All Taming Twins Recipes https://www.tamingtwins.com/category/recipes/ Recipes and Meal Planning for Busy Families Tue, 27 May 2025 10:30:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Orzo Pasta Salad {15 Minute Meal} https://www.tamingtwins.com/orzo-pasta-salad/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/orzo-pasta-salad/#comments Fri, 11 Aug 2023 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=21682

This Orzo Pasta Salad is such a deliciously fresh and summery dish that’s perfect for a hearty lunch or quick…

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This Orzo Pasta Salad is such a deliciously fresh and summery dish that’s perfect for a hearty lunch or quick dinner. In just 15 minutes you have a bowlful of crunch and flavour, loads of nutrition and light Mediterranean vibes.

A big bowl filled with finely sliced ingredients that make up an Orzo Pasta Salad.

I wanted to add another simple classic to my pasta salad collection, because they are FANTASTIC when we need a quick meal, so having a few variations up our sleeve keeps life interesting. 

This Orzo Pasta Salad is along the same lines as my Classic Tuna Pasta Salad, Pasta Pesto Salad and Chicken Pasta Pesto… meaning LOADS of flavour but quick and easy to make. A bit of chopping, a quick boil of pasta and a bit of dressing. Done.

You can enjoy it hot or cold, for lunch, a picnic, a side dish to a bigger meal or a quick dinner, and it’s also budget friendly and healthy, making it a perfect vegetarian family meal.


Why you’ll love this Orzo Pasta Salad recipe

⭐ Great for leftovers

⭐ Quick and easy – ready in under 15 minutes

⭐ Fresh, delicious and nutritious


A big bowl filled with finely sliced ingredients that make up an Orzo Pasta Salad.

Sarah’s notes

I used orzo in this recipe because I wanted something a bit different this time from the usual pasta salad dishes. If you haven’t come across or cooked with orzo before – I urge you to give it a go

I have started to introduce more recipes with orzo recently (such as my Orzo Bolognese and Butternut Squash & Halloumi Orzo Bake) because it offers something different. 

It’s shaped a bit like rice but has more of a pasta texture, it holds its shape and it also works really well in hot and cold dishes, like this salad that’s filled with other finely-diced ingredients. It’s always nice to have another string to our bow! 

What’s also great is that, while I’ve made this a sort of Greek-style Orzo Pasta with chickpeas, red onion, olives and feta, you can really customise this to your own tastes and what you have in the fridge.


Orzo Pasta Salad Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for the recipe Orzo Pasta Salad laid out on a counter. Onion, feta, orzo, tomatoes, chickpeas, cucumber, mind and dressing.
  • Orzo – If you’d like to stick to regular pasta, go for what you have. You could also use fresh pasta or wholemeal pasta instead to increase the fibre content
  • Salad – Cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives (optional), mint and chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
  • For the dressing – Olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Alternatively, you could try a Tzatziki sauce instead
  • Feta – This gives a lot of flavour which complements the lightness of the salad

How to make Orzo Pasta Salad

Lots of ingredients for Orzo Pasta Salad in a bowl, ready to be mixed.

1. Boil your orzo according to the pack instructions. Meanwhile chop the salad ingredients.

Two spoons mixing up all of the ingredients for Orzo Pasta Salad.

2. When cooked, drain the orzo and rinse in cold water. Mix everything together and add the oil, vinegar and seasoning.


Substitutions

  • Salad mix – I’ve added chickpeas for protein and cucumber, tomatoes and mint for that ultra fresh flavour, but you can add whatever you like. Sweetcorn, radish, peppers… you name it, give it a go!

Leftovers

In the fridge This is perfect for cold leftovers. It travels well so is also fantastic for picnics or packed lunches too.

If you are planning to store this, you can keep the dressing separate and then mix it just before serving. It will stay fresher/crispier this way. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.

In the freezer  I wouldn’t recommend freezing this recipe.

What to serve With this

This is a full meal on its own, but if you want to you could double carb with dough balls or garlic bread to make your dish go further, or additional protein like cooked chicken.

