Introduction Döner is a traditional meat meal that is commonly consumed in Turkey. Its history dates back to the 1800s in Bursa and the Middle East and its consumption spread due to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the Ottoman Empire. Today it is served in different formulations and types, such as a döner, iskender, and cağ kebab. In many countries (e.g., Germany, Greece, Lebanon, Arab countries, and the USA) döner has entered the culinary culture and has become a regional food with diverse names, such as gyro, doner kebab, shawarma, chawarma, and souvlaki (1,2). Döner is made from beef, pork, or mutton meat and mixed with flavoring ingredients such as tail fat, onion, pepper, oil, milk, yogurt, tomato, egg, and vinegar or lemon juice based on consumer preferences. In Turkey, 2-3-year-old bovine meat is generally preferred for döner production and it must have been previously ripened (pH of <6). Meat is procured from the hind, back, legs, and waist of the carcass. A meat part known as the 'rump tail' is particularly used as a döner raw material (3-5). Before the cooking process, döner meat is marinated with salt, phosphates, organic acids, spices, and the previously listed flavoring ingredients. This method tenderizes, crisps, and increases the meat flavor (6,7). The quality of the flora in raw döner kebab meat depends on numerous factors, such as the microbial load in the raw materials, processing, and plant hygiene. The use of low quality meat and other ingredients, poor hygiene at the plant, and staff inattention can result in increased microbial loads. According to Turkish standards, the presence of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens is limited to 10 4 colony forming units (CFU)/g for döner kebab meat and a maximum of 10 6 CFU/g total aerobic bacteria. The pathogens Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 are not allowed in döner kebab meat. Legal limits were also established in the Turkish Food Codex (5) for cooked döner meat. The maximum limit for coagulasepositive S. aureus and C. perfringens, mold, and yeast is 10 3 CFU/g, while Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7 are not allowed. As a fresh dish, döner kebab must be served immediately after cooking and there are some unique risks associated with the cooking process. The standard temperature used during the cooking application is generally enough Abstract: Döner is a traditional meat meal that is commonly consumed in Turkey. Although it receives heat treatment during processing, some microorganisms including pathogens may remain alive. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the changes in the number of microorganisms (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli, aerobic mesophilic spore-forming bacteria, Staphylococcus-Micrococcus spp.) and survival potential of some pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens) during the cooking period. Experimentally prepared döner kebabs were cooked continu...