Pin it Tender spiced beef strips wrapped in warm flatbread with fresh vegetables and a tangy creamy yogurt sauce a Middle Eastern street food classic.
I first tried making shawarma wraps at home after tasting them on vacation in Istanbul and was amazed at how well the flavors came together in my own kitchen.
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: 1/4 tsp optional
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
- Lemon juice: juice of 1 lemon
- Greek yogurt: 200 g (3/4 cup) plain
- Tahini: 1 tbsp
- Garlic clove: 1 finely minced
- Lemon juice: juice of 1/2 lemon
- Fresh parsley: 1 tbsp chopped
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Black pepper: freshly ground to taste
- Flatbreads: 4 large (pita lavash or tortillas)
- Red onion: 1 small thinly sliced
- Tomato: 1 large sliced
- Cucumber: 1/2 sliced into thin strips
- Lettuce: 1 cup shredded
- Fresh mint or parsley leaves: optional
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 beef strips and toss to coat well. Marinate for at least 20 minutes up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- Prepare Yogurt Sauce:
- While the beef marinates mix together Greek yogurt tahini minced garlic lemon juice parsley salt and black pepper in a bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook the Beef:
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated beef in batches for 4 to 6 minutes stirring occasionally until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
- Warm Flatbreads:
- Warm flatbreads in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds until pliable.
- Assemble Wraps:
- Spread a generous spoonful of 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.
Pin it My kids always ask for extra yogurt sauce and love to help assemble their own wraps turning dinner into a fun family event.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crisp white wine mint lemonade or pickled vegetables for extra flavor. Pair with roasted potatoes or a simple tomato salad for a complete meal.
Substitutions
Chicken or lamb can be used instead of beef. For dairy-free use coconut yogurt for the sauce and gluten-free wraps are available for dietary needs.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls large skillet or grill pan chefs knife cutting board spoon or spatula all make preparation quick and mess-free.
Pin it These wraps are delicious portable and packed with flavor ideal for busy nights or casual gatherings.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How long should the beef marinate for best flavor?
Marinate the beef for at least 20 minutes, but for deeper flavor, let it rest up to 2 hours.
- → Can I substitute the beef with other proteins?
Yes, chicken or lamb makes excellent alternatives with similar grilling times and seasoning.
- → What type of flatbreads work best for the wraps?
Pita, lavash, or large tortillas are all suitable options that hold the filling well.
- → How can I adjust the yogurt sauce consistency?
If the sauce is too thick, add a little lemon juice or water to reach desired creaminess.
- → Are these wraps suitable for a quick meal?
Yes, the preparation and cooking take about 40 minutes total, making it ideal for a flavorful, fast meal.
- → What spices are essential in this beef preparation?
Cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, and cinnamon provide the distinctive warm and earthy flavor profile.