Make your own shawarma spice blend and use it with a variety of meats, including chicken, beef, lamb, ground beef, or even green beans.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Spice Blend
- Authentic Flavor . Delivers the warm, aromatic taste of Middle Eastern shawarma right from your own kitchen.
- Customizable Heat Level . Easily adjust the spice and salt to suit your personal preferences.
- Versatile Use . Perfect for seasoning chicken, beef, lamb, tofu, or even roasted vegetables and rice.
- No Preservatives or Additives . Made entirely from clean, pantry-staple ingredients.
Homemade Shawarma Spice Blend is a simple, fresh, and flavorful way to elevate everyday meals with bold Middle Eastern taste and total control over your ingredients.
What Is Shawarma Spice?
I use this shawarma spice for many different dishes on my blog such as the Chicken Shawarma , the ever-popular Shawarma Ground beef and rice, green beans shawarma , as well as a low carb ground beef shawarma recipe I’m about to write up.
It’s really easy, tasty, and keeps well, so feel free to double, triple, or quadruple the recipe if you want and use it liberally.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what each ingredient is used for when making a Homemade Shawarma Spice Blend, including quantities and their roles in creating that signature flavor:
- 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano - Adds a subtle herbal note that balances the warmth of the other spices. It brings freshness and a slight bitterness that enhances savory meats and vegetables.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon - Contributes a warm, slightly sweet aroma that gives shawarma its distinctive Middle Eastern depth. It rounds out the savory and spicy elements beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice - Offers a complex blend of flavors reminiscent of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon. It deepens the seasoning’s richness and adds warmth to the overall blend.
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper - Introduces a gentle heat and a hint of smokiness. You can adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin - Provides an earthy, nutty flavor that forms the backbone of many Middle Eastern spice blends. It adds warmth and complexity.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander - Adds a bright, slightly citrusy flavor that lightens up the blend and complements the cumin perfectly.
- 1–2 teaspoons Salt - Enhances all the other spices, tying the flavors together and ensuring the seasoning fully penetrates the meat or vegetables.
How To Make Shawarma Spice
I feel silly listing this as a recipe, but the spices mixed alone are enough for a little help.
Here’s what I do when I create my own Shawarma Spice:
- In a clean coffee grinder , grind together all the spices, and store them in a cool, dark place.
That’s right, one step. Put them all in a grinder and keep them in a cool, dark area like a spice cabinet or root cellar.
Tips And Tricks
Making your own Homemade Shawarma Spice Blend is a simple way to bring bold Middle Eastern flavors to your kitchen. With the right balance of warm, earthy, and aromatic spices, you can elevate everything from meats and veggies to rice and sauces. Here are some helpful tips and tricks to make the perfect blend every time:
- Use Fresh Spices . The freshness of your spices makes all the difference. Older spices lose potency over time, so try to use ones that are less than six months old for the best aroma and flavor.
- Mix Thoroughly . Ensure the spices are well blended so every scoop delivers consistent flavor. Shaking or whisking in a bowl works well.
- Store Properly . Keep your spice blend in an airtight container away from light and heat.
Variations
Homemade Shawarma Spice Blend is incredibly versatile, and you can easily tailor it to your taste or the dish you’re preparing. Whether you prefer a spicier kick, a smokier flavor, or a milder, aromatic blend, there are endless ways to customize it. Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Spicy - Add an extra ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for more heat. You can also mix in a pinch of chili powder for a layered, smoky spice.
- Smoky - Substitute smoked paprika for regular paprika, and add a touch of ground chipotle or smoked salt to give the blend a rich, smoky depth that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
- Citrusy - Add 1 teaspoon of ground coriander and a little grated lemon zest or dried lemon peel for a bright, zesty flavor that complements chicken or fish.
What Do You Use It For?
The possibilities for this spice blend are abundant. It adds so much flavor and can transform a bland recipe into something amazing when you’re short on ingredients.
Here are a few of my favorite things to make with this blend:
- Shwarma Green Beans
- Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Shawarma
- Low Carb Beef Shawarma
How Long Does It Last?
While it may be flavorful for much longer, for the best Shawarma Spice Blend, use this within 6 months of grinding it at home.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes, you can freeze homemade shawarma spice blend, although it’s usually not necessary since dry spices have a long shelf life when stored properly. If you live in a humid climate or want to preserve freshness for an extended period, freezing can help maintain the flavor and aroma.
To freeze it, place the spice blend in an airtight, freezer-safe container or a resealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Store it away from moisture and light, and it will keep its potency for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready to use it, allow the blend to come to room temperature before opening the container to prevent condensation.
Want To Make More Homemade Spice Blends?
- Egyptian Dukkah
- Lebanese 7 Spice
- Cajun Spice Mix
- Sambhar Masala
- Kafta Kabab Spice Mix
- Ras Al Hanout Spice
- Shawarma Spice Mix
- Dry Sesame Garlic Chutney
- Ethiopian Berbere
- Maharash Trian Goda Masala
- Garama Masala
- Punjabi Garam Masala
- Apple Pie Spice
Shawarma Spice Blend | Homemade Shawarma Seasoning
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- ▢ 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- ▢ 1-2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
Instructions
- In a clean coffee grinder , grind together all the spices, and store in a cool, dark place.
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Shawarma Spice Blend | Homemade Shawarma Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1-2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
Instructions
- In a clean coffee grinder , grind together all the spices, and store in a cool, dark place.
