Easy Shawarma Spice Mix

An easy recipe for how to make a homemade shawarma spice mix with 10 different spices. Keep this blend in the pantry ready for use anytime.

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Jump to:

• 😋Why you’ll love this recipe
• ✔️What You’ll Need
• 🥘Ingredient Notes
• 🔪Step by step guide
• Variations
• Pro Tips
• Serving Suggestions
• ❓FAQ
• 🥘Related recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Community

What is Shawarma Spice Mix?

Shawarma (sha·warr·mah) is a Middle Eastern street sandwich based on the doner kebab, which traditionally is made with thinly sliced (shaved) marinated meat (beef, chicken, lamb) that has been stacked on top of each other on a gyrating vertical skewer.

The marinade consists of various spices which is known as “shawarma spice mix” There are different variations which is generally dependent on location in the Middle East.

I have made a mouthwatering veggie shawarma, using this blend, that is vegan.

😋Why you’ll love this recipe

• This blend is what gives shawarma its full flavoured depth
• A homemade blend of spices is always better on flavour as the spices are typically fresher
• Control the taste of your shawarma, if you don’t like a certain spice, leave it out
• Can be used on a wide range of foods (really good for roasting or grilling)
• Naturally vegan and gluten free. No added sodium or sugars.

✔️What You’ll Need

🥘Ingredient Notes

Here’s the list ground spices in order of quantity needed to make this blend; 

• 1 tablespoon Allspice (بهارحلو - Filful Franjy 7iloo) - also known as Jamaica pepper, pimento, pimento or myrtle pepper. Allspice is a brown berry from the Pimenta dioica. It was given it’s name ‘allspice’ as it resembled the flavouring of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove. 
• 1 tablespoon Coriander (كزبرة - Kizbra)
• 1 tablespoon Cumin (كمون - Kamoon) 
• 1 teaspoon Sumac (السماق - Al Simak) - a sour spice from a red fruit which grows across Asia.
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric (كركم - Kurkam) - a bright yellow rhizome
• 1 teaspoon Paprika (فلفلأحمر filfil ahmar) red pepper
• 1 teapsoon Black pepper (فلفل اسود - Falful aswad) 
• 1 teaspoon Clove (كبشقرنفل - Karinful) - dried flower buds, can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes.
• 1 teaspoon Ginger (زنجبيل - Zanjabil)
• 1 teaspoon Garlic (ثوم thoom)

🔪Step by step guide

Step 1 - In a bowl, combine all ground spices.

Step 2 - Store in an airtight jar in the pantry.

Variations

Shawarma spice can differ between Middle Eastern countries or even families. 

Other spices that have been used include white pepper, cinnamon or various chilli.

Pro Tips

Although ground spices have been used in this recipe, whole spices can be used, and should be used when possible as this will result in better flavours. To use whole spices, you will need to grind them which is easily done in a spice grinder.

Serving Suggestions

The typical use is as a marinade (traditional on chicken, lamb, beef) which is then placed in a shawarma sandwich, I love my delicious vegan shawarma recipe. 

Sprinkle over your favourite vegetables and roast them (potatoes are awesome!)

In a grilled vegetable salad - only a small sprinkle is needed!

❓FAQ

🥘Related recipes

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