shish kebab

food

Also known as: arni souvlakia, sis-cévap

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

Shish kebab is a dish of Middle Eastern or Central Asian origin. It typically consists of small pieces of meat, such as lamb or beef, alternated with vegetables on a skewer and then grilled. The term "shish kebab" itself comes from Turkish, with "shish" meaning spit and "kebab" meaning roast meat.12

The meat is often marinated in olive oil and lemon juice with various spices. Common vegetables include eggplant, tomato, and onion. Kebabs are usually cooked over a charcoal brazier. This dish is popular worldwide and has many variations, including döner kebab and souvlaki.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

kebab
…best-known of the latter is shish kebab, although this term is unrevealing inasmuch as it means simply “skewered meat” (from the Turkish şiş kebap). It has a close cousin in shashlik, eaten in the Caucasus region and Russia. Beef or lamb is the preferred meat in the Middle East, although…
Read More
…best-known of the latter is shish kebab, although this term is unrevealing inasmuch as it means simply “skewered meat” (from the Turkish şiş kebap). It has a close cousin in shashlik, eaten in the Caucasus region and Russia. Beef or lamb is the preferred meat in the Middle East, although…
Read More

gastronomy
Middle Eastern
Şişkebabi (shish kebab), skewered mutton or lamb, is enjoyed in all these countries, as is kofte, a lamb patty. Yogurt dishes and a sweet known as halvah are commonly found. A favourite dessert is baklava, a rich pastry filled with nuts and layered with honey or…
Read More
Şişkebabi (shish kebab), skewered mutton or lamb, is enjoyed in all these countries, as is kofte, a lamb patty. Yogurt dishes and a sweet known as halvah are commonly found. A favourite dessert is baklava, a rich pastry filled with nuts and layered with honey or…
Read More

lamb
Consumption and cuisine
…roasted on a skewer (shish kebab) or cooked with local vegetables. A classic Middle Eastern dish is kibbe, a mixture of ground lamb and cracked wheat.
Read More
…roasted on a skewer (shish kebab) or cooked with local vegetables. A classic Middle Eastern dish is kibbe, a mixture of ground lamb and cracked wheat.
Read More