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Bring the savory, warm, tangy flavor of classic shawarma to your home kitchen with this easy shawarma seasoning recipe. Use it as a dry rub, mix into a marinade, or sprinkle on roasted vegetables the possibilities are endless.
If you crave the fragrant, slightly smoky taste of street-style wraps, this shawarma seasoning recipe will become your shortcut to delicious meals. Crafted from pantry staples cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric and warm spices this blend recreates authentic Middle Eastern flavor without fuss. Make a jar, add it to marinades, or use it to transform roasted veg and grains.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cost-effective – make multiple servings for the price of one small store packet.
- Customizable – easily tweak heat, sweetness, or smokiness to your taste.
- Versatile – works on chicken, beef, lamb, seafood, or vegetables.
- Healthy – made from whole spices with no preservatives or fillers.
- Convenient – mixes in minutes and stores well for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients for the Shawarma Seasoning Recipe
- Preparation Time
5 minutes - Cooking Time
– - Serves
roughly 12–16 uses - Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- ½–1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
- 1–2 tsp salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Measure all spices into a small mixing bowl or directly into a clean jar.
- Whisk or shake vigorously until the powders are evenly combined and a uniform color.
- Taste a pinch by stirring a small amount into olive oil and lemon; adjust salt or cayenne to preference.
- Transfer to an airtight jar and label with the date. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months for best potency (up to 6 months if well sealed).
Tip: For a deeper aroma, lightly toast whole cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan and grind before measuring.
How to Make the Shawarma Seasoning Recipe
- Measure all spices into a small mixing bowl or directly into a clean jar.
- Whisk or shake vigorously until the powders are evenly combined and a uniform color.
- Taste a pinch by stirring a small amount into olive oil and lemon; adjust salt or cayenne to preference.
- Transfer to an airtight jar and label with the date. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months for best potency (up to 6 months if well sealed).
How to Use Your Shawarma Seasoning Recipe
This shawarma seasoning recipe is built to be flexible. Here are tested uses and ratios so you’ll always get great results:
- Chicken (thighs or breasts): Use 1–1.5 tbsp seasoning per pound. For a quick marinade, mix with 2–3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice and 1–2 minced garlic cloves; marinate 1–4 hours.
- Beef or lamb: 1.25–1.5 tbsp per pound, marinate 2–12 hours (overnight best for deep flavor).
- Vegetables: Toss cauliflower, potatoes, or eggplant with 1–2 tbsp seasoning + oil and roast until caramelized.
- Sauces: Stir 1–2 tsp into yogurt or tahini for an instant shawarma dipping sauce.
Tips for Customizing the Recipe
Here are simple customizations to make this shawarma seasoning recipe your own:
- Smokier profile: Replace regular paprika with smoked paprika.
- More heat: Add extra cayenne or a pinch of Aleppo pepper for fruity heat.
- Brighten it: Add 1 tsp sumac or ½ tsp dried lemon peel to introduce citrus notes.
- Balance sweetness: A pinch of brown sugar or an extra pinch of cinnamon can round the flavors.
- Fresh-ground boost: Toast whole spices and grind them for a more vibrant aroma and flavor.
Shawarma Seasoning Recipe – Marinade Ratios & Techniques
For tender, juicy meat, use the following marinade base per pound of meat:
- 1–1.5 tbsp shawarma seasoning recipe
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 cloves minced garlic
- Optional: 2 tbsp plain yogurt for tenderizing (especially good with chicken)
Marinating times: chicken 1–4 hours; beef/lamb 2–12 hours; vegetables 20–45 minutes.
Shawarma Seasoning Recipe for Meal Prep
Make a big jar of this shawarma seasoning recipe and use it all week. It’s perfect for sheet-pan dinners, grain bowls, and quick wraps. Build bowls with seasoned meat, rice, pickled onions, chopped cucumber and a drizzle of garlic-yogurt sauce for fast, satisfying lunches.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers.
Leftover food seasoned with this shawarma seasoning recipe stores well if handled properly:
- Refrigeration: Keep cooked shawarma-style meat or vegetables in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
- Freezing: Portion and freeze in labeled bags for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth to restore juiciness, or warm in a 175°C (350°F) oven for 8–12 minutes. Microwaves are fine for convenience – cover and add a teaspoon of water to prevent drying.
- Pro tip: For crisp edges after reheating, finish on a hot pan or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes.
Recipe FAQ’s
Can I use this shawarma seasoning recipe for seafood?
Yes, shrimp and firm white fish are delicious with a light dusting. Use about 1 tsp per ½ pound and reduce cooking time.
Is the shawarma seasoning recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the blend is naturally gluten-free. If you require strict gluten-free certification, check your spice labels for statements on cross-contamination.
How long will the seasoning keep?
Stored in a sealed jar away from light, it’s best within 3–4 months. Flavor fades gradually after that.
Can I double or triple the recipe?
Absolutely. Make a large batch and store in small jars so you open a fresh jar each month.
Can I substitute fresh garlic for garlic powder?
Fresh garlic is great in marinades but won’t keep inside a dry spice mix. Keep garlic powder in the dry mix and add fresh garlic when making marinades if you like.
Health Benefits
Beyond great taste, this shawarma seasoning recipe brings several healthful spices to your plate:
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
- Cumin & Coriander: Traditionally used to aid digestion and are good sources of minerals like iron.
- Garlic & Onion Powders: Offer immune-supporting compounds and antioxidants.
- Cinnamon: May help stabilize blood sugar when used in moderate amounts.
Because you control salt and ingredients, this homemade shawarma seasoning recipe is a healthier alternative to commercial mixes that can contain additives and preservatives.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
- Classic shawarma wrap: Thinly sliced seasoned meat, pickled onions, cucumber, tomato, and garlic-yogurt sauce in flatbread.
- Grain bowl: Shawarma-seasoned chicken over rice or quinoa with roasted veg and tahini drizzle.
- Sheet-pan dinner: Combine potatoes, cauliflower and bell peppers with 2–3 tbsp of the shawarma seasoning recipe and roast until caramelized.
For more background on shawarma styles and regional variations, this guide at NumberAnalytics is an excellent resource.
You might also like our New Salad Recipe to start your day the right way.
If you tried this shawarma seasoning recipe, leave a rating and tag a photo on Instagram so we can see your creations!
