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Adana Kebabs (Ground Lamb Kebabs)

Grilled lamb seasoned with bright sumac and rich sun-dried pepper flakes.

Imported from seriouseats.comJan 12, 2026added by Rauf T.Is this yours? Claim itRequest removal

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Grilled lamb kebabs on lavash with onions, parsley and tomato slices

One of 2 takes on Adana KebabSee the other take

Prep
⏱️ 10m
Cook
🍳 35m
Total
⏰ 45m
Servings
6

Adana Kebabs · Serious Eats takes 45 min (10 min prep, 35 min cooking) and serves 6.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

✨ Meez Magic · 6 steps → 6 actions

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1

For the Kebabs: Combine ground lamb with 7.5 grams (about 2 teaspoons) kosher salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons sumac, and 1 tablespoon pepper flakes. Knead the mixture by hand or in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until it becomes tacky and starts sticking to the side of the bowl. Add ice-cold water and continue kneading until fully incorporated. Chill the lamb mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator.

2

Meanwhile, combine the remaining teaspoon cumin, 2 teaspoons sumac, remaining tablespoon pepper flakes, and 2 teaspoons salt in a small bowl to create the spice mixture. Set the spice mixture aside. In a separate medium bowl, toss the red onions with the remaining 2 teaspoons sumac and season with salt to taste.

3

Using wet hands, divide the chilled lamb mixture into 12 even balls. Carefully form each ball into a long, flat kebab by shaping it around a skewer, keeping hands damp to prevent sticking.

4

Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and arrange the coals on one side of the charcoal grate. Set the cooking grate in place, cover the grill, and preheat for 5 minutes. Alternatively, for a gas grill, set half the burners to the highest heat setting, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Place kebabs directly over the hot side of the grill, cover, and cook, turning occasionally and sprinkling with the reserved spice mixture until well charred on both sides and cooked through, about 12 minutes total.

5

During the last few minutes of cooking, place lavash or pita bread directly on top of the kebabs in batches, heating the bread through on the grill.

6

Serve the kebabs with warm bread, sumac-seasoned onions, fresh parsley leaves, sliced tomatoes, and pickled sport peppers or pepperoncini.

🎉

You're all done!

Enjoy your adana kebabs (ground lamb kebabs) — and don't forget to share.

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Tips as you cook

  • Gather Kebab IngredientsMise en place makes cooking easier
  • Knead Lamb MixtureKnead until mixture sticks to bowl
  • Make Spice Mix & OnionsTaste onions and adjust salt
  • Shape KebabsKeep hands damp to prevent sticking
  • Prepare the GrillWait for gray ash before cooking
  • Grill the KebabsTurn often for even char
  • Watch out · Warm the BreadWatch closely so bread doesn't burn
  • Gather Serving IngredientsArrange toppings for easy serving

Swaps, storing and making ahead

Good to know

Swaps

No Urfa pepper flakes? Use Aleppo pepper or a mix of mild chile flakes and a pinch of smoked paprika.

Storing it

Store leftover cooked kebabs in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days; reheat in a skillet or oven until steaming hot. Keep bread, onions and tomatoes separate.

Making it ahead

The lamb mixture can be seasoned, kneaded and chilled up to a day ahead, and the sumac onions can be tossed a few hours ahead and kept in the fridge.

Notes by Meez Magic, written for this recipe. Use your judgment.

The story behind itWhat is Adana kebab? Origins, flavor and what to serveAdana kebab is Turkey's famously spicy, juicy lamb kebab, pressed onto wide skewers and grilled over fire. Here is where it comes from, how it varies and what to put on the table with it.

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