Everything You Need to Know About Shawarma |Basha's Shawarma (2024)

FAQs

What you need to know about shawarma? ›

Shawarma is prepared from thin cuts of seasoned and marinated lamb, mutton, veal, beef, chicken, or turkey. The slices are stacked on a skewer about 60 cm (20 in) high. Pieces of fat may be added to the stack to provide extra juiciness and flavour.

Shawarma was traditionally made with lamb, mutton and chicken though these days you see it with beef too. It's commonly served in the form of a wrap, though in some countries you see it served on plates with sides such as seasoned rice or fries, and salads. In this recipe, I'm giving you both options!

When people in America hear the term shawarma, they think of gyro, and while gyro is prepared the same way as shawarma, it is not created using the same kind of meats. Gyro is made with ground meat, lamb, beef, or goat.

Shawarma is all about the delicious sauces that accompany the meat – typically garlic yoghurt or tahini and hommus – and the secret ingredient: pickles. Pickled vegetables are what take shawarma to a whole new plane: pickled cucumbers, turnips, and even carrots or mangoes are common.

Shawarma is marinated with various seasonings and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It is made by stacking thinly sliced meat, typically lamb, beef, or chicken, on a large rotating skewer or cone. It is also sometimes cooked with extra fat from the meat to give it a juicer taste.

One of the biggest disadvantages of shawarma is that it is high in fat and calories.” “The meat used in shawarma is often very fatty, and the addition of oils and sauces can add even more calories. As a result, eating shawarma on a regular basis can lead to weight gain.”

Shawarma is an Arabic rendering of Turkish çevirme 'turning', in reference to the rotisserie-cooked nature of the meat, which “turns” around an axis. Similar naming conventions apply to the Turkish döner and the Greek gyro, both of which reference the turning action of the associated cooking mechanism.

The vitamins and minerals you can get from eating shawarma are: Vitamin A – Vital for good eyesight, maintaining a healthy immune system, and promoting healthy skin. Vitamin C – The carrots, tomatoes, and cabbage in shawarma are a source of vitamin C, which promotes many body functions.

Tahini sauce: Undoubtedly the most popular option to top your shawarma is tahini sauce. This sesame based sauce is a staple in Middle Eastern cooking and very easy to make at home.

Shawarma is often served in a fresh, warm flatbread right out of an oven. (By all means, make some fresh pita, if you want! But if you're not going to do that, use a warmed-up pita from the store.)

What's the difference between gyro and shawarma? ›

Gyro is savory with a hint of sweetness and garlic, while Shawarma has a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade. To add flavor and texture, both dishes can be topped with various sauces, pickles, and vegetables. The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used.

Shawarma is the Arabic rendition of the Turkish word çevirme which means 'turning'. The cevirme refers to the vertical rotisserie which turns meat that has been cut in thin slices and stacked in a cone-like shape. The Ottoman Turks who invented this popular street-food called it döner kebab .

Shawarma is a Levantine dish with a rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Turkey and Lebanon.

If the meat used in Shawarma and Rolls is not cooked to the appropriate temperature or kept at safe temperatures during storage and serving, harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Campylobacter can proliferate, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

Shawarma is made by alternately stacking strips of fat and pieces of seasoned meat on a vertical spit. An onion, a tomato, or a halved lemon is sometimes placed at the top for decoration. The meat is roasted slowly on all sides as the spit rotates in front of, or over, a flame for hours.

A Middle Eastern staple, shawarma seasoning is made with a unique combination of spices including cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It's bold, bright, and unbelievably delicious. If you've never had it, you're in for a serious treat! All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a bowl, and they're good to go.