Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food made by stacking thin slices of marinated meat (usually chicken, beef, lamb, or turkey) on a vertical spit and slow-roasting it for hours. As it cooks, the outer layers are shaved off for serving.
Key Features:
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Meat: Marinated in spices, vinegar, and oil — typically includes garlic, cumin, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon, and cloves.
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Cooking Method: Rotates on a vertical rotisserie, similar to how gyro or doner kebab is cooked.
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Serving Style: The shaved meat is typically wrapped in pita or flatbread with:
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Garlic sauce (toum) or tahini
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Pickles
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Lettuce, tomatoes, onions
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Sometimes fries are stuffed inside the wrap
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Taste:
Savory, juicy, slightly spicy or tangy depending on the marinade — rich, flavorful, and satisfying.
Origin:
Ottoman Empire roots — evolved into different regional styles in Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, and now globally popular.