# Spicy Beef Kebabs with Yoghurt Dressing These homemade spicy beef kebabs are a satisfying family dinner made with lean beef mince, warming spices and a refreshing garlic yoghurt dressing. Serve them in wholemeal pitta breads with crisp lettuce, tomatoes and red onion for an easy takeaway-inspired meal using familiar UK supermarket ingredients. The kebabs are baked in the oven rather than deep-fried, and you can adjust the spices and toppings to suit your household. They also make a practical option for a weekend meal or a simple midweek dinner. ## Recipe Details - **Servings:** 4 - **Preparation time:** 15 minutes - **Cooking time:** Approximately 35 minutes - **Total time:** Approximately 50 minutes - **Cooking method:** Oven-baked ## Ingredients ### For the beef kebabs - 1 tbsp olive oil, or a little cooking spray - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 3 garlic cloves, crushed - 500g lean beef mince (around 5–10% fat) - ½ tsp ground ginger - 1 tsp ground cumin - ¼ tsp ground coriander - ¼ tsp ground cinnamon - 1 tsp smoked paprika - 1 medium egg, lightly beaten - 1 tbsp dried oregano or mixed herbs - Freshly ground black pepper - A small pinch of salt, to taste ### For the garlic yoghurt dressing - 200g plain Greek yoghurt - 1 small garlic clove, crushed - 1 tbsp lemon juice - ¼ tsp dried mint - Freshly ground black pepper - A small pinch of salt, to taste ### To serve - 4 wholemeal pitta breads - Shredded lettuce - 1 red onion, thinly sliced - 2 tomatoes, sliced - Cucumber slices, optional - Fresh parsley or mint, optional ## How to Make Spicy Beef Kebabs ### 1. Prepare the onion and garlic Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. ### 2. Mix the kebab ingredients Place the beef mince in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked onion and garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, beaten egg, dried herbs and seasoning. Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined, without overworking the mince. ### 3. Shape and bake Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a long, even kebab. Arrange them on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through. The kebabs should be thoroughly cooked, with no pink meat remaining. If using a food thermometer, check that the centre reaches at least 75°C. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the kebabs and your oven. ### 4. Make the yoghurt dressing While the kebabs cook, combine the Greek yoghurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice and dried mint in a small bowl. Season lightly and stir until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. ### 5. Assemble and serve Warm the pitta breads according to the packet instructions. Fill each with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber, if using. Add a cooked beef kebab, spoon over the garlic yoghurt dressing and finish with fresh herbs, if desired. ## Tips and Easy Swaps - **Adjust the heat:** Add a small pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes for a spicier kebab. - **Try another mince:** Lean turkey or chicken mince can be used instead of beef. Always cook poultry mince thoroughly. - **Make it more economical:** Compare the unit price of mince packs and use any leftover vegetables as toppings. - **Serve without pitta:** Enjoy the kebabs with a baked potato, rice or a generous side salad instead. - **Prepare ahead:** Mix and shape the kebabs in advance, cover and refrigerate until ready to cook, following the storage guidance on your mince packaging. ## Storage and Reheating Cool any leftover cooked kebabs promptly, cover and refrigerate within two hours. Eat within 48 hours or freeze promptly. Reheat until steaming hot throughout, and only reheat once. Keep the yoghurt dressing refrigerated separately and add it after reheating the kebabs. ## A Budget-Friendly Family Dinner These spicy beef kebabs are a homemade alternative to a takeaway-style dinner. Lean mince, dried spices, yoghurt and fresh vegetables make a flexible combination that can be adapted to your family's preferences and shopping budget. For more everyday meal inspiration, explore our [Budget Family Meals UK guide](https://www.mynrecipes.com/budget-family-meals-uk/) and [Healthy High-Protein & Fibre-Rich Recipes collection](https://www.mynrecipes.com/healthy-high-protein-fibre-rich-recipes/). **Allergen note:** Contains egg, milk and wheat when served with standard pitta bread. Check individual ingredient packaging, particularly when making substitutions.

Spicy Beef Kebabs with Yogurt Dressing

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These homemade spicy beef kebabs are a satisfying family dinner made with lean beef mince, warming spices and a refreshing garlic yoghurt dressing. Serve them in wholemeal pitta breads with crisp lettuce, tomatoes and red onion for an easy takeaway-inspired meal using familiar UK supermarket ingredients.

The kebabs are baked in the oven rather than deep-fried, and you can adjust the spices and toppings to suit your household. They also make a practical option for a weekend meal or a simple midweek dinner.

Recipe Details

  • Servings: 4
  • Preparation time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking time: Approximately 35 minutes
  • Total time: Approximately 50 minutes
  • Cooking method: Oven-baked

Ingredients

For the beef kebabs

  • 1 tbsp olive oil, or a little cooking spray
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 500g lean beef mince (around 5–10% fat)
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp ground coriander
  • ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 medium egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano or mixed herbs
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • A small pinch of salt, to taste

For the garlic yoghurt dressing

  • 200g plain Greek yoghurt
  • 1 small garlic clove, crushed
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp dried mint
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • A small pinch of salt, to taste

To serve

  • 4 wholemeal pitta breads
  • Shredded lettuce
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tomatoes, sliced
  • Cucumber slices, optional
  • Fresh parsley or mint, optional

How to Make Spicy Beef Kebabs

1. Prepare the onion and garlic

Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Line a baking tray with baking parchment.

Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.

2. Mix the kebab ingredients

Place the beef mince in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooked onion and garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, smoked paprika, beaten egg, dried herbs and seasoning.

Mix until the ingredients are evenly combined, without overworking the mince.

3. Shape and bake

Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into a long, even kebab. Arrange them on the prepared baking tray, leaving a little space between each one.

Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, turning halfway through. The kebabs should be thoroughly cooked, with no pink meat remaining. If using a food thermometer, check that the centre reaches at least 75°C.

Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the kebabs and your oven.

4. Make the yoghurt dressing

While the kebabs cook, combine the Greek yoghurt, crushed garlic, lemon juice and dried mint in a small bowl. Season lightly and stir until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

5. Assemble and serve

Warm the pitta breads according to the packet instructions. Fill each with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion and cucumber, if using.

Add a cooked beef kebab, spoon over the garlic yoghurt dressing and finish with fresh herbs, if desired.

Tips and Easy Swaps

  • Adjust the heat: Add a small pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes for a spicier kebab.
  • Try another mince: Lean turkey or chicken mince can be used instead of beef. Always cook poultry mince thoroughly.
  • Make it more economical: Compare the unit price of mince packs and use any leftover vegetables as toppings.
  • Serve without pitta: Enjoy the kebabs with a baked potato, rice or a generous side salad instead.
  • Prepare ahead: Mix and shape the kebabs in advance, cover and refrigerate until ready to cook, following the storage guidance on your mince packaging.

Storage and Reheating

Cool any leftover cooked kebabs promptly, cover and refrigerate within two hours. Eat within 48 hours or freeze promptly. Reheat until steaming hot throughout, and only reheat once.

Keep the yoghurt dressing refrigerated separately and add it after reheating the kebabs.

A Budget-Friendly Family Dinner

These spicy beef kebabs are a homemade alternative to a takeaway-style dinner. Lean mince, dried spices, yoghurt and fresh vegetables make a flexible combination that can be adapted to your family’s preferences and shopping budget.

For more everyday meal inspiration, explore our Budget Family Meals UK guide and Healthy High-Protein & Fibre-Rich Recipes collection.

Allergen note: Contains egg, milk and wheat when served with standard pitta bread. Check individual ingredient packaging, particularly when making substitutions.

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