These lazy cheeseburger kebabs are ground beef and Cheddar, wrapped in lavash flatbread, then skewered and baked. This easy technique is usually applied to Middle Eastern flavors, but this cheeseburger version, especially drizzled with Chef John's secret secret sauce, is a familiar flavor you won't want to miss.
INGREDIENTS
Cheeseburger Kebabs
- 8 ounces ground beef
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 (8x10 inch) piece lavash bread
- 2 tablespoons minced green onions
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Secret Secret Sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Add beef to a bowl, and evenly apply the salt, pepper, cayenne, and cheese to the top. Use a fork to gently mix and fold everything together until evenly combined.
- Lay lavash bread on a cutting board, with the shorter 8-inch side facing you. Dampen fingers and transfer meat onto the lavash. Spread as evenly as possible, all the way to the edges, except leave 1 inch uncovered at the top of the sheet, furthest away from you.
- Once the meat is spread evenly, gently press the meat near the far edge to cover the rest of the sheet in a thinner layer, smearing it thinly to the edge. Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the bread up tightly and evenly, finishing with the seam at the bottom.
- Use a serrated knife to cut the roll in half. Then slice each half evenly into 4 pieces. Line the 4 pieces up with the seams trapped in the center and carefully push 2 skewers through the 4 rolls to secure and form the kebab.
- Transfer kebabs to the prepared baking sheet with the best looking sides facing up. Brush with the butter, turn over, and brush the other side. Space kebabs a couple inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 7 minutes. Turn the kebabs over, and turn on the oven’s broiler.
- Broil kebabs until nicely browned and the meat is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes.
- For secret secret sauce, whisk mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, ketchup, and buttermilk together in a small bowl until smooth. Taste, and adjust any ingredients to your taste.
- Serve kebabs with your favorite cheeseburger accompaniments, drizzled with the secret, secret sauce.
Chef's Note
You can brown kebabs on both sides, but be careful not to overcook the meat as it will dry out. Kebabs can also be cooked in a pan over medium heat in a little bit of melted butter, or grilled outside over indirect medium heat. If grilled over high heat, the edges of the bread will char before the meat is cooked.