Shawarma Spice Blend | Homemade Shawarma Seasoning https://twosleevers.com/shawarma-spice-mix/
This Low Carb Beef Shawarma with vegetables is an easy, delicious, low carb one-pot meal for your Instant Pot. It’s both flavorful and super family-friendly.
What Makes This Low Carb Beef Shawarma So Great
I have this extremely popular Ground Beef Shawarma with rice recipe that’s very family-friendly as well. Babies and young children seem to be particularly fond of it, which makes me very happy.
But it’s not low carb. At all.
While it’s true you could make that dish with cauliflower rice as I do my low carb chicken biryani , I wanted to do something a little different.
So I made this recipe on a Facebook live video. Yes, I cook live on Facebook most Fridays. And yes, I was foolish enough to make this dish while never having made it before, on a live cooking show.
I’m just lucky it worked out, and boy did it ever. It’s quick, delicious, and very easy to make.
This Beef Shawarma is one of those recipes that you can just throw everything into the Instant Pot and let it do all the work, yet it tastes like something you’ve been slaving over all day. And as long as it’s delicious, who cares how much effort it takes to make it, right?
Now let’s get to cooking…
How To Make Instant Pot Low Carb Beef Shawarma
- Turn your Instant Pot on to Sauté. When it is hot, add in the ground beef and break down the chunks into smaller bits. Your only goal here is to break it down so that it doesn’t cook as one big chunk. You’re not really wasting time browning it (watch this video to understand why not).
- Once you have it broken down, add all other ingredients including the shawarma spice mix.
- You won’t be adding any water to this recipe as the meat and vegetables release enough water on their own.
- Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes and allow it to release pressure naturally for 5 minutes. After this, release all remaining pressure.
- Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce to further increase the fat content (and deliciousness) of the meal.
Why Do You Call This Shawarma?
I get a lot of questions about why I call these dishes shawarma when it’s clearly not just a spit-roasted cylinder of beef and lamb as a shawarma should be. Actually, if you want to know more about this, I wrote a little blurb on what is shawarma in this post.
I called this a Beef Shawarma because I use the same seasonings in this dish as you would in a typical shawarma.
But if you want a typical gyro like shawarma, I have a wonderful set of recipes for that as well. You can make your gyro meat either in the oven with this recipe , or here’s an Instant Pot gyro meat recipe for you.
What Is Shawarma Spice Made Of?
The shawarma spice mixture I’m using for this Beef Shawarma recipe includes dried oregano, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, cayenne, ground cumin, ground coriander and salt. A shawarma spice mix can vary a little bit from one to another, but it includes most of the same core ingredients.
Tips And Tricks For Making This Low Carb Beef Shawarma
- Don’t own an Instant Pot ? Here’s how to make it on the stove: Cook the ground beef and onions well together. Once they are cooked, add in the other vegetables, add 1/2 cup of water, cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Though you can get away with using store-bought shawarma seasoning, I highly recommend making it yourself . It makes a huge difference in how the dish turns out.
- You can substitute any ground meat of your choice.
- Almost all of my recipes freeze well, but I’d be a little cautious about freezing this one as I fear the veggies will get mushy upon reheating.
Looking For More Ways To Use My Shawarma Spice Mix? Check These Recipes Out!
- Make an authentic Chicken Shwarma in your Instant Pot with just a few spices. It’s low carb, high protein, and keto-friendly!
- These Shawarma Green Beans are a light and flavorful side dish that can be made right in your Air Fryer. They’re ready for the table in just 15 minutes from start to finish!
- This Instant Pot Ground Beef Shwarma and Rice combines ground beef and rice with spices to create a new twist on comfort food and it’s easily made in your pressure cooker!
Low Carb Ground Beef Shawarma
Equipment
- INSTANT POT DUO 6 QUART
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 pound ( 453.59 g ) Lean Ground Beef
- ▢ 1 cup ( 160 g ) Onion , sliced
- ▢ 1 cup ( 149 g ) Red Peppers , thickly sliced
- ▢ 2 cups ( 140 g ) cabbage , chopped into thick chunks
- ▢ 2 tablespoons ( 2 tablespoons ) Shawarma Spice , (see recipe here: https://twosleevers.com/shawarma-spice-mix/)
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ( 1 teaspoon ) Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Turn your Instant Pot on to Sauté. When it is hot, add in the ground beef and break down the chunks into smaller bits. Your only goal here is to break it down so that it doesn’t cook as one big chunk. You’re not really wasting time browning it (watch this video to understand why not).
- Once you have it broken down, add all other ingredients including the shawarma spice mix.
- You won’t be adding any water to this recipe as the meat and vegetables release enough water on their own.
- Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes and allow it to release pressure naturally for 5 minutes. After this, release all remaining pressure.
- Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce to further increase the fat content (and deliciousness) of the meal.
Stovetop Directions
- Cook the ground beef and onions well together, and once they are cooked, add in the other vegetables, add 1/2 cup of water, cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
Tips And Tricks For Making This Low Carb Beef Shawarma
- Don’t own an Instant Pot ? Here’s how to make it on the stove: Cook the ground beef and onions well together. Once they are cooked, add in the other vegetables, add 1/2 cup of water, cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Though you can get away with using store-bought shawarma seasoning, I highly recommend making it yourself . It makes a huge difference in how the dish turns out.
- You can substitute any ground meat of your choice.
- Almost all of my recipes freeze well, but I’d be a little cautious about freezing this one as I fear the veggies will get mushy upon reheating.
