Iskender kebab is undoubtedly one of the most popular flavors of Turkish cuisine. Even though doner is good in all its forms, iskerder version of it is something else. This kebab, named after its creator Iskender Efendi, is served as doner meat with yoghurt, tomato sauce and melted butter.
The secret of iskender kebab’s taste is hidden in its special sauce. Since I love doner kebab so much, I searched for the real recipe for this special sauce for a while. I tried many different iskender sauce recipes I found on the internet. As a result, I created this recipe after a lot of trial and error.
We will use basic ingredients while preparing iskender sauce. As a matter of fact, recipes made with fewer ingredients are always more delicious. Another good thing about this recipe, apart from its taste, is that it is very practical. For example, tomatoes will not be grated. We will use some delicious tomato paste. Because there is nothing more burdensome to me than grating. This way, we won’t need to strain the sauce as well.
With this recipe, you can prepare the famous iskender sauce at home and bring the taste of restaurants to your kitchen. Iskender sauce can be used not only with doner kebab, but also with grilled meats, meatballs or pasta.
Here is how to make Iskender kebab sauce step by step:
Ingredients
- Tomato paste: Gives the sauce its thick consistency and rich taste.
- Olive oil: To increase the flavor of the sauce.
- Butter: It gives the classic taste and wonderful smell of Iskender sauce. It’s a must.
- Salt: To balance the flavour.
- Black pepper: For the spice balance of the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: To make it a bit spicy, completely optional.
- Sugar: This sauce definitely needs some sweetness.
- Ketchup: To break the acidity of tomatoes with the vinegar in it. A little vinegar can also be used instead.
- Water: To adjust the consistency of the sauce.
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How to Make Iskender Sauce?
1.Step: Put the olive oil in a saucepan and heat it. Add tomato paste. Saute until the raw smell of the tomato paste disappears.
2.Step: Add sugar, salt, black pepper and chili pepper if you like it hot. Continue cooking while stirring.
3.Step: After mixing the spices, add hot water and let the mixture boil. After the sauce starts to boil, cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.
4.Step: Add the butter and stir until melted. Boil for another 1-2 minutes.
5.Step: If the consistency of the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more hot water. Make sure the sauce is not too watery. It should be a thick but fluid sauce.
6.Step: After turning off the heat, add ketchup and mix well.
That’s it. Iskender kebab sauce is ready to serve. Pour the sauce over your lightly fried pitas. After putting the doner kebab, pour it again.
Bon Appetit!
Iskender Sauce
Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 tbsp butter 50-60 g
- 4 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp chili pepper flakes (optional)
- 2+½ cup hot water Approx. 500 ml. But add it by paying attention to the consistency.
- 2 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- Put the olive oil in a saucepan and heat it. Add tomato paste. Saute until the raw smell of the tomato paste disappears.
- Add sugar, salt, black pepper and chili pepper if you like it hot. Continue cooking while stirring.
- After mixing the spices, add hot water and let the mixture boil. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.
- Add the butter and stir until melted. Boil for another 1-2 minutes.
- If the consistency of the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more hot water.
- Turn off the heat, add ketchup and mix well.
- Serve it hot.