Other quick pasta recipes…

FAQs

Is Orzo Pasta Salad healthy?

This salad is packed with vegetables and chickpeas for protein and fibre. It’s a filling and nutritious meal that’s got plenty of goodness.

Is it OK to have this dish warm?

Yes! Just omit the step where you run the pasta under cold water and mix the pasta straight in with the other ingredients after you’ve drained it. It’s delicious either way.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

A mixture of orzo pasta and salad ingredients for the recipe Orzo Pasta Salad. Including chickpeas, cheese, cucumber, onion and mint.
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Orzo Pasta Salad {15 Minute Meal}

This fresh, flavour-packed and healthy Orzo Pasta Salad is ready in 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick midweek dinner, a hearty lunch or a picnic addition. It’s also summery with a Mediterranean vibe.
Course Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine Family Food, Mediterranean
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 709kcal

Ingredients

  • 300 g Orzo
  • 1/2 Cucumber Cut into 1cm cubes
  • 200 g Cherry tomatoes Cut into 1cm cubes
  • 200 g Feta Cut into 1cm cubes
  • 30 g Mint Finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 4 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
  • 1 Red onion Peeled and chopped into 1cm pieces
  • 80 g Black olives Pitted and cut into 1cm cubes
  • 400 g Chickpeas 1x tin drained and rinsed
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Boil your orzo for about 5 minutes or according to the pack instructions.
  • Meanwhile, chop all of your fresh ingredients.
  • Once the orzo is cooked, drain and rinse it in very cold water.
  • Mix the orzo with the vegetables, add the vinegar and oil and mix well.

Notes

Orzo: Use alternative pasta shape if you prefer, but orzo does work brilliantly here
Chopping: Try to chop all of the vegetables and cheese to a similar size
To enjoy warm: Just omit the step where you run the pasta under cold water and mix the pasta straight in with the other ingredients after you’ve drained it. It’s delicious either way
Serving suggestions: This is a full meal on its own, but if you want to you could double carb with dough balls or garlic bread to make your dish go further, or additional protein like cooked chicken
To store: This is perfect for cold leftovers. It travels well so is also fantastic for picnics or packed lunches too. You can keep the dressing separate and then mix it just before serving. It will stay fresher/crispier this way. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days
Salad mix: I’ve added chickpeas for protein and cucumber, tomatoes and mint for that ultra fresh flavour, but you can add whatever you like. Sweetcorn, radish, peppers… you name it, give it a go!

Nutrition

Calories: 709kcal | Carbohydrates: 95g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 907mg | Potassium: 758mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 907IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 361mg | Iron: 5mg

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Halloumi Wraps {with Sticky Sauce} https://www.tamingtwins.com/halloumi-wraps/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/halloumi-wraps/#comments Tue, 16 Jan 2024 10:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=25632

These quick and easy Halloumi Wraps are a fantastic meal for lunch or dinner – and you can whip them…

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These quick and easy Halloumi Wraps are a fantastic meal for lunch or dinner – and you can whip them up in about 10 minutes. With a sweet sticky sauce and customisable fillings, they are great value and delicious.

A bird's eye view of halloumi wraps with bowls of salad fillings, including tomatoes, onion and cucumber.

You can’t beat a dinner that is quick, easy, budget-friendly and pleases everyone. 

These Halloumi Wraps are ready in about 10 minutes, with a sweet sticky sauce that makes them feel a little special. Perfect for a full dinner or speedy lunch. 

I hope you love them as much as we do!


Why you’ll love this Halloumi Wrap recipe

⭐ Great for lunch or dinner

⭐ Simple but delicious vegetarian recipe

⭐ Low effort and ready in less than 15 minutes


A board with halloumi wraps in progress, with two wraps made up, one open and salad around the edges.

Sarah’s Notes

I love love LOVE halloumi recipes, especially our Halloumi Kebabs, but I wanted to make a portable version for days when we need to eat on the go or don’t feel like heating up the grill pan or barbecue.

We tested this until we got the right ratios for the sticky sauce and the perfect fillings. Rest assured they’re all basic ingredients and you can tailor a lot of it to what you like or have in the fridge.


