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There couldn’t possibly be a happier marriage than that of a refreshing salad and SHAWARMA! That’s what I call love! I’m not talking about just any salad. This Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries recipe is one of a kind. It will be in your menu’s top five. It’s a delicious combination of savory and zesty flavors blended with the unique taste of my shawarma-spice blend.


Impressive and Tasty

A plate of beef shawarma on top of a layer of greens an baked potatoes and topped with tahini sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley
Stacked beef shawarma with fries and salad makes a succulent meal!

It’s not unheard of to have protein-packed salads. Ranging from seafood to chicken salads, we can all agree that salads pair well with many different types of seafood and poultry, and it’s a great way to eat healthily.

Lately, there are plenty of new recipes that include different cuts of meat layered onto or mixed into salads as well. For example, taco salad is a famous favorite of many to name one.

But, shawarma has swept the world with its savory and one-of-a-kind preparation and flavor. So, next time, add it to your parsley salad, or your white cabbage and red radish salad, and instead of the usual Italian dressing, or tomato sauce dressing, indulge yourself with a Speciality tahini sauce.


Shawarma

There’s much to be said about shawarma, but let’s take a moment to appreciate the shawarma craze that has swept the world in recent years. Being Lebanese, I’ve always had a soft spot for shawarma, and it generally is not a dish anyone says no to LOL.

Growing up in Michigan really emphasized the impact shawarma has culturally. No joke, shawarma brought people from all walks of life together back in the day in small-town restaurants.

I even recall some teachers joking about giving extra credit grades to those of us who would bring them a shawarma sandwich and a side of hummus sauce lol!

Now, shawarma has become commonplace on many menus, even in non-Middle Eastern restaurants. Young and old love shawarma and endless dishes have been created with shawarma as the star with the magnificent side of shawarma sauce.

Shawarma wraps, shawarma subs, shawarma tacos, shawarma pizza, or the Middle East classic: a shawarma sandwich with homemade pita bread or, even better, warm pressed tortilla bread; the list goes on and on of all the different ways shawarma can be served up. You can now add these loaded beef shawarma fries to that list!


Irresistible and Fulfilling Dish

Well seasoned beef shawarma on top of lettuce an baked potatoes and topped with tahini sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley
A versatile salad, you can choose any toppings like pickled turnips, and red onions.

Different Types of Shawarma?

The two main types of shawarma are chicken or beef. However, the original Middle Eastern recipe was beef-lamb shawarma. Because lamb meat has more fatty layers, it helps the meat not dry out as it spins on a spit (the long skewer the meat is stacked on, which turns in a heated machine to cook the meat).

Then, the shaved lamb meat is spread out onto a piece of pita bread, a parsley-onion or sumac-spiced onion salad is layered over it, and fresh tomatoes are cut on top. Finally, tahini sauce made with fresh lemon juice is drizzled over them all. Roll the pita and you’ve got yourself a world-famous shawarma sandwich.

Of course, chicken shawarma is prepared differently, from its spices to how it’s served in its original sandwich form. First, the chicken breast it’s marinated with different seasonings.

Furthermore, Mama’s classic chicken shawarma sandwich it’s rolled in pita bread or saj bread with a garlic paste, like my Homemade Garlic Aioli Sauce Recipe, and thin slices of cucumber pickles, with a side salad and yummy crispy fries. But, in many of the above-mentioned dishes, chicken shawarma, or shawarma djej, can easily be used in place of the meat, or shawarma lahme.


Shawarma Spices

You can spend countless hours searching for the perfect blend of shawarma spices to catch that authentic flavor. Trust me when I tell you, all spice blends are yummy, but the one in this recipe, and in any recipe in which I use shawarma, will become your absolute favorite.

Search no more because this spice blend has the perfect balance of aromatic flavors in proportion to the tangy and savory ones. You’ll be able to taste the traditional palatable flavors in every bite!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What goes into the shawarma spice?

The main spice that gives it its unique flavor is all-spice or seven spices. From there on you should add a little black ground pepper, sumac for some tang, cumin, salt, and paprika.

How do I stack shawarma onto a skewer or a spit?

Make sure the meat is cut thinly into steak form. As you layer the steak, slightly change the degree at which you stack each piece so that they cook more evenly.

How can I ensure the shawarma doesn’t dry out?

You can use a cut of meat that has extra fat in it or you can add tomatoes to make it juicy. Another option is to marinate it in some yogurt.

Can I substitute beef for chicken breast?

Yes, you can prepare Chicken Shawarma Fries instead with some crispy salted golden French fries.


Homemade Beef Shawarma Fries

A plate of beef shawarma on top of a layer of greens an baked potatoes and topped with tahini sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley
Shawarma salad is the ultimate tower of crisp greens, topped with baked french fries, juicy seasoned shawarma beef strips, then drizzled with a tahini garlic sauce.

Making Shawarma

It’s not as intimidating as it may seem. Truthfully, the success of a delicious shawarma really lies in its seasoning and balance of flavors. Part of maintaining flavor lies in how you cook the shawarma.

Traditionally, it is cooked on a spit in a shawarma cooking machine. But, there are a few other ways to prepare and cook shawarma that will give you the same juicy and flavorful outcome you desire without leaving the house.


