Turkish Beef Skewers – Tender, Flavorful & Infused with Onion Juice Marinade
An easy and authentic Turkish-inspired grill recipe, full of flavor and perfect for a summer lunch or cozy dinner.
These juicy beef skewers, marinated in a unique onion juice blend, are deeply savory, tender, and lightly spiced. A technique straight from a traditional Bodrum cookbook, this method enhances flavor and tenderness while keeping the beef incredibly moist.
🕒 Cooking Time & Portions
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marination Time: 1–2 hours
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Servings: 2–3
Skewers: 6 pieces
📝 Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 500g beef (steak cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin)
- 2 medium onions
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ¼ tsp Pul Biber (or use chili flakes + a pinch of sweet paprika)
For the Skewers:
- 1–2 sweet peppers (red or green), cut into square chunks
For Finishing:
- Juice from ¼ lemon
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- A pinch of dried oregano
🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Extract the Onion Juice
Peel and chop the onions roughly, then blend them with the salt until a smooth purée forms. Strain through a fine cheesecloth or clean kitchen towel, squeezing to extract the juice. Discard the pulp.
2. Marinate the Beef
Cut the beef into ~2.5 cm cubes. In a bowl, mix the onion juice, oil, and pul biber. Add the beef cubes, toss to coat well, and cover. Let it marinate in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours. This will deeply flavor and tenderize the meat.
3. Assemble the Skewers
Cut the peppers into squares roughly the same size as the beef. Thread the beef and pepper alternately onto skewers – about 4 beef cubes per skewer.
Let the skewers rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling.
4. Grill the Skewers
Preheat a grill pan over high heat for 5 minutes (no extra oil needed). Lower to medium heat and place the skewers, leaving space between them.
Grill for about 3 minutes per side, then turn them on each edge for another 30 seconds to ensure even cooking.
5. Finish & Serve
As you remove each skewer, sprinkle with lemon juice and cover with foil to keep warm. Once all are grilled, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano.
💡 Cooking Tips
- Use tender beef cuts like sirloin or tenderloin for best results.
- Onion juice is a traditional Turkish technique — it enhances meat flavor and slows down oxidation.
- You can also cook these on an outdoor grill or in the oven at high heat.
- If you don’t have skewers, pan-fry the marinated beef cubes for a simpler version.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve these beef skewers with:
- Grilled sweet peppers (grilled alongside the skewers)
- Halved cherry tomatoes, briefly grilled (2 minutes)
- A scoop of traditional Turkish rice or pilaf
- A fresh yogurt sauce or a dollop of thick Greek yogurt
🧾 Final Thoughts
These Turkish-style beef skewers are more than just a simple meal — they bring the aromas and flavors of a Mediterranean grill right to your plate. The onion-based marinade is a game-changer, delivering juicy, rich bites in every skewer.
Simple to make, full of flavor, and perfect for sharing — this is a recipe you’ll keep coming back to.