Halloumi Wraps Ingredients nOTES

The ingredients for Halloumi Wraps laid out on a counter top in individual bowls.
  • Halloumi – You’ll need 2 packs for 4 people. You can slice up a block or buy it pre-sliced. If you’d prefer it to be softer rather than squeaky, try soaking it in boiling water for 10 mins before frying!

For the homemade sticky sauce:

  • Honey, sweet chilli sauce and ketchup – These regular store cupboard ingredients are a dream team for flavour and consistency

To serve:

  • You can use whatever fillings you fancy. I like to add the halloumi, little gem lettuces, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hummus and lime into small tortilla wraps

How to make Halloumi wraps

A small bowl of red sweet chilli dressing with a spoon sticking out of it for step 1 in the recipe for Halloumi Wraps.

1. Mix your sticky sauce ingredients in a small bowl until combined.

Slices of halloumi in a frying pan, being fried in red sweet chilli sticky sauce, for the recipe Halloumi Wraps.

2. Add the halloumi slices to hot oil in the pan and fry as per the recipe below. When brown, add the sauce and coat the halloumi, continue to cook according to recipe below.

Now: Heat your wraps in the microwave, or wrapped in some foil in a low oven (or have them cold).

Spread each wrap with hummus, add lettuce, tomatoes and onion and top with pieces of halloumi – give each wrap a squeeze of lime to finish. Wrap up and enjoy!


Substitutions

  • Paneer – You can use paneer instead of halloumi if you prefer
  • Salad – You can swap the salad filling for whatever you fancy
  • Wraps – You could go for wholemeal wraps for additional fibre or gluten-free if you want to make this a GF meal

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days, serve cold. Halloumi is best freshly cooked though as it can go quite hard when cooled.

In the freezer Cooked halloumi isn’t the best for freezing when it’s the star of the recipe, so avoid here is possible.

Recipe Tip

Try soaking the halloumi in boiling water for 10 mins before frying if you want it to be softer rather than squeaky!

FAQs

What should I serve with the wraps?

These are fine to enjoy on their own, but you could serve with side dishes if you want to make this a larger meal.

Homemade chips, a simple Greek salad or a rice salad would be great. How about a little Tzatziki sauce on the side too?

Is this a vegan recipe?

No, halloumi is made from sheep’s milk, but you can buy vegan halloumi cheese as an alternative.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

A close up of an open hallloumi wrap before it's wrapped up, showing salad and halloumi on top.
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Halloumi Wraps {with Sticky Sauce}

With a sweet sticky sauce and customisable fillings, these Halloumi Wraps are a perfect no-fuss lunch or dinner. Amazing value and totally delicious, you can throw them together in about 10 minutes.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 674kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp Sunflower oil
  • 400 g Halloumi x2 packs

For the sticky sauce:

  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • 2 tbsp Sweet chilli sauce
  • 2 tbsp Ketchup

To serve:

  • 2 Little gem lettuces Finely shredded
  • 1/2 Red onion Thinly sliced
  • 250 g Cherry tomatoes Halved
  • 1/2 Cucumber Thinly sliced
  • 120 g Hummus
  • 1 Lime
  • 8 Small tortilla wraps

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, mix your sticky sauce ingredients until combined.
  • Cut each of the 2 blocks of halloumi into 8 slices.
  • Heat the oil in a pan over a high heat and once hot add the halloumi, fry on each side for 3-5 minutes, trying not to move the cheese too much so it can brown.
  • Add the sauce into the pan with the halloumi, turn the halloumi until fully coated in the sauce and and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is warmed through.
  • Meanwhile if you prefer warm wraps (I do!), heat your wraps in the microwave, or wrapped in some foil in a low oven. You can also toast the very carefully over an open gas flame to give them some colour and texture.
  • Spread each wrap with hummus, add lettuce, tomatoes and onion and top with pieces of halloumi – give each wrap a squeeze of lime to finish.

