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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