DIY Shawarma Spit

To ensure thorough cooking, the meat or chicken pieces are usually stacked in a specific way on a spit, and the spit rotates slowly to ensure heat from the machine is evenly distributed.

Now, that large cooking machine is actually available in mini-size and is small enough to be put directly onto the dinner table so you can serve the shawarma fresh and warm.

If you don’t have access to a cooking machine and don’t want to buy one, there’s an easy solution. You can take two wooden skewers and use them to create your own shawarma spit.

Push the duller side of the skewers into a potato cut in half, each skewer into one half of the potato. Be sure to leave a little space between the skewers because as you stack the meat the skewers will lean inward a bit.

When you’re finished stacking the beef meat, close off the skewer with half a red onion and half a tomato on each skewer. This will ensure that the skewers will stand balanced and that the drippings from the onions and tomatoes will enhance the flavors. Also, it will keep the meat from drying out!


Rotisserie Shawarma

Have a rotisserie machine at home or a rotisserie rod in your oven? Perfect! You can turn that rotisserie rod into a shawarma spit! Begin by pushing in two red onions and then layering the meat over them. Then, close off the meat with one or two more onions. Allow the rotisserie to do its thing by turning the meat in circles until it’s evenly cooked!


Oven-baked Shawarma

Another easy way to cook the best shawarma is in the oven. Put your seasoned and marinated shawarma into a pan or large tray and cover it with foil. Cook on low heat for about an hour and fifteen minutes so that the meat remains nice and juicy.


Tahini Dressing for the Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries

You usually serve meat shawarma with a traditional tahini sauce. The Stacked Beef Shawarma Salad is served with a tahini dressing that definitely has Mama’s signature. So, the tahini sauce used in shawarma sandwiches turned into a dressing.

Using the same ingredients, you can choose the consistency you prefer for your salad dressing by thinning it out or keeping it thick. Furthermore, you can make it sourer for an intense flavor by adding extra lemon juice or sumac.


Who’s Ready for Some Meat Shawarma?

A plate of beef shawarma on top of a layer of greens an baked potatoes and topped with tahini sauce and a sprinkle of chopped parsley
Crowd-pleaser Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries.

Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries

Plainly put, the stacked salad is really your choice. Some, prefer romaine lettuce and green onion or red onion salad, while others go for red cabbage salads, you can layer this salad with your preferred greens and veggies.

If going for a salad with a real kick, throw in some bell peppers. You can even turn it into a roasted salad and add your shawarma on top! This part is up to your taste buds and creativity. Finally, drizzle the yummy tahini sauce over it!


Shawarma Ingredients

  • filet mignon or skirt steak⁣⁣⁣⁣ 
  • olive oil 
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • cumin
  • seven spices
  • paprika

Salad Ingredients

  • a mix of your favorite greens
  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • apple cider vinegar
  • sumac
  • salt
  • minced garlic. ⁣

Tahini Dressing Ingredients

  • tahini⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • water
  • lemon juice
  • salt

Steps to Prepare Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries

In a skillet add half the amount of olive oil, then sauté the meat for 6 to 7 minutes and drain the broth.  ⁣⁣

To the cooked meat add all the spices and remaining ingredients and mix.

Layer the salad: The first layer is salad: a mix of your favorite greens, add a drizzle of olive oil, lots of lemons, apple cider vinegar, sumac, salt, and 2 cloves minced garlic. ⁣⁣Second layer:  baked fries, drizzled with olive oil or baking spray. Bake at 450F for 45-50 min or until done. ⁣⁣Third layer:  beef shawarma⁣

Whisk together tahini dressing ingredients and pour over the stacked salad. Enjoy!


Other Recipes to Try


5 from 1 vote

Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries

By: Lama
A healthy balanced meal packed with nutrients and protein that is sure to be a hit in your home!
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Servings: 4 people/Salads

Ingredients 

Shawarma

  • 1 pound filet mignon or skirt steak⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon seven spices
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

Salad Dressing

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ cup olive oil, divided
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • salt, to taste

Tahini Sauce

  • ½ + 2 cup/tablespoons tahini⁣⁣⁣⁣
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions 

  • In a skillet add half the amount of olive oil, then sauté the meat for 6 to 7 minutes. Continue to simmer until most of the water has evaporated.
  • To the cooked meat add all the spices and remaining ingredients and mix.
  • Layer the salad:
    The first layer is salad: a mix of your favorite greens, add a drizzle of olive oil, lots of lemon, apple cider vinegar, sumac, salt, and 2 cloves minced garlic. ⁣
    ⁣Second layer:  baked fries, drizzled with olive oil or baking spray. Bake at 450F for 45-50 min or until done. ⁣
    ⁣Third layer:  beef shawarma⁣
  • Whisk together tahini dressing ingredients and pour over the stacked salad. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 931mg | Potassium: 408mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 3mg
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About Lama

I'm Lama, welcome to my blog where you will find simple and diverse recipes your entire family will enjoy. I am honored to connect with you through the recipes I prepare!

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I made this Beef Shawarma Fries for dinner tonight and it was a hit! I love how simple it was! It will be a part of our dinner rotation! Thank you!