Notes

Soaking the halloumi: Try soaking the halloumi in boiling water for 10 mins before frying if you want it to be softer rather than squeaky!
Paneer: You can use paneer instead of halloumi if you prefer
Salad filling: You can swap the salad filling for whatever you fancy
Serving suggestions: These are OK to enjoy on their own – hot or cold – but you could serve with a side dishes if you want to make this a larger meal. Homemade chips, a simple Greek salad or a rice salad would be great.

Nutrition

Calories: 674kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 1944mg | Potassium: 760mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 1741IU | Vitamin C: 29mg | Calcium: 1168mg | Iron: 5mg

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Air Fryer Greek Chicken Traybake https://www.tamingtwins.com/air-fryer-greek-chicken/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/air-fryer-greek-chicken/#comments Fri, 28 Jun 2024 08:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=29554

This Air Fryer Greek Chicken and Feta Traybake includes veggies for an ultra delicious taste of summer. With just 5…

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This Air Fryer Greek Chicken and Feta Traybake includes veggies for an ultra delicious taste of summer. With just 5 ingredients, you have a speedy, healthy meal in about 25 minutes.

An air fryer with cooked Greek Chicken Traybake and vegetables inside.

The combinations in this Air Fryer Greek Style Chicken Traybake are SO good, with plenty of summer vibes and Mediterranean flavours..

As with all my air fryer recipes, here we’re simply throwing our ingredients in together (there are just 5!) and the results give us a perfectly cooked light dinner or a prepped lunch for another day.


Why you’ll love this Air Fryer Greek Chicken recipe

⭐ Just 5 simple ingredients 

⭐ Delicious meal prep lunch or simple dinner

⭐ Zero fuss, quick and easy


Sarah’s Notes

Air fryers work best when they can make something that we don’t have to then switch our ovens or hobs on for – and I am SO here for this traybake for this very reason. 

For this summery all-in-one dish, we can feed a family of 4 from one air fryer in the space of 25 minutes. 

Simply serve it up with some microwave rice or Greek flatbreads, and perhaps some Greek Salad and Tzatziki sauce. Dinner (or tomorrow’s lunch) DONE.


Air Fryer Greek Chicken Ingredients Notes

The ingredients for Air Fryer Greek Chicken Traybake chopped up and laid out on a counter top.
  • Chicken breast – Dice about 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
  • Veggies – I love the combination of courgettes and red onion for this recipe, but feel free to substitute for whatever you have in
  • Feta – This goes in for the last 5 minutes of cooking time and melts and crisps up slightly at the same time
  • Dried oregano – This gives a lovely seasoning to the whole dish

How to make Air Fryer Greek Chicken Traybake

The raw ingredients for Greek Chicken Traybake inside an air fryer for step 1 in the recipe.

1. Put all ingredients except the feta into your air fryer, and cook as per the recipe below.

Chunks of chicken breast, red onion, courgette inside an air fryer for Greek Chicken Traybake.

2. Add the feta and finish as per the recipe below. Shake vigorously halfway through cooking.


Substitutions

  • To make vegetarian – You can swap the chicken for a vegetarian/vegan protein option too, adjust your cook times as required
  • Chicken thighs – You can use boneless, skinless thighs instead of breast if you prefer, but bear in mind they will take a little longer to cook. Cut them small and adjust the cooking time to until they’re cooked through
  • Vegetables – Feel free to add any others of your choice

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully before serving or eat cold.

In the freezer This is fine to freeze. Wait until cooled then portion up and freeze. Defrost thoroughly before reheating.

Recipe Tips

My air fryer 

The one in these photos is a Russell Hobbs XXL one.

I’ve tested 3 air fryers now, and while I’m not saying that this one is THE BEST EVER, I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to fit in the dishwasher, not too expensive and has a basket large enough for 4 people.

Timing 

I cook this in my air fryer for 20 minutes initially, then another 5 with the feta on top, but the exact number of minutes it takes will depend on your machine, the size of your chicken chunks and whether you’re using breast or thigh meat.

Garlicky chicken

If you like your traybakes with garlic, you can add this additional ingredient if you like. Go for 4 cloves, peeled and crushed, OR the equivalent in a paste if you prefer this.

