Handmade shawarma

Handmade Shawarma: A Delicacy at Home

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Who doesn't love shawarma? This delicacy, often associated with fast food, can be made at home in a healthy, tasty, and most importantly, customized way according to your preferences. With a simple recipe for the flatbreads, a rich filling, and a delicious sauce, homemade shawarma is sure to become a family favorite.

A bit of history

Shawarma has become popular worldwide, but its origins are deeply rooted in older culinary traditions. Over the years, it has evolved and numerous variations have been created, each with its unique ingredients. Whether you prefer it with chicken, beef, or turkey, shawarma is an explosion of flavors and textures, combining fresh ingredients with savory sauces.

Ingredients for the Arabic flatbread

- 300 ml milk (provides elasticity to the dough)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 600 g flour
- 7 g dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar

Ingredients for the filling

- 1/2 turkey breast
- 4 medium potatoes
- 4-5 pickled cucumbers
- 1 pickled bell pepper
- salt, pepper, paprika, coriander, oregano, rosemary (all dried)
- 4 tablespoons oil

Ingredients for the sauce

- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- salt to taste
- 100 ml oil
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- 200 ml yogurt
- hot ketchup (optional, for serving)

Step by step: Preparing Handmade Shawarma

1. Preparing the flatbreads
Start by preparing the dough for the flatbreads. In a bread machine, add the ingredients in the following order: milk, salt, oil, flour, dry yeast, and sugar. Using milk instead of water will give you a softer and more elastic texture. If you don’t have a bread machine, you can knead the dough by hand and then let it rise in a warm place covered with a clean towel.

2. Marinating the turkey breast
While the dough is rising, prepare the turkey breast. Cut it into strips and mix it in a bowl with salt, pepper, paprika, coriander, oregano, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons of oil. Cover it and let it marinate in the fridge for about an hour. Marinating helps intensify the flavors and tenderize the meat.

3. Preparing the vegetables
Peel the potatoes and slice them. You can cut the cucumbers and bell pepper into thin strips. These vegetables will add a crunchy and fresh note to your shawarma.

4. Baking the ingredients
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Place the turkey breast slices and potatoes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, drizzling them with a little oil halfway through to achieve a golden and delicious crust.

5. Forming the flatbreads
Once the dough has risen, remove it from the machine and place it on a floured surface. Divide it into 12 balls, allowing them to rise for 10 minutes. They will increase in volume, becoming fluffier. Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin shape, about 3-4 mm.

6. Cooking the flatbreads
Heating a non-stick pan, cook each flatbread for a few minutes on each side until they become slightly golden. Keep them warm covered with a towel to prevent drying out.

7. Preparing the sauce
In a bowl, add the egg, mustard, salt, and oil, then mix with a hand mixer until you obtain a smooth mayonnaise. Add the pressed garlic and yogurt, mixing well to combine the flavors.

8. Assembling the shawarma
On a platter, place a flatbread and spread it with the prepared sauce. Add the slices of turkey breast, baked potatoes, cucumbers, and bell pepper. While rolling the flatbread, ensure all ingredients are well wrapped. You can serve it with hot ketchup for an extra flavor boost.

Tips and useful advice

- If you don’t have time to make flatbreads from scratch, you can use store-bought flatbreads.
- Experiment with spices according to your preferences; add chili peppers for a spicy taste or cheese for a creamy note.
- Give your shawarma a Mediterranean twist by adding olives or feta.
- You can replace the turkey breast with chicken or even vegetables for a vegetarian version.

Nutritional benefits

This handmade shawarma is a healthier option compared to those from restaurants, as the ingredients are fresh and not fried in oil. Turkey breast is an excellent source of protein, and the vegetables provide valuable fiber and vitamins. Additionally, the yogurt-based sauce offers a lighter alternative to classic mayonnaise.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use other types of meat?
Yes, you can replace the turkey breast with chicken or beef, depending on your preferences.

2. How can I store the flatbreads?
Flatbreads can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and can be reheated in a pan or oven.

3. Can I use store-bought mayonnaise?
Of course! If you prefer, you can use store-bought mayonnaise, but homemade sauce adds a fresh taste.

4. How can I customize the shawarma?
Add your favorite ingredients, such as avocado, feta cheese, or different sauces for a unique experience.

Serving and accompaniment

Your handmade shawarma can be served with a portion of green salad or sauerkraut for a contrast of flavors. Additionally, a refreshing drink, such as iced mint tea or natural juice, can perfectly complement the meal.

I encourage you to try this recipe at home and enjoy the delights of a shawarma made with love! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: My shawarma is 100% homemade! I know you will say it’s a fast-food product, but it’s ultra-mega-super delicious. I assure you! Eating shawarma once a month won’t do any harm, and our taste buds will enjoy it along with us. And there’s nothing fried in fat; everything is baked. Try it, and you won’t regret it! - for the Arabic bread 300 ml milk 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons oil 600 g flour 7 g dry yeast 1 teaspoon sugar - for the filling 1/2 turkey breast 4 potatoes 4-5 pickles 1 pickled bell pepper salt pepper paprika coriander oregano rosemary 4 tablespoons oil - for the sauce 1 egg 1 teaspoon mustard salt 100 ml oil 2-3 cloves garlic 200 ml yogurt hot ketchup