Rooster Shawarma

What’s Shawarma?

Shawarma is a Center Japanese dish consisting of thinly sliced meat—sometimes lamb, beef, or rooster—that’s seasoned with spices, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-cooked because it turns. The outer layers are shaved off for serving. Originating from the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey), shawarma advanced from the normal Turkish döner kebab. Right now, shawarma is a preferred road meals throughout the Center East and North Africa, particularly in nations like Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey, and has change into extensively in style in Europe and North America as properly. It’s generally served in pita or flatbread with toppings like tahini, garlic sauce, pickles, and greens.

Making Rooster Shawarma at Residence

However don’t fear—I’m not about to make you stack meat on a vertical rotisserie and slow-turn it like a road meals professional. We’re conserving it easy (and weeknight-friendly) with a deliciously straightforward model cooked proper on the grill—or a grill pan on the stovetop (if you do not have an outside grill). We’ll be serving it the most well-liked method—as a wrap, tucked inside heat pita bread.

Substances & Substitutions

• Rooster: I desire utilizing rooster thighs for shawarma as a result of they keep juicier and extra flavorful than breasts. Thighs can deal with the excessive warmth and longer cooking time with out drying out, providing you with that tender texture that’s key to nice shawarma.
• Different proteins: You might be greater than welcome to modify out the rooster thigh with different proteins like lamb or steak. Use the identical marinade and cooking strategies to organize it. For a seafood model, change the rooster with the identical quantity of shrimp. You’ll solely have to marinate it for half-hour. 
• Varieties of bread: I like making shawarma with pita bread. Do not sweat it if you do not have it! Lavash, tortillas, flatbreads, naan, and even massive items of lettuce are nice substitutes for the pita bread!
• Greek yogurt substitutes: Utilizing common yogurt or bitter cream are good swaps for Greek yogurt for my do-it-yourself tzatziki sauce.
• Spices: I used paprika (smoked or candy), cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (or crushed purple pepper flakes), salt, floor black pepper. It’s also possible to embrace allspice (I didn’t use it but it surely works properly right here – you should use it as an alternative of cinnamon!)
• Tip: the beneath picture depicts each single ingredient you want. Take a screenshot to your procuring record!

Methods to Make Rooster Shawarma – Step-by-Step Images

Be aware: This can be a fast rundown of the recipe, full with useful step-by-step photographs! For the total recipe & directions please scroll all the way down to the recipe card beneath.

• Begin by making ready the marinade. In a big bowl, combine garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest, and olive oil.
• Add the rooster and toss till totally coated. Cowl tightly with plastic wrap pressed instantly onto the floor of the rooster. Let it marinate at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or refrigerate in a single day for deeper taste.

• Put together the tzatziki sauce whereas the rooster marinates. Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, cumin, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir properly, regulate seasoning to style, and put aside.

• When able to cook dinner, convey the rooster to room temperature if it was refrigerated.
• Warmth a grill or grill pan over excessive warmth and brush with impartial oil. Prepare dinner the rooster for about 3–4 minutes per aspect with out transferring it, so that you get good grill marks. As soon as cooked by way of, switch to a plate, cowl with foil, and let relaxation for five–10 minutes.
• Non-compulsory: grill your pita bread for 15–30 seconds per aspect for further taste and char.

• To assemble, unfold a spoonful of hummus on heat pita bread, then layer with tzatziki, sliced grilled rooster, cucumbers, tomatoes, and purple onion. Wrap in parchment if desired and dig in!

Methods to Serve Rooster Shawarma

• Wrap Model: I wish to serve rooster shawarma sliced in heat pita or flatbread, layered with hummus, tzatziki (or garlic sauce), cucumbers, tomatoes, purple onion, and generally pickles. Wrapping it in parchment makes it simpler to deal with and ideal for grabbing on the go.
• Bowl Model: For a bowl model, I skip the pita and layer every little thing over a mattress of rice or combined greens. I high it with the sliced rooster, a giant dollop of tzatziki, chopped veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil or further lemon juice. It’s simply as satisfying and nice for meal prep, too. And excellent news? I have already got a bowl model prepared for you, I simply have to publish it! Keep tuned!

Facet Dish Suggestions

• Cilantro-Lime Black Bean Rice
• Mediterranean Lemon Rice with Chickpeas
• Greek Salad
• Orzo Salad
• Greek Pasta Salad