Using my knowledge of spices and vegan proteins, we’re creating the ultimate vegan shawarma recipe that’s so easy to make!
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The secret to incredible vegan shawarma is shredding or grating your tofu. Okay, you also need the perfect blend of spices.
But don’t worry, we’ve combined everything that you need to know in this simple, easy-to-follow guide that you have you immediately add this to your meal rotation!
What is Shawarma?
Shawarma is a popular street food known throughout the Middle East and dates back to at least the 19th century. Thin slices of meat are stacked on an inverted cone and then roasted vertically as the machine slowly turns.
Typically meats such as lamb, beef, and chicken are used and seasoned prior to being cooked. Commonly it is served in a flatbread, like pita, or as a sandwich. Vegetables are served with it, as well as a garlic sauce (toum) or tahini sauce.
We do not claim ours is a traditional method or variations, but rather work hard to ensuring there are vegan options for people who enjoy them.
Jump to:
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant Quality – With the cooking technique and spice blend, you’ll be shocked at how great this is.
- Easy – This dish takes just a few minutes to toss together and then it’s just waiting on it to finish cooking
- Meal Prep – This dish tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep!
🥘Recipe Ingredients
Gather your ingredients!
- Tofu – this is our protein in the dish. The shredding tofu gives us a great texture while also being able to take on any flavor
- Dried Spices – we’re using cumin, coriander, cardamom, smoked paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
- Lemon – not only does the lemon help with flavor, but it also helps the tofu crisp up in the oven
- Garlic – adding in some fresh flavor and helps to build layers
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Recipe FAQs:
While we haven’t tried, we do think that this would work well with shredded jackfruit. Otherwise, this recipe is Top 9 Allergen friendly.
Yes! Once cooled, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Yes, this dish is good for 3-5 days after it’s made. Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge when not using.
Other Dishes to Try:
🥳 Get the Full Recipe
The Best Vegan Shawarma
Ingredients
- 2 14 oz blocks extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
- 6 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 4 teaspoons ground coriander
- 4 teaspoons ground cardamom
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes more or less to taste
Optional Shawarma Pita Toppings
- pita bread
- cherry tomatoes, halved
- mini cucumbers, thinly sliced
- sumac onions, recipe below
- tahini sauce, recipe below
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450˚F. Prep baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Shred your block of tofu into pieces. Place in a large bowl. Add in the oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and all the spices. Toss together until well combined.
- Spread out into a single layer. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Add to pita with toppings or use as desired.
Notes
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup tahini
- 1 clove garlic, mined
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- water, as needed
Video
Did you make and love this recipe?
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Excellent flavor, simple and also was good heated up the next day. Loved the red onion garnish – also used it on our avocado toast the next morning (BONUS) Thank you
oh love the idea of this on avocado toast! Amazing idea
Full of flavor, I was pleasantly surprised that the family also enjoyed it. I didn’t have just sumac so used Za’atar… those onions were the star of the show. Don’t forget the tahini, the creaminess balances out the onions and spices. Thank you for another amazing recipe!
You’re so welcome, so glad you enjoyed. The za’atar was a great swap idea
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I really want to like tofu because it’s so affordable and an easy way to get protein in, but I just haven’t been able to make it palatable…. until tonight when I made this. The flavor was incredible and the texture was perfect! This got an immediate add to the dinner rotation!
Love that you still gave it a try and it was a hit for you! I hope you continue to find tofu recipes you like!
I thought this recipe was outstanding. I love the bold flavors and all the seasoning and the sumac onions are delicious. I think the only mistake I made is I overcooked the tofu because it was a bit dry and I ended up adding more olive oil and lemon.
Glad you enjoyed!
This is really good even as just a salad. I didn’t have pita, so just made the tofu and the onions and dressing then added it all to a bed of greens and topped with tomato. Can’t wait to try it in a pita someday. ☺️
Agree so much!
I made this dish with a soy free tofu, it was delicious 😋 I forgot to take a picture. I love it .
Love that you had success with a soy free tofu!
Though I didn’t make the sumac onions, I did make the shawarma filling and the tahini sauce. Both were excellent. The spice combination was great. My grocery stores do not carry pitas worth eating so I had to make my own a couple of days in advance. Otherwise I could have bought some from a local gyro restaurant. Thanks for the recipe. I will absolutely be making this again — hard to stop eating it!
So happy you enjoyed everything!