Tortilla Kebabs

Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published May 18, 2026

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

These viral tortilla kebabs took over TikTok for good reason. Layers of seasoned ground beef are sandwiched between tortillas, sliced into skewers, and cooked until the tortillas turn crispy while the beef stays unbelievably juicy and flavorful.

When I first saw these viral tortilla kebabs floating around online, I immediately stopped scrolling because I had never seen kebabs made like this before. Stacking layers of seasoned ground beef between tortillas honestly sounded a little strange…but also interesting enough that I had to try it for myself. And after making them, I totally understand why they went viral. They turned out crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and packed with so much flavor in every layer.

Low carb tortilla kebabs served on skewers with lemon wedges and a side of creamy dipping sauce.

What makes this tortilla kebab recipe so different?

It’s the way the tortillas cook around the beef!

  • As the kebabs cook, the tortillas get golden and slightly crisp while helping keep the beef tender and juicy inside.
  • I used low carb tortillas to keep these keto friendly, and they worked surprisingly well.
  • The tortillas almost act like a thin crispy shell around all that seasoned beef, garlic, parsley, onion, and warm spices like cumin, coriander, and paprika.
  • I also love that you can customize them depending on your carb goals by reducing or omitting the onions and peppers.

 

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Recipe
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Tortilla Kebabs

Prep 20m Cook 16m Total 36m 6 servings

Tortilla Kebabs Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 2.5 lb lean ground beef (15/85 or 10/90)
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 12 low carb tortillas
  • 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil

Dipping Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1–2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Mix seasoning

In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings – paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander and oregano.

Low carb tortilla kebab base pressed into a round baking dish before assembling the skewers.
Tip If using a grill to cook kebabs and using wooden skewers, soak skewers for 20 minutes in a bowl of water.
Ingredients for this step
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
2
Make beef mixture

To a large bowl, add ground beef, bell pepper, onion, parsley, garlic and seasoning. Mix with hands to combine. Set aside.

Seasoned ground beef mixture with herbs and diced peppers prepared in a glass mixing bowl.
Ingredients for this step
  • 2.5 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
3
Trim tortillas

Stack 8 tortillas together. Using a sharp or serrated knife, trim all the sides of the tortillas to form squares the same size.

Low carb tortillas trimmed into rectangles and strips on a wooden cutting board.
Ingredients for this step
  • 12 low carb tortillas
4
Spread beef mixture

Spread the meat mixture evenly over 7 of the tortillas. Make sure to go edge to edge. It will probably need about a heaping ½ cup for each tortilla.

Seasoned beef mixture spread evenly over a tortilla rectangle on a cutting board.
5
Stack the layers

Stack the beef-lined tortillas over each other and top with the last blank tortilla.

Layered stack of tortillas and seasoned beef filling assembled for tortilla kebabs.
6
Slice the stack

Slice the beef tortilla stacks using a sharp or serrated knife vertically into 3 sections.

Large stacked tortilla kebab slab sliced into long strips on a cutting board.
7
Flip the stacks

Flip each one upwards and turn them to the other side so they are side by side, facing upwards. Carefully insert 3 skewers through them. Depending on the size of your stack and skewer, you may only be able to slide the skewer through 2 of the stacks instead of three. Cut again in between each of the skewers to make kebabs. Repeat steps 3-7 with remaining tortillas and beef mixture.

Three sliced tortilla kebab strips arranged side by side before adding skewers.
Tip I only used two stacks to insert my skewers. I save the other stack to use with the remaining tortillas and meat mixture.
8
Cooking instructions

Stovetop method (preferred): Heat a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Pour cooking oil into the skillet and let heat. Add 2-3 kebabs to the heated skillet. Let cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes each until slightly browned. Repeat with remaining kebabs. Air fryer method: Place kebabs in the basket of the air fryer and air fry at 360 degrees F for about 14 minutes, flipping halfway through. Grill method: Grill them over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side.

Raw tortilla kebabs threaded onto skewers and placed in an oiled baking dish before cooking.
Tip May need to trim your skewers if too long to fit in the pan.
9
Dipping sauce (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Creamy yogurt dipping sauce mixed in a small glass bowl for serving with tortilla kebabs.
Ingredients for this step
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1–2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper
Nutrition Per Serving 1 kebab
525 Calories
27.4g Fat
48.6g Protein
12.6g Net Carbs
44.4g Total Carbs
6 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Tortilla Kebabs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular tortillas instead of low carb tortillas?

Absolutely. I used Mission Carb Balance tortillas to keep these lower carb, but regular flour tortillas work too. Just keep in mind the texture and carb count will vary slightly depending on the tortillas you use....and you probably won't be keto anymore.

Why are my tortilla kebabs falling apart?

Usually this happens if the meat layer is spread too thick or the skewers aren’t inserted securely through the layers. Keeping the beef in thin, even layers and using a sharp knife when slicing helps everything stay together better.

What dipping sauce goes well with tortilla kebabs?

I love serving these with a herby yogurt sauce because the cool, creamy flavor balances the warm spices in the beef perfectly. Tzatziki or garlic sauce would also be delicious.

How can I make these even lower carb?

To lower the carbs even more, you can reduce or omit the onions and bell peppers in the beef mixture. Using low carb tortillas also helps keep the carbs much lower than traditional tortilla kebabs.

What type of ground beef works best?

I like using lean ground beef like 85/15 or 90/10. It still has enough fat for flavor without making the kebabs greasy.

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Close-up of sliced tortilla kebabs layered with seasoned beef and tortillas served with creamy sauce on the side.

Best cooking method

I tested a few different cooking methods while making these, including the grill, air fryer, and stovetop. While all of them worked, I personally liked cooking them over the stove top the best because it gave the tortilla kebabs the most even golden crust. They looked almost fried on the outside while still staying really juicy in the center. The air fryer was definitely the easiest option though, especially if you want a more hands-off method.

Storage information

Store leftover tortilla kebabs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Let them cool completely before storing so the tortillas stay as crisp as possible. Make ahead instructions: You can fully assemble the tortilla kebabs ahead of time before cooking. Keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours until ready to cook. This makes them great for meal prep or prepping before a party or busy weeknight dinner. Freezer instructions:  These freeze surprisingly well. You can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. Arrange the kebabs in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. If freezing uncooked kebabs, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking for the best texture. Reheating instructions:  The best way to reheat tortilla kebabs is in the air fryer because it crisps the tortillas back up without drying out the beef. Air fry at 350 degrees for about 3 to 5 minutes or until heated through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but the tortillas will soften instead of staying crispy.
About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

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