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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Mediterranean Main Courses

    Lamb Shawarma

    Published: Aug 18, 2017 · Modified: Sep 24, 2019 by Marissa Stevens · 21 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Lamb Shawarma served with pickled red onions and tzatziki in the background

    If you've eaten a lamb shawarma from a Mediterranean restaurant, you might think it's too complicated to make at home. I'm here to convince you otherwise! Every component of these pita bread sandwiches is simple to make and delicious on its own, but combine them and you'll have a spectacularly delicious meal.

    Easy recipes to make homemade lamb shawarma.

    Imagine your own homemade pita bread (made with this easy pita bread recipe), warm from the oven, stacked high with crunchy lettuce, silky homemade tzatziki sauce, sweet tangy pickled red onions, tender slices of cumin lamb (or homemade gyro meat) and creamy feta. Is your mouth watering yet?

    Jump to:
    • How to Make Lamb Shawarma
    • Recipe Video
    • Lamb Shawarma
    • 💬 Comments
    Homemade Pita Bread | Easy Cumin Lamb | Homemade Tzatziki Sauce | Quick Pickled Red Onion

    I love the versatility of lamb shawarma components; serve each item separately and let everyone build their own creation. Some people will tear off a bite of pita bread and top it with tzatziki sauce and a sprinkle of pickled red onion. Their next bite might be pita bread topped with lamb and feta. Or they'll skip the pita bread and wrap lamb, tzatziki and pickled onions in a big lettuce leaf. You get the idea: anything goes. And some creamy white bean hummus, Baba Ganoush, and a big Greek Salad would be at home in this spread too.

    Lamb Shawarma with homemade pita bread

    How to Make Lamb Shawarma

    To prepare this meal easily, you need a game plan.

    One day before:

    1. Make your pita bread dough (10-15 minutes) and refrigerate overnight to rise.
    2. Strain yogurt and cucumbers overnight for your tzatziki sauce. (10 minutes)
    3. Make quick pickled red onions. (5 minutes)

    The day of:

    1. Roll out and bake homemade pita with this easy pita bread recipe. (15-20 minutes) Note: Let covered dough come to room temperature before rolling it out.
    2. Finish making tzatziki sauce. (5 minutes)
    3. Prepare Easy Cumin Lamb. (25 minutes)
    4. Make White Bean Hummus (optional but recommended!) (5-10 minutes)

    Recipe Video

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    Lamb Shawarma

    Marissa Stevens
    If you've eaten lamb shawarmas from a Mediterranean restaurant, you might think they're too complicated to make at home. I'm here to convince you otherwise! Every component of these pita bread sandwiches is simple to make and delicious on its own, but combine them and you'll have a spectacularly delicious meal.
    5 from 3 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 688 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pita breads
    • 4 large green leaf lettuce leaves
    • 1 recipe Tzatziki Sauce
    • 1 recipe Quick Pickled Red Onions
    • 1 recipe Easy Cumin Lamb
    • 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled

    Instructions
     

    One Day Ahead:

    • If making homemade pita bread, make dough and refrigerate.
    • Drain yogurt and cucumber as directed in steps 1 and 2 of Tzatziki recipe.
    • Make Quick Pickled Red Onions.

    The Day Of:

    • Roll out and bake pita breads as instructed in recipe.
    • Finish Tzatziki sauce.
    • Prepare Easy Cumin Lamb.