FAQs

Can I cook this in the oven instead?

Yes, you can cook this in the oven instead at 200C for the same amount of time.⁠

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! When it’s cool, pack it into fridge containers and store for up to 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout in the microwave (or eat cold).

You can also freeze this. Defrost it thoroughly first and then reheat.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

An air fryer with a Greek Chicken Traybake inside.
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Air Fryer Greek Chicken Traybake

This Air Fryer Greek Chicken Traybake includes veggies and feta cheese for an unmistakable taste of summer. With just 5 ingredients, you have a speedy, healthy meal in about 25 minutes.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 305kcal

Ingredients

  • 650 g Chicken breast (approx x4) Diced
  • 2 Courgettes Diced
  • 1 Red onion Peeled and cut into chunks
  • 100 g Feta
  • 1 tbsp Dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp Sunflower oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Put all ingredients into your air fryer and cook on 200C for 20 mins.
  • Add the feta and cook for a further 5 minutes. Shake vigorously halfway through cooking.

Notes

To cook in the oven instead: You can cook this in the oven at 200C for the same amount of time
Serving suggestions: Microwave rice, flatbreads, wraps or pittas, salad
Vegetarian option: You can swap the chicken for a vegetarian/vegan protein too, but adjust your cook times as required
Chicken: You can use thighs instead of breast if you prefer, but bear in mind they will take a little longer to cook. Cut them small and adjust the cooking time to until they’re cooked through
Make ahead for prepped lunches: When cool, pack it into fridge containers and store for up to 3 days. Reheat until piping hot throughout in the microwave (or eat cold). You can also freeze. Defrost it thoroughly first and then reheat
Garlic optional: You could add a little garlic for additional flavour. Go for 4 cloves or the equivalent of jar/paste
 

Nutrition

Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 126mg | Sodium: 482mg | Potassium: 899mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 372IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 2mg

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Doner Kebab RECIPE {Slow cooker & Air Fryer} https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-doner-kebab/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-doner-kebab/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16581

Making a Homemade Doner Kebab is really throwing it back here for those of you who might have LIVED by…

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Making a Homemade Doner Kebab is really throwing it back here for those of you who might have LIVED by the king of late-night takeaways. And even if you didn’t, you’re going to love this one for a cheeky weekend fakeaway that manages to be simple, low cost and healthy.

Finished meal of doner kebabs and fillings.

After a lot of testing and tasting, it turns out that yes, a Homemade Doner Kebab can be easy AND healthy, made in a slow cooker!

Whether you’re serving this for a crowd to pile in their own fillings or a family Friday takeaway, I hope you love it as much as we do.


Why you’ll love this Doner Kebab recipe

⭐ Feels like a big treat

⭐ Low cost and full of flavour

⭐ Ideal for serving to guests


Tray with finished recipe for doner kebab.

Sarah’s notes

The doner kebab originated in Turkey centuries ago, and it’s thought it arrived in London in its current form (meat and veg inside bread) around the 1960s.

I love this Guardian report which talks about the origins of the humble doner, and how it’s so much more than just a post-pub indulgence.

This is my simple, homemade version with inspiration taken from the one we know and hold dear. I’ve kept it as family friendly as possible with budget, nutrition and convenience in mind.

You can also make this in the oven and details are in the FAQs below.


Homemade Doner Kebab Ingredients

Raw ingredients for homemade doner kebab on a counter.
  • Lean mince – You can use beef or lamb here. Whichever is your preference. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince
  • Onion powder – Or onion granules
  • Garlic granules – Or garlic powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Paprika
  • Dried oregano
  • Garlic – We cleverly roast off a whole bulb here to make the classic garlic sauce but even better!

    For the sauce: (Or use my Tzatziki recipe here)
  • Mayo – Use whichever type you prefer
  • Greek yoghurt – You can use natural yoghurt here but the sauce will be slightly more runny (which is fine)
  • Mint sauce – The vinegary type, not mint jelly

How to make a Homemade Doner Kebab (SLOW COOKER METHOD)

Step 1 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

1. Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.

