3 Best Vegan Shawarma Recipes

3 Best Vegan Shawarma Recipes

Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern wrap with thinly sliced pieces of meat that are cut off a stack of meat piled on a vertical rotisserie. These wraps are made with thin flat bread and filled with beef, chicken, or lamb, and topped with hummus, tahini, pickles, and vegetables. They are also sometimes stuffed with french fries or have them served on the side. 

Shawarma is undoubtedly a cultural staple, but for those who are vegan, it can be difficult to enjoy good shawarma. Even so, don’t worry! There are plenty of delicious vegan shawarma recipes that are super tasty. They are so juicy, filling, and flavorful that even meat lovers would love these recipes. 

  • Mushroom Shawarma 

Mushrooms are a super popular meat substitute for vegans since they are plump, juicy, and have a chewy, meat-like texture. Many people make mushroom steaks, burgers, and even tacos. With all of these different vegan mushroom dishes, it may surprise you to hear that my favorite vegan dish using mushrooms is mushroom shawarma. Mushroom shawarma is packed with nutrients, making it a super healthy dish.  

The mushroom perfectly absorbs all the shawarma seasonings that are used in traditional shawarma

This dish is a perfect vehicle of flavor. The umami flavor of the mushroom enhances the traditional flavors of shawarma. Mushroom shawarma is also super easy to make. You can cook the mushrooms and onions by sautéing them in a cast iron pan with a generous amount of seasonings. Traditional shawarma seasoning includes pepper, allspice, garlic powder, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, chili powder, and oregano. You can also spice up this mushroom shawarma by adding a tasty garlic sauce.  

  • Chickpeas Shawarma 

While mushrooms make for delicious shawarma, plenty of people do not actually like mushrooms. If you are looking for a mushroom-free alternative, chickpeas are an excellent solution. Chickpeas, which are also known as garbanzo beans, can be cooked in a variety of ways to make a tasty meat replacement. They are creamy and buttery and have a grainy texture that makes them unique from other beans. Not only are they the perfect texture, but they are also mild in taste, so they do not overpower the flavors of traditional shawarma.  

Chickpeas are also an excellent substitute for meat

This is because of their high protein content. In fact, in just 1 tbsp of chickpeas, there is 2.4 g of protein. This makes chickpeas even higher in protein than eggs! Most vegans love to include chickpeas in their diet because it is an easy and delicious way to add protein to their meals. So, if you are vegan, love shawarma, and want to get your protein in, try some chickpeas shawarma! 

  • Soy Curl Tenders 

Everyone who is vegan knows the delights of soy curls. Soy curls do not have any additives or preservatives, and it has the texture of chicken! It is a common ingredient found in many vegan dishes, and they are a super healthy alternative to meat. They are packed with fiber and protein, and they taste good. These soy curls are made of soybean flour that is pressure cooked. When you buy them, they are dehydrated and look almost like dried mushrooms, but they can be ready just by soaking them in water or broth. 

Soy curls are an excellent substitute for chicken shawarma. 

The soy curls can be seasoned just as you would make chicken shawarma, and it tastes amazing with hummus, fresh vegetables, and sauces. You will hardly know it’s not chicken. To make this vegan shawarma, you should marinate the soy curls and then bake them in the oven for the best texture and flavor. They come out chewy, meaty, and succulent. Once you try this vegan shawarma, you won’t miss the meat at all! 

There are many traditional Middle Eastern dishes where meat is the main feature of the meal.

This can make it difficult for those who choose not to eat meat. But you can easily vegan-ize the dishes so they can be enjoyable for all! Although people tend to be apprehensive about vegan dishes, the mushroom, chickpea, and soy curl shawarmas are actually quite tasty. So don’t be too quick to judge, and try them out for yourself! You won’t regret it! 

Bio:

Hi, I’m Rana and I blog at ranasrecipe.com. My passion for food began very early in my life. And after managing a cafe, a granola business and helping other food businesses scale up, I found my true calling in creating wonderful recipes so that everyone can enjoy cooking as much as I do! Don’t forget to follow me on my social channels- instagram and pinterest.