Beef Shawarma Salad with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Beef Shawarma Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender spiced beef with fresh vegetables and a creamy tangy sauce. It’s a perfect light meal that brings the rich taste of Middle Eastern shawarma to your kitchen in an easy stir-fry style.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stir fry meat
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 2 teaspoons cardamom
• 2 teaspoons sumac
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 head of lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup small San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the beef stir fry meat in a zip-top bag. Add cumin, paprika, cayenne, minced garlic, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, cardamom, turmeric, and sumac to the bag. Pour in olive oil and lemon juice. Seal the bag and massage the spices, oil, and juice into the meat until evenly coated. Refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 12 hours to marinate.
2. Step 2: Heat a deep sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Add the marinated beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. You may also roast the meat in the oven if preferred.
3. Step 3: While the meat cooks, chop the lettuce and slice the cucumber. Rinse the tomatoes and set all the vegetables aside.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, sumac, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice until smooth and well combined.
5. Step 5: To serve, arrange the chopped lettuce as a bed on each plate. Top with the cooked beef, then add tomatoes and cucumber slices. Drizzle the yogurt sauce over the salad and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro on top before serving.
• Use chicken or lamb instead of beef for a different protein option while keeping the same delicious spices.
• If you prefer a spicier sauce, increase the cayenne pepper slightly in the yogurt mix.
• Serve with warm pita bread on the side to make the salad more filling.

Storage

Store leftover beef shawarma and salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the yogurt sauce refrigerated and give it a good stir before serving again. Reheat the beef gently in a pan or microwave to avoid drying it out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the beef marinade in advance?

Yes, marinating the beef overnight is ideal as it allows the flavors to develop deeply. Just be sure not to marinate for more than 12 hours to keep the meat texture tender.

Is sumac necessary for this recipe?

Sumac adds a distinctive tangy and lemony flavor traditional to shawarma. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with a little lemon zest or omit it, but the authentic taste will be less pronounced.

Beef Shawarma Salad with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 54 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Beef Shawarma Salad recipe features tender, spice-marinated beef stir-fry meat cooked to perfection and served over a fresh bed of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The salad is complemented by a tangy, flavorful yogurt sauce infused with garlic, sumac, and lemon juice, offering a vibrant and healthy meal inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner with rich spice notes and refreshing vegetables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Marinade

• 2 lbs beef stir fry meat
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons turmeric
• 2 teaspoons cardamom
• 2 teaspoons sumac
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Salad

• 1 head of lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup small San Marzano tomatoes
• 1 cucumber, sliced

Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon sumac
• 1/3 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Marinate the Meat: Place the beef stir fry meat in a ziplock bag. Add cumin, paprika, cayenne, minced garlic, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, cardamom, turmeric, and sumac. Pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. Close the bag and massage all ingredients together thoroughly to coat the meat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours to allow the flavors to infuse.
2. Cook the Meat: Heat a deep sauté pan or wok over medium heat. Remove the marinated meat from the fridge and add it to the hot pan. Stir fry the meat until it is browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the meat in the oven if preferred.
3. Prepare the Salad: While the meat cooks, chop the lettuce and slice the cucumber. Wash the San Marzano tomatoes and set all the vegetables aside in a bowl or on a serving plate.
4. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, sumac, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. Stir well to create a smooth, flavorful sauce.
5. Assemble and Serve: Arrange the chopped lettuce on a serving plate and top with the browned beef, tomatoes, and cucumber slices. Drizzle or dollop the spiced yogurt sauce over the top. Serve immediately for a fresh and delicious meal.

Notes

• Marinating the meat for at least one hour enhances the flavor; overnight marination intensifies the spices.
• The stir fry method is used here for quick cooking and convenience, but oven roasting the meat is a good alternative.
• Sumac adds a tangy, lemony flavor essential to authentic shawarma seasoning but can be omitted if unavailable.
• You can adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level according to your taste.
• This salad is best served immediately to maintain the crispness of the vegetables and the juiciness of the meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stir Frying
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keywords: Beef Shawarma Salad, Shawarma recipe, Middle Eastern beef salad, Greek yogurt sauce, spiced beef stir fry