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Appetizing Middle Eastern shawarma with lavash bread, sauces, and fresh vegetables on a plate.

Thinly sliced spiced beef with tahini drizzle

Beef Shawarma

Beef Shawarma

2h 40mMedium

Prep Time

2 hr 10 min

Cook Time

30 min

Total Time

2 hr 40 min

Servings

4

4 servings

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

$$

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Beef Shawarma

Thinly sliced spiced beef with tahini drizzle

Richly spiced beef shawarma sliced thin and served with fluffy rice, creamy tahini, and crunchy pickles. Bold, savory, and deeply satisfying.

130m

Prep Time

30m

Cook Time

160m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain CourseGluten-FreeDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

April 16, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Beef shawarma uses a warmly spiced marinade to transform affordable cuts into tender, flavorful slices. Searing at high heat after slicing gives the signature crispy edges.

Why This Recipe Works

Using a fattier cut like sirloin or chuck ensures the beef stays moist. Slicing thin after initial roasting and then crisping in a skillet creates layers of texture.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs beef sirloin or top round, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp shawarma spice blend
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 onion, sliced into rings
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. 1

    Toss sliced beef with shawarma spices, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Marinate 2 hours or overnight.

  2. 2

    Spread beef and onion rings on a sheet pan. Roast at 425°F for 15-18 minutes until browned.

  3. 3

    Transfer to a hot skillet and sear over high heat for 2-3 minutes to crisp the edges.

  4. 4

    Pile onto plates with rice, tahini sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh vegetables.

  5. 5

    Garnish with fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon, and hot sauce if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping

  • Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil

  • Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

Substitutions

Beef sirloinLamb leg, thinly sliced

More traditional Middle Eastern flavor

Shawarma spiceCumin + coriander + paprika + allspice

A quick homemade blend

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

  • Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
  • Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Freeze the beef for 30 minutes to make slicing paper-thin much easier.

  • Crisp the edges in a very hot skillet for the best shawarma texture.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days in a sealed container.

Reheating

Reheat in a hot skillet to re-crisp. Avoid microwaving.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (100mg) · 4 servings

Calories380
LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein38g
Carbohydrates20g
Fat6g
Fiber450mg
Sugar1g
Sodium2g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of beef is best?
Sirloin or top round sliced thin work best. Rib-eye is a premium option.
How do I slice it thin?
Partially freeze the beef for 30 minutes, then slice against the grain as thin as possible.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-Free RecipesDairy-Free RecipesStovetop RecipesOven Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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