How To Make The Best Shawarma At Home
Want to make delicious shawarma and don’t know how? In this piece, you will learn how to make the best shawarma at home. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made of thinly sliced meat (usually chicken, beef, or lamb) that is marinated in spices and roasted on a spit.
The meat is then shaved off and served in a pita or wrap with vegetables and sauces. Shawarma is also a common street food in the coastal region of East African countries like Kenya and Tanzania.
Shawarma Ingredients
Certainly! Here are the basic ingredients you’ll need for cooking shawarma:
For the Shawarma Marinade
1. Thinly sliced meat (commonly beef, lamb, chicken, or a mixture)
2. Shawarma spice blend (typically includes cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, and more)
3. Olive oil
4. Lemon juice or vinegar
5. Garlic (minced or crushed)
6. Yogurt (optional, for tenderness and flavor)
For Assembling the Shawarma
7. Flatbreads or pitas (to serve as the base)
8. Condiments and Sauces (choose from options like tahini sauce, garlic sauce, or yogurt-based sauces)
9. Fresh Vegetables (commonly tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce)
10. Optional toppings (pickles, radishes, chili peppers)
Additional Optional Ingredients
11. Sumac (for extra tanginess)
12. Aleppo pepper or chili flakes (for heat)
13. Herbs like parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
14. Sesame seeds (for added texture)
These are the core ingredients for making shawarma. You can customize your shawarma by choosing your preferred type of meat and condiments, as well as adjusting the spice levels to suit your taste. Enjoy assembling and savoring your homemade shawarma!
How To Make The Best Shawarma At Home Step by Step
Certainly! Here’s a step-by-step procedure for making shawarma:
Step 1. Prepare the Shawarma Marinade
- In a bowl, combine the shawarma spice blend, olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, minced or crushed garlic, and yogurt (if using). Mix thoroughly to make a flavorful marinade.
Step 2. Marinate the Meat
- Place the thinly sliced meat into a large resealable bag or a bowl.
- Pour the marinade over the meat, ensuring it’s well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
Step 3. Cook the Marinated Meat
- Warm a skillet or grill pan on medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated meat in batches until it’s cooked through and has a crispy outer layer. You can also use a vertical rotisserie if available.
Step 4. Prepare the Shawarma Sauce
- While the meat is cooking, prepare any shawarma sauce you’d like to serve with it. Common choices include tahini sauce, garlic sauce, or yogurt-based sauces.
Step 5. Warm the Flatbreads or Pitas
- Warm the flatbreads or pitas in a dry skillet/pan or briefly in the oven until they are soft and pliable.
Step 6. Assemble the Shawarma
- Lay out each flatbread or pita.
- Spread a generous amount of your chosen sauce on the bread.
- Place a portion of the cooked meat on top of the sauce.
Step 7. Add Fresh Vegetables and Toppings
- Top with slices of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and lettuce.
- Optionally, add pickles, radishes, chili peppers, and any other preferred toppings.
Step 8. Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle sumac, Aleppo pepper, or chili flakes, and sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
- If you like, you can enhance the presentation by adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro.
Step 9. Fold and Serve
- Fold or roll the flatbread or pita around the filling, creating a wrap or sandwich.
Step 10. Enjoy
Serve your homemade shawarma immediately while it’s still warm and enjoy the delicious flavors!
Feel free to customize your shawarma with your favorite ingredients and sauces to suit your taste preferences.
You can check out more delicious dish recipes like how to make Swahili chicken biryani and how to make Kenyan pilau.
FAQs
1. How to make garlic sauce for shawarma?
Garlic sauce is an essential component of shawarma. Here’s a simple recipe to make garlic sauce at home:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, yogurt, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
- Season with salt and pepper to your liking, then thoroughly combine.
- Place a lid on the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving.
- Stir the sauce well before serving.
- Enjoy your homemade garlic sauce with your shawarma!
2. Can I use lamb instead of chicken or beef?
Yes, you can definitely use lamb as a meat option for making shawarma at home. In fact, lamb is a popular meat choice for shawarma in many Middle Eastern countries. Lamb has a distinct flavor and texture that can add a unique twist to your homemade shawarma recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time and temperature accordingly as lamb may take longer to cook compared to chicken or beef.
3. Can I make shawarma without a grill or pan?
Yes, you can make shawarma without a grill or pan. One alternative method is to use an oven. To do this, you can marinate your meat, wrap it in aluminum foil, and bake it in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-30 minutes or until cooked through. You can also use a toaster oven or a microwave oven. Another option is to use a rotisserie oven or a vertical spit to cook the meat. This method is more common in commercial settings but can also be used at home if you have the equipment.
4. How do you make tahini sauce from scratch?
To make tahini sauce from scratch, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup tahini paste
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Here are the steps to follow:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini paste and water until smooth.
- Add the lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt to the bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- You can either enjoy it right away or keep it fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Enjoy your homemade tahini sauce!
