Easy Oven Döner Kebab (Viral Hack Version) with Sourdough Pita Pockets

This easy oven döner kebab uses a viral parchment-paper cooking hack to create thin, juicy, lightly crispy meat — no rotisserie required. Served in homemade sourdough pita pockets with a creamy yogurt dill sauce and fresh toppings, it’s an elevated street-food-style dinner you can make at home.

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Part 1: Sourdough Pita Pockets

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Proofing Time: ~7 hours
Total Time: ~7 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 pita pockets

Ingredients

• 340 g all-purpose flour (about 2¾ cups)

• 8 g granulated sugar

• 9 g kosher salt

• 120 g active sourdough starter

• 180 g warm water (¾ cup)

• 25 g extra-virgin olive oil (2 tablespoons)

Instructions

1. Make the Dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the flour, sugar, salt, warm water, and sourdough starter. Mix on medium speed for 5 minutes until a shaggy dough forms.

With the mixer running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue mixing for 10–15 minutes, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl and becomes smooth and elastic.

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2. Bulk Fermentation

Cover the bowl and place it in a warm spot (75–80°F is ideal).

• Let ferment for about 5½ hours at 78°F

• During the first hour, perform 2–3 sets of stretch and folds every 30 minutes

The dough is ready when doubled in size with a smooth, domed surface.

Optional overnight method: Refrigerate the dough at this stage and bake the next day.

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3. Divide & Shape

Line a half-sheet pan with parchment and lightly flour it.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces (about 84 g each). Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place on the prepared pan.

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4. Final Proof

Cover loosely and proof for 1½–2 hours, until soft, puffy, and nearly doubled.

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5. Roll & Bake

Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C) with a bread steel, pizza stone, or cast-iron skillet inside.

Roll each dough ball into an 8-inch round. Bake 4–5 minutes, until puffed with light brown spots. Remove and cover with a towel to keep warm.

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Part 2: Easy Oven Döner Kebab (Viral Hack)

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
  (or a mix of beef & lamb, chicken & turkey)

• ½ cup yogurt

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 1 tablespoon coriander

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a bowl, mix all ingredients until fully combined.

3. Place the meat mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper.

4. Cover with another sheet of parchment and roll flat.

5. Remove the top parchment and roll the meat tightly from the bottom into 3–4 inch flat folds.

6. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Bake for 30 minutes.

8. Carefully unroll the meat, squeeze juice of ½ lemon over the top.

9. Return to the oven and bake 5–8 minutes, until lightly crispy on the edges.

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Part 3: Creamy Yogurt Dill Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 cup yogurt

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Zest of ½ lemon

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

• Pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients until smooth.

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Part 4: Fresh Toppings

• ½ red onion, chopped

• 1 cucumber, peeled & chopped

• Chopped romaine lettuce

• 1 tomato, chopped

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Part 5: Assemble the Pitas

1. Cut open each warm sourdough pita pocket.

2. Spread a generous spoonful of yogurt dill sauce inside.

3. Add sliced döner kebab meat.

4. Top with fresh vegetables.

5. Finish with extra sauce and serve immediately.