Kebab refers to various types of meat that is prepared on the skewer and then roasted. The word kebab itself means "to roast the meat". Various types of meat mean either unprocessed meat (as sliced, chopped up into cubes or larger pieces) or the meat patties, ground meat with spices which is prepared in various shapes.
Almost every country has its own version of kebab, with different names, and different side dishes. But, there are some more universal types of kebabs that are popular all over the world.
It is believed that kebab origins are related to Turkish soldiers who hunted the animals, and then put their fresh meat on their swords, and grilled them on the open fire.
In fact, the popular version of kebab "shish kebab" actually means sword meat (shish being the sword and kebab being the meat). When it comes to the name, it was discovered in 1377, in the script called "Kyssa-i Yusuf". On the other hand, some claim that Persia (Iran) is kebab's place of origin.
The original kebab is prepared with lamb meat. But today, we have kebabs from beef, chicken, and pork.
The kind of meat that is used in the recipe depends on the geographical areas, religions, and cuisines around the world.
In the United States, kebab consists of meat pieces stacked on the skewer with vegetables (or even fruits) between them.
European people enjoy a little different version of the dish. They like pieces of meat that are scraped from the skewer and enriched with potatoes and other vegetables served in a thin dough. However, there are so many types of kebab that the whole book can be written about it. In case you didn't know, almost every Middle Eastern and Asian country prepare kebab differently.
Kebab and gyros
Both of the delicious meat dishes have roots in the Eastern Mediterranean. Gyros actually originated from Turkish kebab. Even though the dishes are similar, there are still some differences. Gyros and kebab are arranged differently and enhanced with different side dishes.
Gyros are usually made from pork or chicken (or the combination), but there are versions with beef, veal, mutton, or lamb. It is made on the vertical rotisserie.
In Greece, it is served in a wrapper or in a pita. The common ingredients served with gyros are onions, green salad, tomatoes, french fries, and tzatziki sauce. The tzatziki sauce is a very delicious, creamy, and healthy greek yogurt sauce. The sauce is made with the greek yogurt, drained cucumber, garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. It is a common addition in gyros or kebab.
Actually, gyros is more similar to the one, out of many types of kebab - döner kebab. Since kebab refers to any meat roasted on the skewer or the rotisserie, gyros is similar to only one version. It is likely that döner kebab arrived in Greece in the 1920s and then transformed into gyros.
The vertical electric skewer - revolution in kebab preparation
When the vertical electric skewer showed up, that was a true revolution in kebab preparation. Before that, people used a typical, traditional way of preparing kebab by using a barbecue. The vertical electric skewers brought some advantages.
The meat is roasted slowly while it is rotating on these devices. Another improvement is the heat which is placed on the side of the skewer.
When the meat is roasted, then it is cut vertically, layer by layer. It allows the meat to cook slowly, as the layers are taken off, one by one. Then the cut meat is weighed and sold as kebab or gyros in the bread, or flatbread.
Shish kebab and döner kebab
The two most popular types of kebab are döner and shish kebab.
Döner kebab is prepared on the vertical rotisserie. The meat is seasoned and stacked on the rotisserie in the shape of an inverted cone.
The source of heat is placed on the one side, and while the meat is rotating, it is slowly roasted. Döner is served in a pita, bread, sandwich, or flatbread like dürüm (a wrap).
The expression döner kebab means "rotating kebab", meaning the meat is grilled or roasted on the rotating, vertical spit. It is sliced and then served as pieces of meat. It is believed that in 1972 a Turkish-German restaurateur Kadir Nurman was the one who actually invented the döner kebab we know today (or in German "der Döner").
In Turkey, there are many variations of the döner kebab. Those are Iskender (with pepper, tomato juice, and boiling butter), Pilavüstü (served with pilaf), Porsiyon (on a plate with tomatoes or peppers on the side), Dürüm (served in a wrap, rolled and sometimes grilled after that), Ekmekarası (in between bread), etc.
On the other hand, shish kebab is made by grilling cubes of meat on the skewer then on the grill. Traditionally, it is made with lamb meat, but there are shish kebabs with chicken, beef, pork, and fish. In Turkey, the vegetables and meat are not mixed on one skewer, so they are cooked separately.
