On a budget? Here’s simple guide on how to make Shawarma at home

Shawarma is a delicious and popular Middle Eastern dish that you can easily make at home without spending a lot of money. 

Here’s a simple guide on how to make shawarma on a low budget, ensuring you enjoy a tasty meal without breaking the bank. 

Ingredients for budget-friendly Shawarma

To make shawarma without spending too much, you’ll need the following affordable ingredients:

• Chicken or Beef: Choose boneless, skinless chicken thighs or beef strips. These cuts are usually cheaper and more flavorful.
• Marinade Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons of yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Flatbreads or Pita Bread: Buy pre-made flatbreads or make your own if you’re up for it.
• Vegetables: Sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
• Sauce: A simple yogurt-based sauce or tahini sauce.

Step-by-step guide to make Shawarma on a budget

1. Marinate the meat

Start by preparing the marinade. In a bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken or beef evenly with the marinade and let it sit for at least an hour, or overnight if possible. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavour.

2. Cook the meat

You don’t need a fancy grill to cook shawarma. You can use a regular frying pan or an oven:

3. Prepare the vegetables and sauce

While the meat is cooking, slice your tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. For the sauce, you can mix yogurt with a little lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. Alternatively, if you prefer tahini sauce, mix tahini with lemon juice, water, garlic, and salt until smooth.

4. Assemble the Shawarma

Once the meat is ready, it’s time to assemble your shawarma:

• Warm your flatbreads or pita bread.
• Spread a generous amount of the sauce on the bread.
• Add the cooked meat, followed by the sliced vegetables.
• Roll up the bread tightly to enclose the filling.

Enjoy your homemade Shawarma

Making shawarma at home is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to customise the flavours to your liking. With this simple guide, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without spending a lot of money.