Savory and Wholesome Vegan Shawarma

Vegan shawarma sounds like an oxymoron. That’s what I had thought before I visited this restaurant in the following story. However, it turned out to be a very positive and delicious experience. Here is the story.

It was a cold evening in the Bronx, and my vegan friend and I were longing for something fulfilling and tasty to eat. We were eager to sample the newly opened vegan shawarma spot in the area and see what all the excitement was about.

As we entered the restaurant, the owner, a Lebanese woman graciously welcomed us. Furthermore, she greeted us cheerfully and led us to our seats. Moreover, the atmosphere at this intimate and comfortable restaurant was energetic with the alluring scents of herbs and sizzling vegetables filling the space.

Suddenly, a power outage in the neighborhood abruptly interfered as the restaurant was about to serve us our vegan shawarma order. Consequently, this caused the restaurant to have to close temporarily. Therefore, no doubt that luck was unfortunately not in our favor.

Despite our immediate disappointment at the power outage, the owner decided not to let it interfere with our meal. Therefore, she set up a makeshift area outside. Furthermore, she proceeded to skillfully employ a portable stove and other necessary utensils to cook with.

We felt excitement and gratitude when we finished our vegan shawarma dishes. Furthermore, every single bite of the bold, spicy, and flavorful dish was sublimely blended with herbs and spices, providing the perfect balance that made us savor the meal even further. In addition, the tender and juicy grilled vegetables come alive with the addition of homemade sauces offering a tangy touch. We were utterly surprised to find that the vegan shawarma tasted and felt identical to its traditional meaty counterpart, defying all expectations as it was composed of only vegetables and plant-based proteins. As a result, I humbly requested the recipe from the Lebanese woman and to my excitement, she agreed to share it with me.

Vegan shawarma is an alternative to the classic meat version. The shawarma spices include a variety of spices. For example, allspice, cumin, sumac, ground coriander, turmeric, cracked black pepper, and salt to taste. For the mushroom shawarma, you will need sliced mushrooms, coriander cilantro, crushed garlic cloves, and avocado oil (or substitute extra-virgin olive oil). In addition, other ingredients include thinly sliced tomatoes, potatoes, and white onions, garlic sauce, Lebanese flatbread or preferred pita bread, freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional), shredded iceberg lettuce, and pickles.

You can have vegan shawarma with a variety of foods. The followings are some options. For instance:

Vegan Tzatziki Sauce: Make a vegan version of tzatziki sauce using some basic ingredients. For example, dairy-free yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and chopped dill. This refreshing sauce pairs well with the spices in the shawarma.

Pickled Vegetables: Serve your shawarma with some tangy pickled vegetables. For instance, carrots, onions, and cauliflower. These will add some acidity and crunch to your dish.

Hummus: A dollop of hummus adds creaminess and flavor to the dish. You can use store-bought or make your own by blending chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil together.

Salad: Serve the shawarma on a bed of lettuce or make a simple salad with chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions. This will add freshness to your meal and balance out the rich flavors of the shawarma.

Fries: Vegan shawarma is often served with fries, either on the side or wrapped up in the sandwich. Crispy fries are the perfect complement to the savory spices in the shawarma.

Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers are a great side dish for vegan shawarma. The caramelized flavors of the roasted vegetables complement the spices in the shawarma.

Rice: A side of rice can help round out your meal and add some bulk to the dish. You can make a simple rice pilaf or add some chopped herbs and lemon juice for extra flavor.

I am excited to share with you the recipe for a delicious vegan shawarma, shared with me by a talented Lebanese cook:

Ingredients:

Shawarma Spices:

• 1 tbsp of allspice
• 1 tbsp of cumin
• 1 tbsp of sumac
• 1 tbsp of ground coriander
• 1 tbsp of turmeric
• 1/2 tbsp of cracked black pepper
• 1 tsp of salt to taste

Mushroom shawarma:

• 4 cups of mushroom sliced
• 3 tbsp of coriander cilantro
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp of avocado oil or sub extra virgin olive oil

All other ingredients:

• 1 1/2 med of tomato thinly sliced
• 4 med of potato
• 1 med of white onion thinly sliced
• 5 garlic sauce
• 5 pieces of Lebanese flatbread of your preferred pita bread
• 1/2 small lemon freshly squeezed (optional)
• 1/3 small iceberg Lettuce head shredded
• 1 handful of pickles

How to make vegan shawarma?

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1. To prepare mushroom shawarma, mix together 1 tablespoon of allspice, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1 tablespoon of sumac, 1 tablespoon of ground coriander, 1/2 tablespoon of cracked black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt in a large bowl. Additionally, add 4 cups of mushrooms, 3 tablespoons of fresh coriander (cilantro), 3 cloves of minced garlic, and enough oil to coat the mixture. Finally, cover the bowl and allow the mixture to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
2. To prepare the vegetables and fruit:
   1. Thinly slice 1 1/2 medium tomatoes and 1 medium white onion.
   2. Chop 1/3 of a small head of iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
   3. Drain and set aside a handful of pickles.
   4. Thinly slice half of a small lemon.
   5. All of these ingredients should be ready to be used in a sandwich or bowl.
3. Prepare French fries and mushrooms in an air fryer (of course, regular French fries are good as well):
   1. Fry the French fries in a frying pan. Meanwhile, heat up 3 tablespoons of avocado oil over medium heat.
   2. Add 4 medium potatoes, cut into thin slices, and cook until they are completely wilted.
   3. After rinsing the mushrooms off, let any extra water drain away, then set them aside.
   4. Once the French fries are cooked, they are ready to be served with the cooked mushrooms.
4. To assemble a vegan shawarma wrap or plate:
   1. Smear 5 tablespoons of garlic sauce (or tahini sauce) inside a pita bread and add a little bit of all of the prepared vegetables and fruit.
   2. Alternatively, for a plate, simply add a bit of every ingredient on a bed of lettuce and enjoy with a dollop of garlic sauce and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

So if you feel like making something out of the ordinary, I highly recommend trying this recipe. I assure you that you will not regret it. Happy cooking!