato sauce on top.

This is one of my favorites, and it’s usually served alongside bulgur and salad.

12. Urfa Kebab

Hailing from the city of Urfa in southeastern Turkey, this spicy kebab is made using minced meat mixed with garlic and red pepper flakes before being grilled to perfection. This is sometimes confused with Adana kebab, but they have a different taste.

When ordering a Urfa kebab, make sure you tell the server whether you want it spicy or not – Acili is pungent, and acisiz is not spicy.

13. Ali Nazik Kebab

This is a special one. It’s a delicious combination of smoked eggplant puree topped with tender pieces of marinated grilled meat (usually lamb meat) drizzled with garlic-infused yogurt sauce.

14. Tavuk Şiş Kebap (Chicken Skewers)

You’ll see sis kebab a lot, particularly in tourist resorts. It’s a simple yet delicious meal of chicken skewers marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika powder before being grilled until juicy and tender.

Again, it’s served with rice and vegetables, but in most tourist restaurants, it will also be served with chips.

15. Patlıcanlı Kağıtta Köfte (Eggplant & Beef Kebab)

This kebab consists of ground beef meatballs mixed with onions and spices, wrapped inside thin slices of eggplant, and baked to perfection.

16. Çöp Şiş (Lamb Intestine Skewers)

This is a unique kebab that might not be for everyone. It’s made with marinated lamb intestines threaded onto skewers and grilled until crispy.

I can’t say I’ve ever been brave enough to try this one, but it’s very popular locally, so perhaps you should.

17. Kuzu Tandır (Lamb Tandoori)

Lamb meat is cooked slowly and marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices until tender and succulent.

This is one of the more expensive varieties of kebabs, but it’s really delicious. It’s usually served with rice, vegetables, and bread.

18. Ciğer Kebabı (Liver Kebab)

Thinly sliced pieces of liver are seasoned with spices such as cumin and paprika before being grilled and served either with rice or in pita bread.

19. Kokoreç

Again, you might not be up for this one, but it’s a very popular street food. It’s made from skewered lamb kebab or goat intestines wrapped around sweetbreads, seasoned with herbs and spices, and then cooked on a charcoal grill.

You’ll see this in all major towns and cities.

20. Şiş Köfte (Meatball Skewers)

Grilled meatballs are made from ground beef mixed with onions, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg yolks, and various seasonings threaded onto skewers for easy grilling.

21. Karışık Izgara (Mixed Grill)

An assortment of different meats, such as chicken shish kebab, Adana kebab, and köfte, are served together on a platter, offering a variety of flavors in one meal.

This is a good option if you want to try different types of grilled meats and are unsure which to choose. However, they tend to be general rather than any of the more ‘specialty’ kebabs.

22. Tavuk Döner (Chicken Kebab)

This one is similar to the traditional doner kebab but made using chicken instead of lamb or beef for a lighter alternative.

23. İskorpit Kebabı

This is a specialty kebab made from whole fish (usually red mullet) marinated in olive oil and lemon juice before being grilled until crispy on the outside yet tender on the inside.

It’s a great alternative type of kebab if you’re not the biggest meat lover.

24. Testi Kebab (Pottery Kebab)

Testi means ‘jug’ in Turkish. Testi Kebab is an Anatolian specialty prepared in a clay pot or jug-shaped cooking utensil, which helps preserve the kebab’s freshness, aroma, and flavors as the ingredients cook slowly in their own juices.

You’ll see this type of kebab in large tourist restaurants, in particular, but it’s very traditional. It’s usually described as a meal for two and served with rice, vegetables, and usually chips, too.

25. İnegöl Köfte

Originating from the town of İnegöl, these juicy meatballs are made from a mixture of ground beef, breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, and spices before being grilled or fried.

There are many different types of köfte, but the main differences are the spices used and the shape.

You’re feeling hungry now.

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The History Of The Turkish Kebab

First things first, let’s go back in time. Turkish kebabs have a long history dating back centuries. They are an integral part of Turkish cuisine and have gained immense popularity worldwide.

The origins of kebabs can be traced back to the nomadic Turkic tribes who roamed Central Asia. These tribes used to cook meat over open fires, skewering it on swords or wooden skewers for easy handling. As these tribes migrated westward, they brought their culinary traditions with them, eventually reaching Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).

In Anatolia, the Turks adapted their cooking techniques to suit the local ingredients and flavors. They began using vertical rotisseries called “ocakbaşı” to simmer meat over charcoal fires.

This method allowed for even cooking and resulted in tender and flavorful meat. You’ll see many ocakbaşı restaurants nowadays, which just means that they cook their meat this way.

One of the most famous types of Turkish kebab is the “döner kebab.” The döner kebab is made by stacking layers of marinated lamb or chicken on a vertical spit, which rotates slowly as it cooks. The outer layer gets crispy while the inner layers remain juicy and succulent.

But countless others are made of different meats, cooked in various ways, and served with other ingredients.

All delicious kebabs are typically served with various accompaniments such as rice pilaf, grilled vegetables like peppers and tomatoes, yogurt, and freshly baked bread. They are often enjoyed with traditional Turkish drinks like ayran (a yogurt-based beverage) or şalgam (fermented turnip juice).

Over time, Turkish kebabs have gained international recognition and become much-loved street food in many countries. Of course, the best thing to do is try them in Turkey.

Where To Find The Best Kebabs

Kebabs are everywhere in Turkey, but they’re not all equal.

For instance, if you’re visiting Istanbul, you’ll probably be tempted to go into a fancy restaurant in Sultanahmet because the man at the door promises you the best food you’ve ever tasted. It’s perhaps not. Touristic restaurants do nice food, that’s for sure, but they’re not the best kebabs. To do that, you need to go somewhere more traditional.

Ask locals you know, or the hotel staff, where they go for their food. They’ll probably tell you they go to a local ocakbaşı restaurant, and that’s usually where you’ll find the best choice and quality.

Also, if you see a restaurant that has a huge menu of many, many kebab types, steer clear. They can’t possibly cook that many kebabs that well. In my experience, sometimes a smaller menu is a better indicator of quality.

Most kebabs in Turkey come from various regions. For instance, the Adana kebab comes from the city of Adana, the Urfa Kebab is from Sanliurfa, and the list goes on. Yet, there are some more general ones that have their roots in specific areas but have expanded to the rest of the country, like the famous döner kebab, which originates from Bursa.

When you get a good kebab, you feel good about life. When you have a bad one, you wish you hadn’t bothered. That’s why it’s a good idea to take the time to choose where you spend your money.

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FAQs About The Different Types Of Kebabs

And there you have it – a journey through the sizzling streets of Turkey, exploring the diverse and utterly mouthwatering world of kebabs. Whether it’s the tantalizing spices of Adana or the succulent layers of döner, each kind of kebab we’ve discussed brings its own unique flavor to the table, literally!

Next time you find yourself wandering in Turkey, remember to indulge in these culinary delights. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.