Save Tender spiced beef strips wrapped in warm flatbread with fresh vegetables and a tangy, creamy yogurt sauce—a Middle Eastern street food classic.
I first tried beef shawarma with friends at a bustling street market, and the flavor-packed wraps instantly became a favorite for entertaining at home.
Ingredients
- Beef: 500 g sirloin or flank steak, thinly sliced
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic cloves: 2, minced
- Ground cumin: 1 tsp
- Ground coriander: 1 tsp
- Ground paprika: 1 tsp
- Ground turmeric: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Cayenne pepper: 1/4 tsp (optional)
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Lemon juice: from 1 lemon
- Greek yogurt: 200 g (3/4 cup)
- Tahini: 1 tbsp
- Garlic clove: 1, finely minced
- Lemon juice: from 1/2 lemon
- Fresh parsley: 1 tbsp, chopped
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Black pepper: freshly ground, to taste
- Flatbreads: 4 large (pita, lavash, or tortillas)
- Red onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
- Tomato: 1 large, sliced
- Cucumber: 1/2, sliced into thin strips
- Lettuce: 1 cup, shredded
- Fresh mint or parsley: leaves, optional
Instructions
- Marinate the beef:
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Add beef and toss to coat. Marinate minimum 20 minutes.
- Prepare the yogurt sauce:
- Mix Greek yogurt, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Chill until serving.
- Cook the beef:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high. Cook beef in batches for 4–6 minutes, stirring, until browned and cooked through.
- Warm the flatbreads:
- Heat flatbreads until soft and pliable in a dry skillet or microwave.
- Assemble wraps:
- Spread yogurt sauce on each flatbread. Top with beef, onion, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and herbs.
- Serve:
- Roll wraps tightly and serve immediately with extra sauce on the side.
Save Making these wraps together has become a favorite family tradition—everyone enjoys building their own and sharing a meal bursting with fresh flavor.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, large skillet or grill pan, chefs knife, cutting board, spoon or spatula.
Allergen Information
Yogurt, tahini, and flatbread contain dairy, sesame, and gluten. Choose wraps carefully if allergies are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Each serving: 480 calories, 22 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, 34 g protein.
Save Enjoy these beef shawarma wraps hot with plenty of creamy sauce and your favorite drinks for a vibrant meal at home.
Recipe Help
- → How long should the beef marinate for best flavor?
Marinate the beef strips for at least 20 minutes; however, letting them rest up to 2 hours allows deeper spice infusion.
- → What type of flatbread works best for these wraps?
Soft pita, lavash, or tortilla flatbreads are ideal, as they are pliable and hold the fillings well.
- → Can the yogurt sauce be prepared in advance?
Yes, prepare the creamy yogurt sauce ahead and refrigerate. This allows flavors to meld for a richer taste.
- → What spices give the beef its characteristic flavor?
Cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper combine to create the warm, aromatic spice profile.
- → Are there alternatives to beef for this dish?
Chicken or lamb can be used as flavorful substitutes while maintaining the essence of the dish.