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Sliced lamb shawarma with yogurt sauce and fresh mint

Aromatic spiced lamb slices with garlic yogurt

Lamb Shawarma

Lamb 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

Premium

$$$

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Lamb Shawarma

Aromatic spiced lamb slices with garlic yogurt

Richly spiced lamb shawarma roasted until tender and crisped at the edges, served with garlic yogurt and fresh herbs. The most flavorful of all shawarma meats.

130m

Prep Time

30m

Cook Time

160m

Total Time

4

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Premium $$$

Cost

Mediterranean CuisineMain CourseGluten-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

April 17, 2023(Updated April 13, 2026)

Lamb shawarma is the king of shawarma—its natural richness pairs perfectly with warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, and cardamom. The fat renders during roasting, basting the meat in flavor.

Why This Recipe Works

Lamb leg has the ideal balance of lean meat and fat for shawarma. High-heat roasting renders the fat and crisps the edges while keeping the interior juicy and tender.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs boneless lamb leg, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp shawarma spice blend with extra cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp yogurt
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. 1

    Combine spices, olive oil, yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, and salt. Coat lamb slices and marinate 2-4 hours.

  2. 2

    Spread lamb on a sheet pan in a single layer. Roast at 425°F for 15-18 minutes until browned and sizzling.

  3. 3

    Crisp in batches in a smoking-hot skillet for 1-2 minutes for charred edges.

  4. 4

    Slice any thick pieces thinner. Pile onto flatbread or plates.

  5. 5

    Serve with garlic yogurt, pickles, sliced tomato, and a drizzle of tahini.

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

Lamb legBeef sirloin

Less rich but still excellent with shawarma spices

Yogurt in marinadeLemon juice (extra tbsp)

Dairy-free option for tenderizing

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

  • Ask your butcher to slice the lamb leg thin, or freeze and slice at home.

  • Don't crowd the sheet pan—the lamb should sear, not steam.

Storage

Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Best re-crisped in a hot skillet or on a grill.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (120mg) · 4 servings

Calories400
LowModerateHigh

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

Protein36g
Carbohydrates26g
Fat4g
Fiber460mg
Sugar0g
Sodium1g

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is lamb shoulder okay?
Yes, though it's fattier. It works well but trim excess fat before slicing.
What side dishes go with lamb shawarma?
Rice pilaf, hummus, fattoush salad, and pickled vegetables are classic accompaniments.

Explore More

More Mediterranean RecipesMore Main CourseGluten-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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