This Authentic Lebanese Shawarma comes together in about 30 minutes, all in one pan, for a quick weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Trust me, this dish is a great crowd-pleaser that everyone will ask for again and again!
Ingredient Breakdown
- 1 lb Chicken or Beef
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 tsp Ground Coriander
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil
- 4 Pitas
- 1 Cup Lettuce, Shredded
- 1 Tomato, Diced
- 1 Cucumber, Shredded
- 1/2 Cup Creamy Garlic Sauce
How to Make Authentic Lebanese Shawarma
Marinate the Meat: In a bowl, mix together the minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Make sure every morsel is coated with the goodness of the marinade. It’s fantastic to let the meat soak up these flavors! Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or if you can plan ahead, overnight is even better for flavor!
Cook the Meat: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated meat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through. The smell will be utterly mouth-watering (seriously, it’s a game changer!).
Warm the Pitas: Warm the pitas in a separate pan or microwave, just until they’re soft and pliable, nothing worse than a crunchy pita situation!
Assemble the Shawarma: To put this together, place the cooked meat right in the center of each pita. Then, go crazy with toppings! Layer on shredded lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cucumber, and drizzle with that creamy garlic sauce.
Roll It Up: Now for the fun part! Roll up the pita tightly to enclose all the filling. It’s gonna be a little messy, but that’s part of the fun, right?
Serve and Enjoy! You can cut these in half for easy handling, perfect for hungry kiddos or a fun dinner party!
Why I Love This Recipe
This is my go-to recipe when I want a cozy, comforting meal that the whole family can enjoy! I’m a real sucker for shawarma, and the best part is how versatile it is. You can use whatever you’ve got on hand in terms of toppings, everything works! Plus, it’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you just want something delicious without spending all night in the kitchen!
If you loved this shawarma recipe, be sure to check out my Kafta Kebabs, my Lemon Garlic Chicken with Potatoes, or my Lebanese Knafeh! Trust me; you won’t want to miss those!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This shawarma comes together in under 30 minutes, ideal for those hectic nights when you need something fast but flavorful!
Customizable
You can easily adjust the toppings to keep things interesting or to cater to your family’s preferences. Hate tomatoes? No problem. Love avocado? Go for it!
Comfort Food
Richly marinated, savory meat wrapped in warm pitas, this recipe is loaded with tons of flavor that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.
Serving Suggestions
You’ll want to pair your shawarma with something refreshing like a side salad or some homemade fries!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Best way to reheat is on the stove, just pop that skillet back on medium heat and warm until heated through. If you must use a microwave (we’ve all been there), go low and slow to avoid a soggy pita!
Freezer Friendly?
I don’t recommend freezing the assembled pitas, but you can definitely freeze the marinated meat for up to three months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking!
When we gather around the table and dig into these shawarma wraps, it feels like we’re getting a taste of Middle Eastern magic right at home. I just can’t get enough of how all these flavors marry together in every single bite! So gather your family around and dig in, you’re going to love it!
Oh! One more thing, don’t skip on that creamy garlic sauce. Seriously, it elevates the whole dish. Happy cooking! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Authentic Lebanese Shawarma
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, mix together the minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Ensure meat is coated and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated meat and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Warm pitas in a separate pan or microwave until soft.
- Place cooked meat in the center of each pita and top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cucumber, and drizzle with garlic sauce.
- Roll up the pita tightly to enclose the filling.
- Cut in half for easy handling and serve.