    To Assemble Lamb Shawarmas:

    • Place one lettuce leaf on a pita bread. Spread with a generous amount of tzatziki and top with several rings of pickled red onion. Top with ¼ of the cumin lamb and sprinkle with ¼ of the feta cheese. Repeat with remaining pita breads and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 31gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 2663mgPotassium: 597mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1651IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 272mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword comfort food, easy
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mediterranean Recipes

    • Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Chicken Kabobs in the Oven
    • Pan-Fried Lamb Chops
    • Tabouli Salad

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

      August 24, 2017 at 4:58 pm

      5 stars
      I swear lamb is the most underrated meat! It's so delicious and not gamey at all, despite some people's preconceived notions. Right?!? Anyways, I loooove this shawarma! Talk about flavor!!! I wish we were neighbors because I'd be over stealing all your food! 😉 Until I figure out how to pick up our house and relocate it right next to yours (I'm creepy, I know), I'll have to get in the kitchen and whip this together.. then proceed to stuff my face, because YUM!! Cheers!! Xoxo
      Eeks, almost forgot- pinned!

      Reply
    2. Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness says

      August 22, 2017 at 8:11 pm

      5 stars
      Everything looks wonderful. I am going to have to try your lamb shawarma.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 24, 2017 at 11:56 am

        Thank you, Dawn! I'd love that... 🙂

        Reply
    3. Liz says

      August 21, 2017 at 5:50 pm

      Oh, my gosh! What a feast!! I'm in awe of your fabulous pitas and the amazing lamb filling.Can't wait to try it out!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 24, 2017 at 11:56 am

        Awww...thank you so much, Liz!

        Reply
    4. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      August 21, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      These sound absolutely delicious Marissa! I love each component to the sandwich! Need to get these on my must try list!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 24, 2017 at 11:57 am

        Thanks, Mary! It's fun when all of the components are good on their own and great together too!

        Reply
    5. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      August 21, 2017 at 5:10 am

      5 stars
      This, my friend, is what foodie dreams are made of!!! This is seriously SO good! You know I have to make this one and hubby will love too. I already told him about it 😉 Pinned, of course! Have an awesome week! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 24, 2017 at 11:58 am

        Thank you, my dear!! We have got to get together for dinner some time, don't you think - dinner and a movie that is. 😉

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      August 21, 2017 at 4:55 am

      Oh, I am all about this post, Marissa! I see that you have had a strategy to all of these delicious posts lately...and it comes together for this shawarma post. I love it! Laura and I enjoy going out for Mediterranean food, so I'm thinking I need to try my hand at making this one at home now. Looks and sounds delicious, my friend!!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 24, 2017 at 11:59 am

        haha, you're on to me, David! It was fun to figure out the order of the posts to this ta da!! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Ben Myhre says

      August 20, 2017 at 4:18 am

      This looks fantastic. I am def going to make your pita bread and love love love tzatziki sauce. I like the rest here but have to find a vegetarian substitute on the meat.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 20, 2017 at 10:21 am

        Hi Ben! Thank you. Grilled or pan seared portobello slices seasoned with the cumin lamb spices would be great in this! Or maybe cumin spiced and roasted slabs of cauliflower or zucchini. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Dorothy Dunton says

      August 19, 2017 at 6:55 pm

      Hi Marissa. My mouth is not watering, I'm drooling!! All of these components make a perfect meal for me! The only thing that would make this meal better is if we were sitting down with you and Keith to enjoy it. I will bring wine 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 20, 2017 at 10:22 am

        Dorothy, you crack me up! I agree 100% - would only be better enjoyed at a table with you and Gary!

        Reply
    9. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      August 19, 2017 at 4:06 pm

      I haven't had a shawarma for a looong time. Also, I am even not sure I've ever had a lamb one. Simple yet scrumptious! And never ever hummus can be an optional thing. Well done, Marissa!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 20, 2017 at 10:22 am

        haha, I agree about the hummus! 😉 Thanks, Ben.

        Reply
    10. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      August 19, 2017 at 11:44 am

      Drooling. Shawarma is toooooo good. I could make a meal out of all the toppings alone 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

        Right? Me too... 🙂 Thanks, Kelsie.

        Reply
    11. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      August 18, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      I HAVE to make this!! We love shawarma! You make it look so easy. I just know my husband and I would devour these.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        August 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

        I'm so excited for you to try it, Katherine!

        Reply

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