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Making a Homemade Doner Kebab is really throwing it back here for those of you who might have LIVED by the king of late-night takeaways. And even if you didn’t, you’re going to love this one for a cheeky weekend fakeaway that manages to be simple, low cost and healthy.
After a lot of testing and tasting, it turns out that yes, a Homemade Doner Kebab can be easy AND healthy, made in a slow cooker!
Whether you’re serving this for a crowd to pile in their own fillings or a family Friday takeaway, I hope you love it as much as we do.
Why you’ll love this Doner Kebab recipe
⭐️ Feels like a big treat
⭐️ Low cost and full of flavour
⭐️ Ideal for serving to guests
Sarah’s notes
The doner kebab originated in Turkey centuries ago, and it’s thought it arrived in London in its current form (meat and veg inside bread) around the 1960s.
I love this Guardian report which talks about the origins of the humble doner, and how it’s so much more than just a post-pub indulgence.
This is my simple, homemade version with inspiration taken from the one we know and hold dear. I’ve kept it as family friendly as possible with budget, nutrition and convenience in mind.
You can also make this in the oven and details are in the FAQs below.
Homemade Doner Kebab Ingredients
- Lean mince – You can use beef or lamb here. Whichever is your preference. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince
- Onion powder – Or onion granules
- Garlic granules – Or garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Dried oregano
- Garlic – We cleverly roast off a whole bulb here to make the classic garlic sauce but even better!
For the sauce: - Mayo – Use whichever type you prefer
- Greek yoghurt – You can use natural yoghurt here but the sauce will be slightly more runny (which is fine)
- Mint sauce – The vinegary type, not mint jelly
How to make a Homemade Doner Kebab (SLOW COOKER METHOD)
1. Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.
2. Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape.
3. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure. Prick the foil. Place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
4. Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil. Place alongside the meat parcel in the slow cooker.
5. Cook as per the recipe. When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices from the bottom of the slow cooker to serve (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).
6. Make the garlic sauce by squeezing the cooked very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the other sauce ingredients and mix well.
Substitutions
- Mince – I used beef but you could use lamb if you prefer. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince
Leftovers
In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in a hot pan with a little oil before serving.
In the freezer This freezes fairly well, Just wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob.
The meat slices do tend to break up a little when reheated but if this doesn’t bother you, go for it.
Top Tips
Meat temperature
It’s really hard to tell if the meat is cooked through as you won’t be looking at the inside(!), so for this recipe I would recommend checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
I find this one to be a good option. There are cheaper ones out there but this one tends to be really reliable. It should be 70℃ (160F) for 2 minutes.
How to slice the meat
It’s important to allow the block of meat to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing it or it will fall apart when it’s cut (although it doesn’t matter so much if you’re hungry and don’t mind it crumbling!)
You can reheat the slices of meat afterwards if you want it to be super hot. To do this, put the cooking liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker in a frying pan for 5 minutes or until it’s fully reheated.
More slow cooker beef recipes…
Beef
Beef Goulash
Slow Cooker Beef
Slow Cooker Beef Stew {with Rich Gravy}
Slow Cooker Beef
Chinese Style Beef and Broccoli {Slow Cooker Fakeaways}
FAQs
Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.
Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).
Homemade Doner Kebab {Slow Cooker Recipe}
Ingredients
- 750 g Lean mince
- 3 tsp Onion granules
- 3 tsp Garlic granules
- 3 tsp Ground cumin
- 3 tsp Paprika
- 2 tsp Dried oregano
- 1 tsp Sea alt
- 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Bulb of garlic
For the sauce:
- 75 g Mayo
- 100 g Greek yoghurt
- 2 tsp Mint sauce
Instructions
- Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.
- Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure.
- Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil.
To cook in the Slow Cooker:
- Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
- Cook for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 5-6 on LOW or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).
To cook in the Air Fryer:
- Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the air fryer. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
- Cook for 30 minutes at 170℃.
- Remove the garlic bulb from the air fryer and set aside to cool. Open up the foil top of the kebab meat to allow the top to brown. (Do this carefully so that the cooking juices don't run out of the bottom of the foil.)
- Cook the meat for a further 15 minutes at 170℃ or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).
To Serve:
- Let the meat sit to cool for 15-30 minutes (save the juices at the bottom of the slow cooker or foil if cooked in the air fryer).
- When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).
- Make the garlic sauce by squeeze the cooked, very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the mayo, yoghurt and mint sauce, mix well. Add a splash of water if you'd like it to be more runny.
- Serve the meat as it is with the usual kebab accompaniments and the garlic sauce, OR reheat the meat, with the cooking liquid in a frying pan for a few minutes until hot through (see notes).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
For those of us on the other side of the pond who can’t easily find mint sauce, is there a good substitute?
Haven’t made it yet. Drooling already. Just one question. You talk about a Meat thermometer, but don’t mention what the temperature of the meat should be?
What temperature should the meat be cooked to if using a meat thermometer?
Do you poke holes in the tin foil, can’t see any mention to do that in the instructions but it looks like there are holes in the pictures.
Really delicious- a friend made it for us. In one of the pictures it looks like you are piercing foil with the tip of a knife – am I seeing it right?
Thanks Annette
THIS RECIPE IS AMAZING! For sure – for certain – a keeper!!!! I used half ground turkey / half ground beef. I made the meat brick the night before, and in the morning took it out of the fridge and popped it into the slow cooker. When the slow/6 hours cook time was finished, I didn’t have any liquid in the pot, so I added a splash of broth to the slow cooker (while it was on warm). I also didn’t need to let it rest before slicing – so my slices were a little thicker, but I varied the cuts (to avoid meatloaf-like slices). The spice mix is perfect, my husband said it tasted just like gyros from our favorite Mediterranean restaurant! The garlic didn’t turn out for me, but the Trader Joe’s garlic spread dip (refrigerated) was perfect along with some store-bought hummus. I make a quick and easy yogurt sauce with Greek yogurt, thinly sliced cucumber, and an acid (lemon juice or red wine vinegar), S&P. Paired with a veggie-heavy salad this meal is AWESOME! Next time I’ll triple the recipe and make a few bricks to freeze for an even easier weeknight dinner.
It’s basically Meatloaf with Spices…Crock of S#’t!
Wow Ian. So kind of you to leave such a helpful and considered message.
Can you make this without a slow cooker? Maybe in the oven or airfryer?
The instructions are in the post that you scrolled past.
Made this and was very excited after reading all the good reviews. However I was very underwhelmed – really wasn’t as good as I expected. The garlic dip is very delicious though, I will make that again
Amazing recipe – (followed the recipe exactly) – big success with the family, will definitely be making it again .
Lots of flavour , some of the adults said it was better than the ones they have had from the takeaway shop !
SO GOOD! next time I will use mince with a higher fat content as mine was to lean it ended up on the dryer side. But that sauce made it delish anyway!
Made this in the oven cooking on 160 C for 80 mins and turned out perfect (kept checking to ensure it wasn’t under or over cooking) the yoghurt mint & mayo sauce is also very good
A bit dry with beef, looking forward to trying it with lamb next time. Really authentic taste though, and the garlic sauce and all the trimmings really make it. My tip: Day 2 the kebab is firmer, easier to slice thinly, and a quick fry in the juices adds moisture. By Day 3 it’s even better and the closest to a true kebab experience.