Save Tender spiced beef strips wrapped in warm flatbread with fresh vegetables and a tangy creamy yogurt sauce—a Middle Eastern street food classic.
I vividly remember my first homemade shawarma night—everyone gathered in the kitchen wrapping their own and swapping stories as we sprinkled on fresh herbs. Bringing this vibrant street food to our home has become a fun delicious tradition.
Ingredients
- Beef sirloin or flank steak: 500 g thinly sliced
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic cloves: 2 minced
- Ground cumin: 1 tsp
- Ground coriander: 1 tsp
- Ground paprika: 1 tsp
- Ground turmeric: 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1/2 tsp
- Cayenne pepper (optional): 1/4 tsp
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Lemon juice: from 1 lemon
- Plain Greek yogurt: 200 g (3/4 cup)
- Tahini: 1 tbsp
- Garlic clove: 1 finely minced
- Lemon juice: from 1/2 lemon
- Chopped fresh parsley: 1 tbsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Flatbreads (pita lavash or tortillas): 4 large
- Red onion: 1 small thinly sliced
- Tomato: 1 large sliced
- Cucumber: 1/2 sliced into thin strips
- Shredded lettuce: 1 cup
- Fresh mint or parsley leaves (optional): as needed
Instructions
- Marinate the beef:
- In a large bowl combine olive oil garlic cumin coriander paprika turmeric cinnamon cayenne salt black pepper and lemon juice. Add the beef strips and toss to coat well. Marinate for at least 20 minutes (up to 2 hours for deeper flavor).
- Prepare the yogurt sauce:
- While the beef marinates in a bowl mix together Greek yogurt tahini minced garlic lemon juice parsley salt and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook the beef:
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium high heat. Cook the marinated beef in batches for 4–6 minutes stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
- Warm the flatbread:
- Warm the flatbreads in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds until pliable.
- Assemble the wraps:
- Spread a generous spoonful of the creamy yogurt sauce on each flatbread. Top with beef onion tomato cucumber lettuce and fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve:
- Roll up the wraps tightly. Serve immediately with extra yogurt sauce on the side.
Save This became a family favorite on busy weeknights—everyone looks forward to building their own wraps for dinner assembly line style around the table.
Serving Suggestions
Try pairing these wraps with pickled vegetables a crisp green salad or a glass of mint lemonade for a refreshing meal.
Swaps and Variations
Chicken or lamb can be used instead of beef—simply follow the same marinade and cooking method for delicious results.
Nutrition Facts
Each serving contains about 480 calories 22 g fat 38 g carbohydrates and 34 g protein making this a satisfying and balanced dish.
Save Build your own wraps for a fun meal and enjoy this street food classic at home tonight.
Recipe Guide
- → How long should the beef marinate?
Marinate the beef strips for at least 20 minutes to infuse flavors, or up to 2 hours for a deeper taste.
- → What kind of flatbread works best?
Use pita, lavash, or tortillas—any soft, pliable flatbread is ideal for wrapping.
- → Can I substitute the beef with other meats?
Yes, chicken or lamb can be used as alternatives with similar marinating and cooking methods.
- → How do I prepare the creamy yogurt sauce?
Mix Greek yogurt with tahini, minced garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning and chill before serving.
- → Are there any common allergens in this dish?
This dish contains dairy from yogurt, sesame from tahini, and gluten from flatbread. Consider gluten-free wraps if needed.