# Turkish Shawarma at Home: The Original Flavour

> Turkish shawarma is chicken or beef sliced thin and marinated in olive oil, yoghurt, lemon, vinegar, garlic and Turkish shawarma spices for at least an hour — four to six is better — then seared in a hot pan and served in warm flatbread with tahini sauce and salad.

**Turkish Cuisine · 390 min · 6 servings · 370 kcal per serving**

Turkish shawarma is one of the best-loved dishes to come out of Turkey, and it has travelled widely for good reason: a rich marinade, a distinctive spice blend, and a method simple enough to do properly at home. Here's how to get the real thing with everyday ingredients.

## Ingredients

- 1 kg — chicken breast
- 2 tbsp — olive oil
- 2 tsp — Turkish shawarma spice
- 1 tsp — paprika
- 1 tsp — ground coriander
- 1 tsp — cumin
- 1 tsp — black pepper
- 2 cloves — garlic, chopped
- ½ cup — yoghurt
- 2 tbsp — lemon juice
- 1 tbsp — vinegar
- salt, to taste
- ½ cup — tahini
- 2 tbsp — lemon juice
- 1 tsp — chopped garlic
- 2 tbsp — warm water
- salt, to taste

### To serve
- Arabic or Levantine flatbread
- sliced tomato
- sliced pickled cucumber
- chopped onion
- fresh leaves such as rocket or lettuce

## Method

1. **Marinate the meat** — In a large bowl, mix the olive oil with the Turkish spices — you can make your own blend from cumin, coriander, paprika and black pepper — along with the yoghurt, lemon juice, vinegar, chopped garlic and salt. Add the chicken or beef and turn it until fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour; four to six hours gives a much better result.
2. **Cook it** — Heat a pan over medium heat with a spoon of oil. Add the marinated meat and stir well. Cook it through, turning occasionally so it browns on all sides. Once it's tender and caramelised at the edges, you can toss it with fresh tomato and pickled cucumber.
3. **The sauce** — In a small bowl, mix the tahini with the lemon juice and chopped garlic. Add the warm water gradually until you reach the consistency you want. Season with salt, adding more water if you'd like it looser.
4. **Assemble** — Warm the flatbread on a grill or in a pan for a minute or two until soft. Spread the meat over the bread, then add the sauce. Finish with sliced tomato, pickled cucumber and chopped onion, plus rocket or lettuce for freshness.

## Tips

- Use fresh chicken or trimmed lean beef for the best flavour.
- Cook over medium heat rather than high — high heat dries the meat out.
- The tahini sauce can be made in advance and kept in the fridge.
- Go easy on the sauce when you fill the bread, or the wrap turns greasy.

## FAQ

### Can I use something other than chicken?
Yes — beef or lamb both work, depending on what you prefer.

### Can I prepare it in advance?
You can marinate the meat ahead and keep it in the fridge or freezer, but it's best cooked fresh.

### Can I use a different sauce?
Yes — mayonnaise or a yoghurt sauce both work instead of tahini.

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Source: https://hanakoleah.com/en/turkish-cuisine/turkish-shawarma-at-home-recipe
Edited by: Marwa Mohamed
Last updated: 2026-10-29