Beef Shawarma Recipe
beef shawarma recipe
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Beef Shawarma Recipe
Beef shawarma recipe is a popular Middle Eastern street food that has made its way to kitchens around the world. This beef shawarma recipe uses tender cuts of beef, marinated in a blend of spices, yogurt, garlic, and olive oil to create a juicy and flavorful result. It’s then cooked on a grill or stovetop, giving you that classic crispy edge. Serve it with a variety of toppings like fresh veggies, tahini, garlic sauce, and pickles for an authentic experience.
Description:
Beef shawarma recipe is a savory, aromatic dish beloved in Middle Eastern cuisine and beyond. Originating from the Levant region, shawarma is typically made with lamb, chicken, or beef, marinated with a rich mix of spices, then grilled or roasted to perfection. The beauty of beef shawarma lies in its versatility, as it can be enjoyed in wraps, pita bread, or bowls, accompanied by flavorful dips and toppings.
This beef shawarma recipe combines classic shawarma spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, and turmeric. These spices create a deep, warm flavor profile that pairs perfectly with the rich, tender beef. The marinade also includes yogurt, which not only tenderizes the beef but also adds a creamy texture.
In this recipe, we use beef sirloin or flank steak, two cuts that are tender enough to hold up to the grilling process while offering great flavor. The key to making perfect Beef shawarma recipe at home is marinating the beef for several hours to allow the spices to deeply penetrate the meat, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor.
When grilling or pan searing the beef, you want to ensure that it gets a nice crispy exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender. The result is a dish that is flavorful, satisfying, and bursting with savory goodness.
Serve this Beef shawarma recipe with fresh pita bread, a side of crispy fries, a drizzle of garlic sauce, and a few slices of crunchy pickles for an authentic street food experience. You can also add fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions for an extra burst of freshness.
Whether you’re making this dish for a family dinner or a casual gathering, this homemade beef shawarma recipe will surely impress with its vibrant flavors and satisfying textures.
Ingredients:
For the Beef Shawarma Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
For Serving:
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Garlic sauce or tahini (optional)
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Pickles (optional)
- Fresh parsley (optional)
- Sliced onions (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, yogurt, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt. Whisk until fully mixed and smooth.
- Marinate the Beef: Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade and toss to coat. Ensure that each piece is covered in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
- Preheat Your Grill or Skillet: If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium high heat. If using a stovetop, heat a cast iron skillet or frying pan over medium high heat.
- Cook the Beef: Once your grill or pan is hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Grill or sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the beef is browned on the edges but still tender inside. Avoid overcrowding the pan, and cook in batches if necessary.
- Assemble the Shawarma: Warm your pita bread or flatbreads on the grill or in a dry skillet for a few seconds. Layer with the cooked beef, and then add your favorite toppings like garlic sauce, tahini, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and fresh parsley.
- Serve: Serve immediately with a side of crispy fries, a fresh salad, or a simple cucumber and tomato salad.
Notes:
- Choosing the Beef: While beef sirloin or flank steak are great options, you can also use rib eye steak or skirt steak for even more flavor. Just ensure you slice the beef thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Marinating Time: The longer you marinate the beef, the more flavorful it will be. Aim for at least 2 hours, but overnight marination is ideal for the best results.
- Cooking Method: If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook the beef in a hot skillet. Just make sure to get a good sear on the beef for that delicious crispy edge.
- Customizing Your Shawarma: Feel free to add your own toppings to make your shawarma unique! You can try adding grilled vegetables, shredded lettuce, or a drizzle of tahini for extra creaminess.
Beef Shawarma Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Beef Shawarma Marinade:
- 1 lb 450g beef sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- For Serving:
- Pita bread or flatbreads
- Garlic sauce or tahini optional
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced cucumbers
- Pickles optional
- Fresh parsley optional
- Sliced onions optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, yogurt, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, allspice, black pepper, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt. Whisk until fully mixed and smooth.
- Marinate the Beef: Add the thinly sliced beef to the marinade and toss to coat. Ensure that each piece is covered in the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
- Preheat Your Grill or Skillet: If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. If using a stovetop, heat a cast-iron skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Beef: Once your grill or pan is hot, add the marinated beef in a single layer. Grill or sear for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the beef is browned on the edges but still tender inside. Avoid overcrowding the pan, and cook in batches if necessary.
- Assemble the Shawarma: Warm your pita bread or flatbreads on the grill or in a dry skillet for a few seconds. Layer with the cooked beef, and then add your favorite toppings like garlic sauce, tahini, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, and fresh parsley.
- Serve: Serve immediately with a side of crispy fries, a fresh salad, or a simple cucumber and tomato salad.
Notes
- Choosing the Beef: While beef sirloin or flank steak are great options, you can also use rib-eye steak or skirt steak for even more flavor. Just ensure you slice the beef thinly against the grain to maximize tenderness.
- Marinating Time: The longer you marinate the beef, the more flavorful it will be. Aim for at least 2 hours, but overnight marination is ideal for the best results.
- Cooking Method: If you don’t have a grill, you can also cook the beef in a hot skillet. Just make sure to get a good sear on the beef for that delicious crispy edge.
- Customizing Your Shawarma: Feel free to add your own toppings to make your shawarma unique! You can try adding grilled vegetables, shredded lettuce, or a drizzle of tahini for extra creaminess.
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