Erzurum Cağ Kebab Skewers with Sumac Onion Salad
A flavorful and tender Turkish delicacy, Erzurum Cağ Kebab features thinly sliced lamb marinated and then cooked on a horizontal rotating spit. This adapted version uses skewers for home cooking, allowing the lamb to develop a delicious char and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Served with a refreshing sumac and onion salad, it's a perfect balance of savory and tart.
Prep Time
180 min
Difficulty
Easy
Servings
4
Calories
450 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Thinly slice the lamb shoulder against the grain. Marinate the lamb in a mixture of plain yogurt, 1 minced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, black pepper, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
~15 min - 2
Thread the marinated lamb onto skewers, folding the slices to create a thicker piece. Aim for about 4-5 layers of lamb per skewer.
~20 min - 3
Prepare the sumac onion salad: thinly slice the remaining 1 onion and chop the fresh parsley. In a medium bowl, combine the sliced onion and parsley. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sumac, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.
~10 min - 4
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using a stovetop grill pan, heat it over medium-high heat with a little oil.
~5 min - 5
Grill the lamb skewers for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the lamb is cooked through and has a nice char. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the lamb and the heat of your grill.
~12 min - 6
Rest the cooked skewers for 5 minutes before serving.
~5 min - 7
Serve the Erzurum Cağ Kebab skewers hot, alongside the sumac onion salad. You can wrap them in lavash bread if desired.
Tips
- For the most authentic flavor, ensure your lamb is sliced as thinly as possible. If it's difficult to slice thinly, you can partially freeze the lamb for about 30 minutes before slicing.
- If you don't have a grill, you can cook these skewers under a broiler, turning them frequently, or in a very hot cast-iron skillet.
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