Homemade Aleppo kebab starts with suitable grilling mince and balanced seasoning. Recipes differ, so this simple version focuses on meat, onion and parsley. Firm skewers do not require a paste packed with extra ingredients.
Ingredients
For four portions, prepare 700 g lamb mince or a measured lamb-and-beef blend, one small chopped, drained onion and three tablespoons parsley dried after washing. Add black pepper, salt, a pinch of mixed spices and Aleppo pepper to taste. Prepare sumac onions, bread and tomatoes for serving.
Ask about fat percentage and grind when available. Very lean mince may not perform identically over charcoal and in a pan. Test seasoning on a small cooked piece, never raw mixture.
Shaping
Mix until uniform and cohesive, keeping cold. Shape evenly around suitable skewers and seal the ends. Without appropriate skewers, make fingers for a flat grilling surface or tray rather than unstable kebabs.
Excess onion moisture weakens structure, but draining does not mean drying the whole mixture completely. Add a little and assess. Uniform size prevents thin ends cooking before thick centres.
Grilling and serving
Prepare settled coals and a cooler zone. Let the surface set before the first turn, then rotate gradually. Move away from flare-ups as fat renders. Cook the minced-meat centre to 71°C.
Serve on bread with sumac onions and vegetables, keeping sauce separate to highlight the meat. A Levantine menu can include shawarma too, but total the quantities instead of automatically serving a full main portion of each.
Is Aleppo kebab always spicy?
No. Heat varies by recipe and preference. Start moderately and offer extra pepper separately, especially for guests with differing tastes. Clear flavour does not require intense heat.
Related products from ALRAQI MEATS
Local Naimi Lamb Mince - 1 kg, or Beef Mince - 1 kg. Check the product page for weight, ingredients and cutting options before ordering. Choose a cut suited to the cooking method; a boneless or mixed-meat label alone does not guarantee suitability for quick cooking.
Further guidance
Safe minimum cooking temperatures, Refrigerated food storage.