Sylheti Doner Kebab

Sylheti doner kebab is a tantalizing dish influenced by Turkish doner kebab but infused with Sylheti flavors, including hatxora. It has gained immense popularity in Sylhet as a street food, as well as in the Whitechapel area of London. This fusion dish combines marinated meat, Sylheti spices, and cooking techniques to create a delectable treat. This style of doner kebab is a good choice for those seeking a flavorful street food experience.

Medium
🍛 South asian

Total Time

About 2 hours

Servings

4

Ingredients
Everything you'll need to make this recipe
1

500 g boneless meat (chicken, lamb, or beef), thinly sliced

2

2 tablespoons yogurt

3

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4

2 cloves garlic, minced

5

1 small onion, finely chopped

6

1 teaspoon hatxora

7

1 teaspoon ground cumin

8

1 teaspoon ground coriander

9

1 teaspoon ground paprika

10

Salt to taste

11

Black pepper to taste

12

4 pita bread or flatbreads

13

Sliced vegetables (e.g. lettuce, tomatoes, onions) for serving

14

Garlic, tomato, and naga sauce (extremely spicy)

Instructions
Step-by-step guide to making this recipe
1

In a bowl, combine yogurt, vegetable oil, minced garlic, chopped onion, shatkora, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.

2

Add the thinly sliced meat to the marinade, ensuring it's coated thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavours to meld.

1 hour

3

Preheat your grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat.

4

Thread the marinated meat onto skewers, creating kebabs.

5

Grill the kebabs for about 10–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and has a nicely charred exterior.

10–15 minutes

6

While the kebabs are cooking, warm the pita bread or flatbreads on the grill.

7

Once the kebabs are done, remove them from the skewers.

8

Serve the kebab by placing slices of grilled meat into warmed pita bread or flatbreads. Add sliced vegetables and drizzle with tahini sauce or yogurt-based sauce.

9

Roll up the bread to encase the filling, and enjoy your sylheti doner kebab!

Notes
  • Serve the kebabs with a side salad or pickles for added flavour.
  • Adjust the level of Naga chilli paste to suit your spice preference.
  • You can also add other Sylheti spices and herbs for additional flavour.
  • For a vegetarian version, you can use marinated and grilled tofu or vegetables as a meat substitute.
  • Naga chilli is known for its extreme spiciness. Use caution when adding Naga chilli paste, and adjust the quantity to suit your spice tolerance. Wash hands thoroughly.
  • If you wish to include hatxora for a sour twist, slice it thinly and add it as a garnish. It adds a tangy and sour flavour to the kebab. You can find it in specialty stores or online (mostly branded as shatkora).