How to Make Beef Shawarma at Home: Easy Shawarma Recipe

• 2 allspice berries
• 1 teaspoon whole cumin
• 1 teaspoon whole coriander
• 1 teaspoon whole black pepper
• 1 whole cardamom pod
• ½ teaspoon ground paprika
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, plus more to taste
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 1 cup lemon juice, divided
• ¼ cup olive oil, plus more if needed
• 6 garlic cloves, minced, divided
• 2 pounds fatty steaks such as ribeye or flank steak
• ¼ cup tahini paste
• Pita bread or rice, to serve (optional)
• Pickles, such as pickled turnips or lemon juice and sumac-marinated onions, to serve (optional)
• Shredded lettuce, to serve (optional)
• Sliced tomatoes, to serve (optional)

1. 1

   The day before you plan to cook, make the shawarma spice mix. In a small pan over low heat, gently toast the whole spices until fragrant. Remove from the heat and grind with a spice grinder, coffee grinder, or mortar and pestle. Combine ground whole spices with ground spices.

2. 2

   Make the marinade. In a large container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the shawarma seasoning with 1 teaspoon salt, vinegar, ½ cup lemon juice, olive oil, and half of the minced garlic. Marinate the steaks overnight.

3. 3

   When you’re ready to make the shawarma, preheat the oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the steaks in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet, and discard any extra marinade. Bake the steaks until tender, about 2 hours. Once the meat is tender, remove from the oven and let cool, about 10 minutes.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, make the tahini sauce. In a small bowl, combine tahini, lemon juice, the remaining minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add water if needed to achieve a pourable consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

5. 5

   In a griddle or large skillet over high heat, cook the steaks until slightly browned and crispy, about 3 minutes per side. Let rest 10 minutes, then cut into thin slices.

6. 6

   Serve beef shawarma over rice or with pita bread, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes, and drizzle with tahini sauce.

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