Kebab Crunch Bake – Easy One-Tray Mediterranean Sushi Bake

One recipe that will earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation is this Kebab Crunch Bake – Easy One-Tray Mediterranean Sushi Bake! It’s packed with bold flavors and delicious layers that make it perfect for feeding a crowd, and it comes together super quickly. The best part? It’s made with pre-seasoned kebab meat from my favorite supermarket, JONS Marketplace, and is inspired by the viral sheet pan kebab trend. Serve it hot or enjoy it chilled—either way, I promise you’ll end up eating the entire tray because it’s just that good!

This post is sponsored by JONS Fresh Marketplace! I’m thrilled to share this delicious recipe using their fresh groceries!

There’s always that one dish at a party that grabs everyone’s attention and gets talked about long after it’s gone. And at my house party, this was the talk for the entire week! In our home, this Kebab Crunch Bake became exactly that dish. Inspired by my popular Sushi Tray platter, I wanted to create something with a similar layered, tightly packed style, but with a Mediterranean twist. My family is huge sushi lovers, and when I first created my sushi tray, they immediately fell in love with it. That inspired me to reimagine it using our own flavor profile, playing with bold spices and Mediterranean-inspired toppings to create what I like to call the “long-lost relative” of my sushi platter. The result turned out even better than I imagined. My entire family couldn’t stop talking about it!

The best part is that I used ready-made kebab meat from my favorite store, JONS Marketplace. I not only love the flavor of their meat, but it’s also super easy and convenient. Everything is already prepared, so all you have to do is shape it, place it in the oven, and bake. It’s ready in just minutes! Or, if you prefer, you can shape them onto skewers, fire up the grill, and cook them that way instead; it works just as well!

Another reason this dish is so amazing is that it’s incredibly versatile. There’s no single right way to make it. Yes, I created this version with Mediterranean flavors, but not in the mood for Mediterranean? No problem! You can easily switch it up. Instead of lule kebab, you could use different types of protein and flavors like chicken, shrimp, or whatever protein you’re craving. You can also completely change the spices and toppings to match your preferences. (More flavor variations coming soon—stay tuned!)

The fun of this dish is in its endless creativity, always leading to something delicious on your plate. The only thing to remember, no matter which flavor direction you choose, is to layer it properly. This helps the flavors meld together while keeping the textures intact, from soft and savory layers to crisp, crunchy toppings that hold everything together.

I have to mention again that one of the reasons this dish turned out so delicious is that I used ready-made meat from JONS Marketplace. It saved so much time compared to marinating from scratch, while still being packed with flavor. Shopping at JONS has always made the process simple and smooth because the store is so well organized. I found almost all the ingredients for this recipe in one aisle. It honestly felt like I was shopping with my eyes closed!

WHAT INSPIRED ME TO CREATE THIS DISH!

I was thrilled to team up with JONS Fresh Marketplace! It’s my Go-To spot for fresh produce, vegetables, and all the international ingredients that I can’t usually find at standard grocery stores. Every visit sparks new inspiration and makes me want to create something special in the kitchen! Special thanks to JONS Fresh Marketplace for sponsoring this recipe video! Check out my recipe video below! Come and shop with me at my favorite grocery store!

This post contains referral links to products we have used or similar to the items used in this recipe. Galore Of Flavors earns a small commission on these links at no cost. You can find more products like these on our “Shop my Favorites” on our homepage! ♡

IN THIS POST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT KEBAB CRUNCH BAKE

• CAN YOU MAKE A KEBAB CRUNCH BAKE AHEAD OF TIME?
• 🍴INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS KEBAB CRUNCH BAKE!
• STEPS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE!
• PREFER TO WATCH STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE VIDEO INSTEAD OF READING?
• JUMP TO RECIPE CARD

CAN YOU MAKE A KEBAB CRUNCH BAKE AHEAD OF TIME?

• One common question people ask is whether this tray can be made ahead of time for an event, and the answer is YES! You can prepare all the ingredients a day in advance and then simply assemble the tray right before serving.

• Another question is whether the kebab has to be beef? Nope, it doesn’t! As I’ve mentioned above, there are many ways to make this dish, and it’s completely customizable to your preference. Whether you want to use chicken, shrimp, or even go fully vegetarian, it all works perfectly.

• One last great question is whether this dish should be served hot or cold. Honestly, it works both ways! Fresh and warm has its own delicious flavor, while chilled after a day in the fridge gives it a different taste, but just as tasty!

🍴INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE THIS KEBAB CRUNCH BAKE!

Here is a preview of the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe! You can find these at your local grocery store or you can shop online. (Detailed ingredients in Recipe Card down below)

• Seasoned Beef Lule Meat (or you can season it yourself)
• Rice (Rose Rice)
• Salt
• Roasted Eggplant Spread
• Pickled Turnips
• Italian Parsley
• Garlic
• Lemon
• Tahini
• Yogurt
• Cucumbers
• Tomato
• Red Onions
• Pitas
• Zahatar Seasoning
• Olive Oil

STEPS TO MAKE THIS RECIPE!

Step 1: Firstly, preheat your oven to 485°F (190°C). In a medium-sized pot, combine rice, salt, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat on the smallest burner. Cover it and let it simmer until the rice cooks fully and steams. Avoid overcooking or adding too much water. Once the rice is done, transfer it to a large bowl and let it cool.

Step 2: Prepare your za’atar crispy pita chips. Chop the pita into small, thin strips, then cut them into smaller bite-sized pieces for the topping. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with za’atar seasoning and a pinch of salt, then bake until golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool.

Step 3: Lightly oil your parchment paper, then place the seasoned ground beef onto a large, flat baking tray and press it down evenly into a single layer. Using a dough cutter, knife, or spatula, gently score the meat into long strips to form rows. Then lightly press horizontally across to create that lule kebab look. Just be careful not to cut all the way through. Drizzle with a little olive oil and bake for 25–30 minutes.

Step 4: Prepare your sauce and vegetables. Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, then set aside. For the tahini sauce, mix together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, water, and salt. Blend very well to liquify. Transfer to a squeeze bottle if available and refrigerate until the beef is ready. After cooking the meat, mix the cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Step 5: Assemble the Tray: Lastly, spread the cooked rice evenly in your tray, then layer the cooked beef on top. Add the cucumber and tomato salad, roasted eggplant spread, and drizzle with tahini sauce. Finish with crushed crispy pita chips, pickled turnips, and a light drizzle of pomegranate molasses, and enjoy!

PREFER TO WATCH STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE VIDEO INSTEAD OF READING?

Have any questions about this recipe or have you tried making our recipe yet? If so, we would LOVE to hear how it turned out! You can post, tag, rate, and comment down below and on Instagram! 👇 Thank you in advance! 

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A post shared by Sylvia Avakian (@galore_of_flavors)

RECIPE CARD

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WRITE US A REVIEW BELOW ⬇️

We would love to hear your thoughts if you tried out our recipe!😊