Admit it. We all have that moment of weakness, usually on a Friday night or after a sleepless night, when only one word comes to mind: kebab. But instead of waiting in line under neon lights with suspicious night owls, TikTok offers a solution that has taken the internet by storm - homemade kebab. Prepare your taste buds for a revolution happening in your oven.
If you thought kebab was reserved only for street stalls with those giant, slightly intimidating pillars of meat spinning around, you were wrong. Social media, and TikTok to be exact, has proven once again that we can all be culinary masters if we know the right “hack”. Forget about mystery ingredients and questionable meat. Homemade kebab is the new black – it’s healthier, you know exactly what you’re eating, and most importantly: you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home (and your pajamas).
The recipe that drove the region crazy and was also shared by an influencer on her profile Maja Jalšovec, is so simple you'll wonder why you ever waited in line in the cold. It's a genius meat preparation technique that mimics that thin, juicy texture we all love, but without the need for professional equipment. All you need is an oven, a rolling pin, and a few basic ingredients.
Maja Jalšovec and culinary minimalism
Why did this homemade kebab recipe go viral? Because it shatters the myth that making "fast food" at home is time-consuming and messy. Maja showed us that with the right spices and a simple trick with baking paper, we can create a dish that visually and deliciously rivals the best street food joints.
@maja_jalsovec Kebab from home cooking – recipe by @MezeMike Ingredients 650 g ground beef 1 large red onion – blended salt pepper garlic powder hot ground pepper smoked paprika thyme Bake at 220 degrees for about 20 minutes # recipe #hrana #doner #kebab ♬ original sound – Maja Jalšovec
The point of this kebab is not in marinating the meat for three days, but in the rolling technique. Yes, you read that right. We'll be rolling the meat like cookie dough. It sounds bizarre, but the result is meat that's cooked evenly, thinly, and crispy on the edges. This is the game changer we didn't know we needed.
Ingredients: Shopping list for a gourmet evening – homemade kebab
Don't worry, we're not sending you to specialty stores across town. You probably already have all of this in your fridge or at the nearest store.
For the meat base you need:
- 650 g minced beef (choose quality meat, as this is the star of the evening)
- 1 large red onion (trick: it should be blended into a pulp, not chopped, as we want juices, not chunks)
Spices are key: salt, pepper, garlic powder (lots of it!), ground hot pepper (for that kick), smoked paprika (for an authentic “grill” flavor), and thyme.
- Process: From minced meat to culinary masterpiece
The preparation is so therapeutic that it could be prescribed for stress. Follow these steps and success is guaranteed.
1st Step: Mixing and kneading
Throw the minced meat into a large bowl. Add the blended onion and your entire arsenal of spices. Don’t be shy here – the kebab should be intense! Now roll up your sleeves and get to work. Knead the dough with your hands for a few minutes. Don’t just mix, but really knead it so that the dough becomes compact and sticky. This is the secret to keeping your kebab from falling apart while baking.
2nd Step: The baking paper trick
Prepare two sheets of baking paper. Place the meat mixture on the first sheet, cover it with the second and take a rolling pin. Now roll it! The goal is to get as thin a layer of meat as possible, arranged in a rectangle. The thinner it is, the crispier it will be. Once you are happy with the thickness (and have released some tension with the rolling pin), remove the top paper.
3rd Step: Surprise roll
Using the paper underneath, roll the meat into a tight roll. Imagine rolling a potica, only this one is full of protein. Place the rolls on a baking sheet (along with the paper) and push them into the oven, preheated to 220 degrees Celsius.
4th Step: Baking and finals
Bake for about 20 minutes. When the kitchen is filled with that divine smell of roasting meat and spices, take the baking sheet out of the oven. Carefully unroll the paper. The meat will be compact and cooked. Now you can cut it into thin strips (like in a kebab shop) or simply tear it.
Serving: Create your own “Street of Flavors”
The meat is ready, now comes the fun part. Heat up some flatbreads, tortillas, or pita bread. Don't forget the fresh veggies—cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions are classics, but be bold. Add feta, pomegranate, or avocado if you're feeling fancy.
And of course – sauce. A kebab is not a kebab without a good white sauce (yogurt, garlic, herbs). Add a little more chili if you're brave, and serve immediately.
This homemade kebab is proof that sometimes the best things in life are simple, quick, and made in the home kitchen. Enjoy your meal and don't forget to post the result on Instagram - if you don't eat it too quickly!
