Slow Cooker Beef Shawarma

📝Shopping list

To make this slow cooked version of classic a Middle Eastern street food, you will need:

• chuck roast - 2-3 lb whole roast
• beef broth
• lemon juice 
• cumin
• smoked paprika
• salt
• ground ginger
• turmeric
• cayenne pepper
• cinnamon
• coriander
• cloves  - ground

❓What is Shawarma

Traditional shawarma is a Middle Eastern street food. It is made out of marinated meat that is layered on a spit. Lamb is used most often, but chicken and beef are also options. 

The spit rotates in front of a heat source for hours - rotisserie style. This allows the meat to slowly cook and for all the wonderful flavors to sink in.

Once cooked, the meat is shaved down the sides of the vertical rotisserie spit. It is traditionally served in pita pockets or wraps with tons of veggies and sauces. And- it is GOOOOD!!

Clearly, a slow cooker can't replicate all that, so this is in no way an authentic beef shawarma recipe. However, cooking meat slowly in a crockpot allows it to marinate while it cooks.  This lets all the yummy spices sink way in. Similar to slow cooker chicken shawarma and chicken gyros, the preparation doesn't have to be authentic for the flavor to be wonderful! 

Authentic or not, this chicken shawarma recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy a deliciously different meal! It has the perfect mixture of spices to make you an instant fan of Middle Eastern food!

🔪Instructions

This great recipe just involves a few simple steps:

Cooking

🥙Place all ingredients, other than beef, into your greased slow cooker and stir to combine.  

🥙Add beef chuck roast to your slow cooker and turn it a few times.  You want to make sure all sides are coated in the shawarma spice mix.  

🥙Flatten the beef down to the bottom of the slow cooker and spoon some additional sauce on top.

🥙Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours

🥙Once cooked, remove beef from slow cooker and use two forks to shred.  Discard any unwanted fat and connective tissue.

🥙Skim fat off of juices in slow cooker and stir your beef back in

🥙Turn slow cooker to the Keep Warm setting until you are ready to serve.  

🍽Serving suggestions

There are an endless number of ways to serve this amazing faux Middle Eastern dish, including:

1. Classic Shawarma:

• Pita pocket: The most traditional way to enjoy shawarma is wrapped in a warm pocket.
• Toppings: Add your favorite toppings like tahini sauce, hummus, chopped tomatoes, sliced red onions, cucumber salad, and tzatziki sauce.  Fresh veggies and herbs like parsley and cilantro are also great additions. Try topping your pita with some French fries for a fun and modern twist!

2. Slow Cooker Beef Shawarma Bowl Options:

• Rice: Serve the shredded beef over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice for a heartier meal. To keep things lighter, try using cauliflower rice or even quinoa.  
• Salad: For a lighter option, serve the shredded beef over a bed of greens with your favorite salad dressing. Greek yogurt and feta cheese make great salad bowl toppings.  
• Vegetables: Add roasted vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, or sweet potatoes for additional flavor and texture.

3.  Lettuce Wraps

• Iceberg or Romaine: Use large lettuce leaves to make a low carb beef shawarma sandwich. This will put a healthy spin on your favorite recipes.  

🔁Substitution ideas

1. Use black pepper in place of cayenne pepper for a milder kick
2. Swap different cuts of beef such as flank steak, skirt steak, round steak, or even stew meat for chuck roast.  
3. To cut back prep time even further, swap listed seasonings with a premade spice mixture. 
4. Try using red wine vinegar in place of lemon juice for a tangier version of homemade shawarma seasoning
5. Lemon zest and fresh garlic can also be added to your homemade beef shawarma for a different twist.