Considered the most popular dishes of Turkish fast food, we break down the differences in calories, preparation, and price between the döner kebab and the dürüm.
Turkish cuisine is one of the most extensive in the entire Mediterranean. A melting pot of cultures that is celebrated at the table and that allows us to delve into a past where all the Muslim tradition is mixed with the Western spirit. So much so that two of the main dishes of Turkish street food are savored in the main cities of Europe. It is not unusual to enjoy a döner kebab or a dürüm in the hundreds of Turkish food stalls that dot the neighborhoods of our cities and that, with their characteristic aroma and affordable prices, become the perfect dinner when we do not want to waste too much time in the kitchen. But what is the difference between a kebab and a dürüm?
What is a doner kebab
Döner kebab is a popular Turkish recipe based mainly on beef, chicken or lamb. Kebab literally means “grilled meat” while döner means “turning.” The expression refers to the piece made up of thin, stacked portions of meat seasoned with cumin, paprika or black pepper, among others, which is placed on the vertical skewer and cooked little by little while rotating. However, today, döner kebab is used to refer to a preparation where the meat comes in pita bread.
Contrary to popular belief, authentic Turkish restaurants offer a top-quality döner kebab where the fat content is no different than other similar products. Thus, layers of lean cuts of beef, chicken or lamb are combined with slightly fattier parts to add flavour. However, döner kebabs increase their caloric content due to the amount of sauces and dressings that are usually served with the dish.
The meat is roasted slowly, in constant movement, inside the vertical ovens where the kebab is arranged. A very characteristic smoky touch is achieved, making the fattier layers blend in with the lean pieces. There are versions of the döner kebab that are not so popular in the West, prepared from minced meat or kofte, and which are a very popular delicacy on Turkish streets.
What is a dürüm
Using the same cooking procedure and type of meat as the döner kebab, the dürüm is the name given to the popular spicy and smoked lamb, beef or chicken roll. Thus, we have another delicious and flavorful dish that is common to find in street stalls in Turkish cities and that reminds us, due to its appearance, of what we can know as a wrap: meat rolled on a thin layer of bread.
Difference between kebab and dürüm
Although the type of meat and its grilling method is the same, there are some differences in presentation, satiety or price that make some prefer the popular döner kebab while others opt for a juicy dürüm.
Type of bread
Typically, the döner kebab is served with pita bread. Soft and spongy on the inside, its crust is firm, allowing it to be baked easily and creating an air pocket inside that makes it the ideal bread to include fillings. Regarding its flavor, it has a slight toasted touch from baking that does not kill the intense flavor of the spiced meat, making it absorb the juices and be delicious.
For its part, the dürüm is presented with the bread known as lavash: much thinner than pita bread and with an appearance more similar to the typical Mexican tortillas. It can be folded, rolled or used as a base for other Turkish gastronomy recipes, its versatility being one of the interesting points when preparing dürüm. Unlike pita bread, lavash is not toasted.
Form or presentation
As we said, pita bread is the base of the döner kebab and makes it a kind of bag with filling and sauces while resembling a kind of sandwich open only on one side. The dürum, for its part, is presented as a kind of wrap or burrito, with the lavash bread rolled up.
Satiety
Although it is true that the type of meat used is the same, the difference regarding satiety lies in the type of bread we have used. Pita bread, much denser than lavash and which has been toasted, gives a feeling of satiety superior to döner kebab compared to dürüm.
Ease of consumption
When it comes down to it, dürüm is a much easier dish to carry and consume as it comes rolled. In the case of döner kebab, its presentation requires a small box (similar to that of hamburgers) to be able to enjoy it. This makes dürüm an easier option to consume due to lack of time.
Which is more caloric
Another interesting point is the calorie point of view. In this respect, again, the döner kebab is usually higher in calories (600 to 800 kilocalories per serving) than the dürüm (about 600 kilocalories on average). It is true that the dürüm also has a greater presence of vegetables and less meat, making it a little lighter than the döner kebab.
If you want to enjoy the best Turkish street food at home, you can prepare a delicious chicken döner kebab without complications with our recipe or enjoy juicy beef dürüm at home.