Shawarma
(Shawurma, شاورما)
Marinated and spit-roasted, shawarma is a delicious Middle Eastern meat treat whose origins can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire era, while its name stems from the Arabic pronunciation of the Turkish word çevirme (lit. to turn; turning), and refers to the rotating skewer on which the meat is cooked.
Shawarmas are made with either lamb, turkey, chicken, beef, or a mix of different meats which are slow-cooked for hours and basted in their own juices and fat, gaining an incomparable succulence, but the real secret to a perfect shawarma is in the marinade.
Depending on the variety, the meat must be marinated for at least a day, preferably two, especially when using beef. These marinades are either yogurt or vinegar-based and typically include spices and flavorings such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, black pepper, allspice, dried lime, spicy paprika, garlic, ginger, lemon, bay leaf, and sometimes even orange slices. Read more
Shawarma is traditionally served either on its own or enjoyed tucked inside a warm flatbread such as pita or lavash. However, what really sets it apart from the Turkish döner kebab, Greek gyros, or other similar foods is the extent of garnishes and condiments offered with it.
For example, Israeli shawarmas are typically topped with tahini and come with generous servings of hummus and pickled mango slices, while in other countries, shawarma is often complemented with garlic mayo or a zesty toumaia garlic sauce, both fresh and pickled vegetables, salads like tabbouleh or fattoush, and amba sauce–a tangy chili and mango pickle dip.
Once a common staple of the Middle Eastern working man, shawarma has today become the ultimate Arabic street food, found not only in Arabia and Levant but in virtually any nook and corner of the globe.
Serve with
Amba
Amba is a pickled mango sauce with murky origins. The word amba means mango in Indian. It is believed that it was first made in the 19th century by the ... Read more
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a colorful Lebanese and Syrian national dish that is usually considered a salad, with a crunchy and chewy texture, made with fresh, finely chopped parsley ... Read more
Toum
Toum is an authentic Lebanese and Syrian garlic paste. It is made with whole garlic cloves, which are slowly crushed using a mortar and pestle, or nowadays simply ground ... Read more
Hummus
This internationally popular, beige-colored spread is traditionally made with mashed chickpeas, tahini sesame paste, lemon juice, and garlic. People across the ... Read more
Recipe variations
Lebanese Shawarma
READY IN 12h 35minThis recipe explains how to make original Lebanese shawarma in a way adapted for at-home preparation. Instead of being grilled on a rotating skewer, the meat is first sautéed in a pan and then cooked with water. This recipe suggests serving the shawarma wrapped in a classic pita bread together with tahini-based sauce and fresh vegetables.
Homemade Beef Shawarma
READY IN 12h 35minThis recipe shows how to make shawarma at home without a rotating cone. After marinating overnight, the meat can be prepared on an electric grill or in an oven, and if you wish, you can partially replace a part of the beef with lamb — preferably, choose a piece that is not completely lean. Also, the recipe suggests serving shawarma wrapped in pita bread together with French fries, among other things, which, although not traditional, is a very common practice these days.
Chicken Shawarma
READY IN 24h 40minThis recipe shows how to make a light but flavorful chicken shawarma. Other than in marinating the meat, the key is in using dark chicken meat, such as thighs, because it has a higher fat percentage than the lean parts such as breasts, resulting in more succulent and flavorful meat.
Shawarma Authentic recipe
This recipe explains how to make original Lebanese shawarma in a way adapted for at-home preparation. Instead of being grilled on a rotating skewer, the meat is first sautéed in a pan and then cooked with water. This recipe suggests serving the shawarma wrapped in a classic pita bread together with tahini-based sauce and fresh vegetables.
WHERE TO EAT The best Shawarma in the world (according to food experts)