Whereas in the United States, the meat is often mixed with vegetables, and cooked together. In Greek cuisine, there is a similar dish called souvlaki. And it consists of small pieces of meat grilled on the skewer. It is served hot and often eaten from the skewer.
Turkish kebabs
Since Turkey is the place of origin for this dish, it is only natural that they have multiple versions of it. And they do. Besides the popular shish kebab (sword/skewer kebab) and döner kebab (rotating kebab), there are many others.
- Arbor kebab (Çardak kebabı) - lamb meat in a crepe thin pancake
- Kuzu shish kebab - shish kebab with lamb that is marinated in milk
- Shish köfte - lamb meatballs made with minced lamb and spices and then grilled on a stick
- Aubergine kebab (Patlıcan kebabı) - marinated meat served with eggplant, bread, and yogurt
- Ramadan kebab (Ramazan kebabı) - meat is mixed with tomato and yogurt and served on bread
- Adana kebap - hand-minced lamb meat, red pepper, and salt which is grilled over charcoal on the skewer
- Beyti kebap - ground meat (beef or lamb) grilled on the skewer, served in the flatbread with yogurt and tomato sauce
- Buğu kebabı - the stew which is prepared in a pan or casserole dish. Made with lamb meat, onions, garlic, and other spices
- Spoke Kebab (Cağ kebap) - it is made by combining the skewer and a rotating spit. First, the lamb meat is roasted on the rotating spit and then moved to the skewer.
- Tavuk şiş - pieces of chicken meat are grilled on the stick after they are marinated in yogurt
- Kağıt kebabı - it is lamb meat served in the paper wrapping.

Kebab is a perfect choice for meat lovers since kebab basically means one or more types of meat skewered on a spit and roasted. In various parts of the world, kebab is prepared differently. But, when it comes to English-speaking countries, they make kebabs by putting small cubes of meat on the skewers. Often, there are a couple of types of meat alongside seafood and various vegetables. So, in my recipe, I stick to this method of preparing the kebab. This recipe has everything it takes for a delicious dish - chicken meat, shrimp, onion, and bell peppers, all together juiced up with dry herbs and barbecue sauce.
Pre-heat the grill over high heat (to prepare it for the kebabs).
1. Firstly, cut the chicken into cubes
2. Secondly, take a skillet and then cook the chicken in it over medium heat. Turn and brush it with barbecue sauce frequently. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes until the chicken juices run clear (but not entirely)
Put the chicken with the shrimp, green bell pepper, onion, and the red bell pepper pieces on the skewers.
1. Lightly oil the grill grate
2. Then, place kebabs on the prepared grill
3. Brush them with the barbecue sauce and sprinkle the dry herbs over it
4. Then cook until the shrimp are done - for about six minutes. And the kebabs are ready to go!
Serve the chicken and shrimp kebabs with salad and grilled veggies!
Enjoy it with the tasty raspberry lemonade.
Ingredients
Directions
Kebab is a perfect choice for meat lovers since kebab basically means one or more types of meat skewered on a spit and roasted. In various parts of the world, kebab is prepared differently. But, when it comes to English-speaking countries, they make kebabs by putting small cubes of meat on the skewers. Often, there are a couple of types of meat alongside seafood and various vegetables. So, in my recipe, I stick to this method of preparing the kebab. This recipe has everything it takes for a delicious dish - chicken meat, shrimp, onion, and bell peppers, all together juiced up with dry herbs and barbecue sauce.
Pre-heat the grill over high heat (to prepare it for the kebabs).
1. Firstly, cut the chicken into cubes
2. Secondly, take a skillet and then cook the chicken in it over medium heat. Turn and brush it with barbecue sauce frequently. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes until the chicken juices run clear (but not entirely)
Put the chicken with the shrimp, green bell pepper, onion, and the red bell pepper pieces on the skewers.
1. Lightly oil the grill grate
2. Then, place kebabs on the prepared grill
3. Brush them with the barbecue sauce and sprinkle the dry herbs over it
4. Then cook until the shrimp are done - for about six minutes. And the kebabs are ready to go!
Serve the chicken and shrimp kebabs with salad and grilled veggies!
Enjoy it with the tasty raspberry lemonade.