This 20-minute ground beef shawarma is the best way to shake up your usual dinner routine. Packed with warm spices, fresh toppings, a creamy sauce, and melty cheese, it’s one wrap you won’t soon forget.
I grew up eating shawarma in the Philippines. That stuff was addictive. It was a little sweeter than classic Mediterranean shawarma, which made it especially appealing to the Filipino palate.
And yes, ours had melty cheese too, which I later realized was not really traditional, but it worked so well.
This version brings all of that together in an easy ground beef shawarma you can make at home. It’s delicious, easy, and perfect for meal prep. That’s everything you could ask for in a good weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love Ground Beef Shawarma
This ground beef shawarma checks a lot of boxes for an easy meal. Here are a few reasons it deserves a spot in your dinner rotation.
- It’s packed with flavor. The mix of warm spices gives the beef that shawarma-inspired flavor without needing a long marinade or a complicated process.
- It’s quick and easy. Ground beef cooks fast, so it’s a great option when you want something flavorful without spending too much time in the kitchen.
- It’s made with simple ingredients. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, especially if you already keep a good mix of spices on hand.
- It works for meal prep. The beef reheats well, so it’s easy to make ahead and use for lunches or quick dinners.
Key Ingredients
If you’ve got a bunch of spices sitting in your pantry, now’s the perfect time to put them to work.
- Ground beef. It cooks quickly, making the recipe easy and weeknight-friendly.
- Spices. You’ll need paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice, turmeric, salt, and black pepper to give the beef that warm shawarma-style flavor.
- Sugar. I had to add a little. Maybe that’s the Filipino in me, but it really rounds out the flavor.
- Shawarma sauce. A simple yogurt sauce made with Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and water.
- Tortilla. Pita is hard to find in the Philippines, so I grew up using flour tortillas instead. That’s what I got used to, and it’s still what I’d use no matter where I am.
- Fresh toppings. Red onion, tomatoes, and cucumber add freshness and crunch. I only had white onion when I made this, so I used that instead, and it was totally fine.
- American Cheese. This is not traditional, but in the Philippines, it is. It goes so well with the seasoned beef, warm tortilla, and fresh toppings. Definitely give it a try.
For serving
- Tortilla. Pita is the more traditional option, but it can be hard to come by in the Philippines. I’m more used to the flavor of flour tortillas, so that’s what I use here.
- Red onion. Adds bite and freshness. I only had white onion when I made this, so I used that instead, and it was totally fine.
- Cucumber. Adds crunch and a cool, fresh contrast to the beef.
- Tomatoes. Bring a little juiciness and freshness to the wrap.
- Cheese. This is not traditional, but in the Philippines, it is. It goes so well with the seasoned beef, warm tortilla, and fresh toppings, so definitely give it a try.
The Best Spices for Ground Beef Shawarma
The key to good ground beef shawarma is in the spice mix. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Paprika. Adds color and a mild smokiness that forms the base of the flavor.
- Cumin. Brings an earthy, slightly warm depth that’s key to shawarma.
- Coriander. Adds a subtle citrusy note that balances out the richness of the beef.
- Allspice. Gives warmth and a hint of sweetness that makes the flavor more complex.
- Turmeric. Adds color and a light earthy bitterness that rounds everything out.
- Salt and pepper. Enhances all the spices and brings out the natural flavor of the beef.
Note: Traditional recipes also often include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg, though I didn’t use them in this version. Feel free to add them for a more classic shawarma flavor.
How to Make Ground Beef Shawarma
Here’s how to make this weeknight-friendly ground beef shawarma.
1. Mix the spices.
Combine the paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice, turmeric, pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
2. Cook the onion and garlic.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Bloom the spices.
Add the spice mix and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously to bloom the spices and bring out their flavor.
4. Brown the beef.
Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Stir well so the spices coat the meat evenly.
5. Simmer and finish.
Pour in some water and let the beef simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors can come together. Taste, then add the sugar and adjust if needed.
Yogurt Sauce for Ground Beef Shawarma
Next, make the yogurt sauce and assemble the wraps.
6. Make the yogurt sauce.
In a bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and water. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
7. Assemble the shawarma.
Warm a pita or tortilla, then lay down 2 slices of American cheese. Pile on the ground beef shawarma, sliced red onion, cucumber, and tomatoes. Drizzle the sauce on top.
8. Wrap and serve.
Wrap the shawarma in parchment paper or foil to hold everything together, then serve. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Ground Beef Shawarma
This recipe is easy, these tips are worth keeping in mind.
- Cook the spices briefly. Let the spice mix cook with the onion and garlic for about 30 seconds, until fragrant, to bloom the spices and bring out their flavor.
- Break the beef up well. Use a spatula to break the beef into small pieces as it cooks so it stays evenly seasoned and not chunky.
- Don’t skip the simmer. Let it cook with a bit of water for 2 to 3 minutes so everything comes together and the spices fully coat the beef.
- Taste and adjust at the end. Add the sugar last and adjust to taste depending on how savory or slightly sweet you want it.
- Keep the sauce slightly loose. Add enough water so the yogurt sauce is drizzleable, not too thick.
- Warm the tortilla last. Warm it right before assembling so the cheese softens and melts a little once everything is wrapped up.
- Use ground chicken or turkey. Swap the ground beef for a lighter option and cook the same way.
- Make a spicy yogurt sauce. Stir a little sriracha, hot sauce, or cayenne into the yogurt sauce for some heat.
How to Serve Shawarma Ground Beef
A wrap is the obvious choice, but there are plenty of other ways to serve ground beef shawarma.
- Over rice. Serve it as a shawarma rice bowl with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and yogurt sauce.
- With a salad. Spoon it over chopped lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions.
- Over fries. Pile it onto crispy fries and finish with sauce for something more indulgent.
How to Store and Reheat Ground Beef Shawarma
This is a great make-ahead recipe perfect for meal planning. The beef reheats well, and you can keep the sauce in a separate container until ready to serve.
To Store: Store the ground beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the yogurt sauce in a separate container (preferably a squeeze bottle).
To Reheat: Reheat the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave it in 30-second bursts until hot.
Assemble with warm tortilla, toppings, and sauce right before serving.
More Ground Meat Recipes You’ll Love
Easy Ground Beef Shawarma Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ red onion minced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sugar or to taste
- Oil for sautéing
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 4 to 5 tablespoons water or as needed for desired consistency
- Flour Tortillas warmed
- American cheese slices
- Sliced red onion
- Cucumber sliced
- Tomatoes sliced
Instructions
- Combine paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice, turmeric, pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the spice mix and cook for 30 seconds, stirring continuously to bring out their flavor.
- Add the ground beef and break it up as it cooks. Stir well so the spices coat the meat evenly.
- Pour in the water and let the beef simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors can come together. Taste, then add the sugar and adjust if needed.
- Make the shawarma sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, sugar, and water. Add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- To serve, warm a pita or tortilla, then lay down 2 slices of American cheese. Pile on the ground beef shawarma, sliced red onion, cucumber, and tomatoes. Drizzle the sauce on top.
- Wrap the shawarma in parchment paper or foil to hold everything together. Serve and enjoy!
