Skip to content

Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Aleppo style cherry kebab

Aleppo style cherry kebab is a Syrian dish of beef and lamb meatballs simmered in a tomato sauce with sour cherries, tangy and lightly sweet. It serves 4 in 50 minutes, costs about €3.20 per person, and rates medium difficulty. The key to success is the balance between the tang of pomegranate molasses and the sugar, which you adjust by tasting the sauce before serving.

Tonight, I'm taking you to Aleppo with a cherry kebab, tender meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce that surprises everyone.

Aleppo style cherry kebab
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.20
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall

This dish surprises you from the first bite. The beef and lamb meatballs are tender and scented with cinnamon, sitting in a tomato sauce where sour cherries bring an unexpected fruity tang. Sugar and pomegranate molasses balance that tang, and the pita bread tucked under the meatballs soaks up all the juice until it turns soft and rich. It wakes up your taste buds without being spicy.

This is a recipe for a slow Sunday night or for guests curious to try something different, and Mon Chou walks you through every step so you nail that sweet and sour balance. Kids used to plainer flavors might be thrown off by cherries in a savory dish, so it's better suited to a dinner with adults or adventurous teens.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground beef 250 g
  • Ground lamb 250 g

Frozen foods

  • Frozen or jarred pitted sour cherries 400 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Pantry

  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Pomegranate molasses or lemon juice 1 tbsp
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 20 g

Bakery

  • Pita breads 4

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the meats with the grated onion, chopped parsley, cinnamon, salt and pepper, then shape into walnut sized meatballs.

    Wet your hands to shape the meatballs so the meat doesn't stick.

  2. Brown the meatballs in a large skillet with the butter, then set them aside. 8 min

    Don't stir them too much so they don't fall apart.

  3. In the same skillet, melt the tomato paste with the cherries, sugar and a glass of water. 10 min

    Frozen sour cherries release a lot of juice, let it reduce.

  4. Return the meatballs to the sauce and let simmer, adding the pomegranate molasses or lemon juice at the end of cooking. 15 min

    Pomegranate molasses is sold at Middle Eastern grocery stores, lemon juice is a great substitute.

  5. Warm the pitas, cut them into pieces to line the skillet under the meatballs, and serve straight from the pan.

    The bread soaks up the sauce and becomes the best part of the dish.

Our tips to get it right

  • Grate the onion instead of chopping it, it blends into the meat better and keeps the meatballs moist.
  • If you're using jarred sour cherries, drain them a bit before adding so the sauce doesn't turn watery.
  • Simmer covered over low heat, a hard boil will dry out the meatballs.

The variations

  • Swap the lamb for more beef only if you want a milder, less distinctive flavor.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the meatballs with red lentil and bulgur balls.
  • To save time, shape smaller meatballs, they cook in half the time once in the sauce.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt to cool it down
  • Cucumber and mint salad
  • Mint tea

Storage

This cherry kebab keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, without the pita bread, for up to 2 months. Reheat it gently in a skillet or saucepan, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened.

Questions about this dish

Can I use fresh cherries instead of sour cherries?

Yes, in season you can use pitted fresh cherries. You may need to add a bit more water since they release less juice than frozen sour cherries.

Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, shape the meatballs the day before and keep them raw in the fridge under plastic wrap. Make the sauce and finish cooking just before serving.

Where can I find pomegranate molasses?

Look for it at Middle Eastern grocery stores or in the international aisle of larger supermarkets. Lemon juice works as a good substitute if you can't find any.

Is this dish good for kids?

It's better suited to adults, since the sweet and sour mix with cherries can throw off kids used to plainer flavors. You can serve them a portion without the cherry sauce if you want to ease them into it.

How long does it take to make an Aleppo style cherry kebab?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in an Aleppo style cherry kebab?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does an Aleppo style cherry kebab cost?

About €3.20 per serving, or €12.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

Maghreb and Middle Eastern cuisine

See all

Recipes with lamb

See all