Step 2 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

2. Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape.

Step 3 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince. Roll into foil.

3. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure. Prick the foil. Place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 4 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince. Add garlic.

4. Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil. Place alongside the meat parcel in the slow cooker.

Step 5 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

5. Cook as per the recipe. When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices from the bottom of the slow cooker to serve (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).

Step 6 of how to make a homemade doner kebab. Make the dressing.

6. Make the garlic sauce by squeezing the cooked very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the other sauce ingredients and mix well.


Substitutions

  • Mince – I used beef but you could use lamb if you prefer. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in a hot pan with a little oil before serving.

In the freezer This freezes fairly well, Just wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob.

The meat slices do tend to break up a little when reheated but if this doesn’t bother you, go for it.

Top Tips

Meat temperature

It’s really hard to tell if the meat is cooked through as you won’t be looking at the inside(!), so for this recipe I would recommend checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

I find this one to be a good option. There are cheaper ones out there but this one tends to be really reliable. It should be 70℃ (160F) for 2 minutes.

How to slice the meat

It’s important to allow the block of meat to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing it or it will fall apart when it’s cut (although it doesn’t matter so much if you’re hungry and don’t mind it crumbling!)

You can reheat the slices of meat afterwards if you want it to be super hot. To do this, put the cooking liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker in a frying pan for 5 minutes or until it’s fully reheated.

FAQs

What goes into a Doner Kebab?

As well as the meat, we serve it into pittas or flatbread with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, cucumber slices, and chilli peppers (if you dare!) with a drizzle of yoghurt-mayo-mint sauce and chilli sauce.

Is this a Healthy doner kebab recipe?

Yes, it’s made with lean mince and everything else is low fat too. Doner kebabs are known for being calorific but this is when we’re talking about deep fried fast food versions.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Tray with homemade doner kebabs with salad, flatbread and yoghurt sauce.
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Homemade Doner Kebab {Slow Cooker Recipe}

A Homemade Doner Kebab is a great fakeaway treat for the whole family, and this slow cooker recipe is convenient and simple.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 644kcal

Ingredients

  • 750 g Lean mince
  • 3 tsp Onion granules
  • 3 tsp Garlic granules
  • 3 tsp Ground cumin
  • 3 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Sea alt
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Bulb of garlic

For the sauce:

  • 75 g Mayo
  • 100 g Greek yoghurt
  • 2 tsp Mint sauce

Instructions

  • Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.
  • Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure.
  • Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil.

To cook in the Slow Cooker:

  • Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
  • Cook for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 5-6 on LOW or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).

To cook in the Air Fryer:

  • Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the air fryer. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
  • Cook for 30 minutes at 170℃.
  • Remove the garlic bulb from the air fryer and set aside to cool. Open up the foil top of the kebab meat to allow the top to brown. (Do this carefully so that the cooking juices don't run out of the bottom of the foil.)
  • Cook the meat for a further 15 minutes at 170℃ or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).

To Serve:

  • Let the meat sit to cool for 15-30 minutes (save the juices at the bottom of the slow cooker or foil if cooked in the air fryer).
  • When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).
  • Make the garlic sauce by squeeze the cooked, very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the mayo, yoghurt and mint sauce, mix well. Add a splash of water if you'd like it to be more runny.
  • Serve the meat as it is with the usual kebab accompaniments and the garlic sauce, OR reheat the meat, with the cooking liquid in a frying pan for a few minutes until hot through (see notes).

Notes

Meat thermometer: I recommend this one as it’s reliable and accurate. The internal meat temperature should read 70℃  (160F) for 2 minutes
Reheating the meat after it’s cooled and sliced: It’s important to allow the meat loaf to cool for a while before slicing it, or it will all crumble and you won’t get those doner kebab strips. If you like your food hot, you can reheat the meat once it’s in strips. Do this by saving the cooking juice from the slow cooker and heating it up in a frying pan for a few minutes with the meat

Nutrition

Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 5mg

The post Doner Kebab RECIPE {Slow cooker & Air Fryer} appeared first on Taming Twins.

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