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Turkish Halal Dinner Featured

Çökertme Kebabı

Traditional Turkish Çökertme Kebabı recipe featuring marinated beef tenderloin over crispy shoestring fries, garlic yogurt, and butter tomato sauce.

Level Medium Prep 30 min Cook 30 min Servings 4 Score 4.9/10
Ready in
60 min

Makes 4 servings

Prep 30m
Cook 30m
Level Medium

About this recipe

Traditional Turkish Çökertme Kebabı recipe featuring marinated beef tenderloin over crispy shoestring fries, garlic yogurt, and butter tomato sauce.

A classic Bodrum kebab featuring crispy french fries, garlic yogurt, sautéed beef, and tomato sauce.

Ingredients

Meat Marinade

Potato Base

Yogurt Sauce

Tomato Sauce

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls For marinating meat and mixing yogurt
  • Deep frying pan For frying matchstick potatoes
  • Skillet or cast-iron pan For cooking the beef strips
  • Small saucepan For preparing the tomato sauce
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Mandoline slicer Optional, for thin potatoes

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, combine beef strips with olive oil, milk, onion juice, black pepper, and salt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.

    30 min
  2. Peel potatoes and cut them into very thin matchsticks. Soak in cold water for 10 minutes, drain thoroughly, and pat completely dry. Fry in hot vegetable oil until golden and crispy; drain on paper towels and salt lightly.

    15 min
  3. In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Set aside.

    5 min
  4. Melt butter in a small saucepan, add tomato paste and grated tomato. Sauté for a few minutes, stir in water or broth, and simmer until thickened into a sauce.

    10 min
  5. Heat a skillet over high heat. Cook the marinated beef strips quickly until browned and tender.

    10 min
  6. To serve, spread crispy matchstick potatoes on a plate, top with garlic yogurt, layer the hot cooked beef strips over the yogurt, and drizzle with the warm tomato sauce and melted butter.

Nutrition

Calories 620
Protein 34g
Carbs 48g
Fat 32g
Fiber 5g
Sugar 5g
Sodium 590mg
Serving Size 1 serving

Cooking Timeline

Prep 30 min
Cook 30 min
Total 60 min

Recipe Scorecard

Overall 9.4 /10
Expert 4.9 95% conf.
  • Taste 9.9
  • Presentation 9.5
  • Nutrition 7.0
  • Value 9.0
  • Instructions 9.2
  • Ingredients 9.5
  • Time Accuracy 9.0
  • Difficulty 7.0
  • Would Make Again 9.5

Video

Expert Review

Verdict

An extraordinary Turkish delicacy that brilliantly balances crispy potatoes, cool garlic yogurt, and savory tender beef.

Pros

  • Incredible texture contrasts
  • Rich and flavorful
  • Restaurant-quality at home

Cons

  • Requires multiple components
  • Best served immediately

Overview

A classic Bodrum kebab featuring crispy french fries, garlic yogurt, sautéed beef, and tomato sauce.

AI Insights

Summary

Traditional Turkish Çökertme Kebabı recipe featuring marinated beef tenderloin over crispy shoestring fries, garlic yogurt, and butter tomato sauce.

Tips

  • Pat the matchstick potatoes completely dry before frying to ensure maximum crispiness
  • Cook the beef over high heat for a short time to keep it juicy and tender
  • Serve right away before the potatoes lose their crunch

Substitutions

  • Beef tenderloin → chicken breast strips
  • Greek yogurt → labneh cheese

Storage

Best consumed immediately upon assembly. Components can be prepared ahead, but do not assemble until ready to eat.

Pairing

  • Turkish shepherd salad (Çoban salatası)
  • Ayran or chilled carbonated drink

AI Cooking Assistant

Ask about substitutions, timing, or technique for this recipe.

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FAQ

Can I bake the potatoes instead of frying them?
Yes, you can toss the matchstick potatoes with oil and bake them at 200°C (400°F) until crispy, though frying yields the traditional texture.
What cut of beef is best for Çökertme Kebabı?
Beef tenderloin (bonfile) is ideal because it cooks quickly and remains extremely tender.

About the Author

FindEdition Kitchen

Specialty: Turkish cuisine

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