Shawarma Lamb Salad

Firstly, this Shawarma Lamb Salad features an authentic marinade inspired by the shawarma shops that can be found on every corner of my hometown in Jordan. Instead of the traditional wrap or pita bread, we’ve opted for a fresh and hearty salad that’s both flavorful and healthy. The thinly sliced lamb is marinated with a blend of aromatic spices and then served over a bed of crisp greens and fresh veggies.

To top it off, we’ve added a zesty tahini dressing that perfectly complements the flavors of the shawarma. With only a few simple ingredients, this quick and easy meal is perfect for lunch or dinner and will surely become a new favorite in your recipe collection. If you’re looking for tasty Middle Eastern salad recipes, this shawarma salad is healthy and delicious!

What is shawarma Salad?

When you think of a shawarma recipe, a salad likely doesn’t come to mind. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that shawarma tastes splendid with salad and not just wraps. Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish consisting of thinly sliced meat, typically lamb, chicken, or beef, seasoned with aromatic spices and cooked on a rotating spit. As the meat cooks, it is sliced off in thin strips and served in a wrap or pita bread, along with toppings such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and a variety of sauces like Tahini, tzatziki, or hummus. All of which are classical choices for shawarma salad dressing. Personally, I absolutely love Tahini; it’s one of my favorite Mediterranean salad dressing options. This is why I featured it in this recipe!

Moreover, shawarma is a flavorful and satisfying meal that has gained widespread popularity in the Middle East and other parts of the world. In recent years, many people have started to skip the bread and enjoy the delicious shawarma flavors in a salad, making it a healthy and tasty option for any meal. Due to these factors, shawarma is one of the best middle eastern salad recipes! Check out my homemade shawarma wrap sandwich recipe if you want a different take on shawarma.

What cut of lamb should I use in the shawarma salad?

Additionally, in recent years, lamb has become more widely available in supermarkets. Which is excellent news for people who love its unique flavor and tender texture. When choosing the best cut of lamb for your lamb shawarma salad recipe, there are several options to consider. For this lamb shawarma recipe, one cut that works particularly well is lamb loin. This cut is leaner than other cuts of lamb, making it a great choice for a healthy salad. Also, it’s also easy to find lamb loin that is already cut into thin slices, which is perfect for this Middle Eastern salad recipe.

In addition, another excellent option for this lamb shoulder, which also has tender meat. If you choose a part of the leg, the meat may be tougher. Marinating it for up to 24 hours will help tenderize it. Regardless of the cut you choose. All can benefit from a bit of added fat to make it more tender and flavorful. This is where lamb tallow comes in! This cooking fat is made from the fat of grass-fed lambs and adds a delicious depth of flavor to the dish. You can find lamb tallow on Amazon or at specialty stores like Whole Foods.

Lamb Shawarma Marinade and Customization Options

For the Lamb Marinade, I’ve carefully curated a blend of spices that lend the shawarma its irresistible flavor profile. This harmonious combination includes paprika, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, fenugreek, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Each spice is crucial in creating the aromatic and savory notes that make this dish special.

The lamb loin, thinly sliced and marinated in this flavorful spice blend, is the star of our shawarma. It’s important to note that while these spices provide a traditional and authentic taste, you have the freedom to customize the marinade according to your preferences. Feel free to experiment with different combinations or adjust the spice levels to suit your palate. For those who prefer milder flavors, you can reduce the amount of certain spices or omit them altogether. On the other hand, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can add extra spices to intensify the taste and create your own unique variation.

Flavorful and Healthy Lamb Shawarma Salad

I serve this Middle Eastern salad alongside some other delicious and complementary dishes. For starters, Tunisian couscous is a great option. This hearty and flavorful side dish will add some extra substance to the meal and is perfect for soaking up the flavorful Tahini dressing from the salad. And speaking of dressings, you can’t go wrong with some classic dips like hummus, baba ganoush, or muhammara. Moreover, these dips are perfect for dipping your taboon or pita bread into and are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Needless to say, each of these dips makes for the ideal Middle Eastern salad dressing.

Overall, serving the lamb shawarma salad as the main course is a great idea for any gathering. But with a few complementary dishes on the side, you can take this meal to the next level and really impress your guests. With that said, this recipe for Mediterranean salad is sure to be a delectable crowd-pleaser for any occasion. So get creative, have fun, and enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family!

Achieve the Perfect Balance

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you get the perfect balance. To balance the meal, add some grilled vegetables like asparagus or zucchini. These will add some variety to the plate and give your guests some healthy options to balance out the richness of the lamb and tahini dressing. And if you’re looking for a hearty side dish, why not try a Mediterranean-style potato salad? This dish is packed with flavor and will make a great meal addition.

There you have it!

I hope you like this dish. I’m pleased to say that family and friends often tell me that this is the best lamb salad recipe they’ve tried, which makes me smile! If you want to learn more Mediterranean salad recipes, please feel free to drop me a comment below and let me know which ones!