Recipe: Shawarma According to an Authentic Israeli Recipe (So Delicious!)

I can always go for a shawarma sandwich. At night when I’m in a certain state, sure. But even better completely sober, so I can enjoy it even more. Did you know that making your own shawarma platter isn’t difficult at all? And with this authentic Israeli recipe, it’s unbelievably delicious too.

Shawarma was first prepared in the Middle East in the 19th century and has since been adopted by many different cultures around the world, including Israel. There, it is even one of the best-known and most beloved street food dishes. In Israel, they believe that nowhere in the world can you eat better shawarma than in Israel itself.

A typical Israeli shawarma consists of slices of seasoned meat cut from a vertical spit, falling into a soft pita bread, garnished with an Israeli salad (made with cucumber, tomato, spring onions and pickles) and served with hummus, tahini or (my favorite) pickled mango.

Top tips from chef Arik Rosenthal

Feeling hungry yet? Put on your kitchen apron, because Arik Rosenthal, from the popular Hakosem restaurant in Tel Aviv, shares his top tips for making the most delicious shawarma in your own kitchen.

For the real Israeli flavor, make your own shawarma spice mix and massage it thoroughly into the meat. Serve your pita bread nice and warm. Drink cold lemonade with your shawarma for the ultimate taste experience. Serve the shawarma on a plate, decorated with tahini and an Israeli salad.

Ingredients for 4 servings

You will need:
500 grams boneless turkey thighs
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon shawarma spices (if you can’t easily find these, follow the recipe below)
Tomato
Spring onion
Pickle
Lettuce
Tahini

Shawarma spice mix:

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper)
1–2 teaspoons Baharat (you can buy this at the supermarket)

Prefer to make your own Baharat? Use:

1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1½ tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to make Israeli shawarma

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
• Season the meat with the Baharat spice mix and massage it in thoroughly (use some olive oil for this).
• Place the seasoned meat in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• While the meat is cooking, heat olive oil in a pan with some salt and add the shawarma to it shortly.
• Remove the cooked meat from the oven.
• Season the meat again with the shawarma spice mix (if you bought a ready-made spice mix, add a little extra cardamom for that authentic Israeli flavor).
• Stir in the pan until the meat is fully cooked.
• Open the pita breads into two halves, spread fresh crushed tomatoes inside, add some salt, drizzle with olive oil and finally add the shawarma.
• Serve with tahini, pickles and sliced spring onions.

With thanks to: Israel National Tourist Office, image: Hakosem restaurant

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