DIY Shawarma Spice Blend (2024)

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What is Shawarma?

Shawarma is a classic Levantine Arab dish of meat (lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats) seasoned and placed vertically on a spit and slow roasted. It’s typically sliced thinly and served with tabbouleh, fattoush salad, bread, tomato, and cucumber and various sauces.

The word “shawarma” is an Arabic rendering of Turkish çevirme ‘turning’, in reference to the rotisserie cooking of the meat, which turns around an axis. Though considered a Turkish dish by origin, it’s enjoyed through the Middle East and Mediterranean region in various forms. (source)

How to Make Shawarma Spice Mix

Shawarma spice blends were created in the Middle East and used to add flavor and spice to the rotisserie meats. Common spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, all spice, and cayenne. Find a more authentic version of shawarma spice blend here.

This is our inspired, personal go-to DIY shawarma spice blend that’s perfect for adding to all of your favorite chickpea dishes, scrambles, salads, vegetables, and more!

DIY Shawarma Spice Blend

A quick and flavorful take on the classic Middle Eastern shawarma spice blend that's smoky, spicy, and incredibly versatile! Perfect for seasoning crispy chickpeas, falafel, curries, scrambles, vegetables, and more!

Author Minimalist Baker

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5 from 23 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 4 (1-Tbsp servings)

Course Spice Blend

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Middle Eastern-Inspired, Vegan

Freezer Friendly Yes!

Does it keep? Several months.

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp cardamom (or cloves)
1 tsp ground coriander
1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 Tbsp ground cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or 1/2 tsp ground black pepper // amount as original recipe is written)

Instructions

Add all spices to a small jar and shake or stir to combine. Will keep at room temperature for several months.
This spice blend is ideal for seasoning things like chickpeas, roasted vegetables, tofu scrambles, curries, and more!

Video

Notes

*Recipe makes ~1/4 cup shawarma spice blend.

Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)

Serving: 1 tablespoon Calories: 6.3 Carbohydrates: 0.9 g Protein: 0.2 g Fat: 0.2 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.14 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 1.8 mg Potassium: 28 mg Fiber: 0.3 g Sugar: 0 g Vitamin A: 154 IU Vitamin C: 0.11 mg Calcium: 11.32 mg Iron: 0.91 mg

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

All commentsI made thisQuestions

Elisa says
July 4, 2024 at 12:17 pm
This is wonderful! I made chicken that was divine. After trying it, I am making a big batch to share. Doing some crispy chickpeas for snacks today. ❤️
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 4, 2024 at 2:11 pm
  Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Elisa. Thank you for sharing! Enjoy those chickpeas 😋
  Reply
Nikita Joukovski says
July 4, 2024 at 8:55 am
Great very simple recipe or shawarma mix!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 4, 2024 at 10:31 am
  We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe, Nikita! Thank you for sharing! xo
  Reply
Jeff says
June 15, 2024 at 5:59 pm
SHWARMA spices was bang and really tasty so thank you
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  June 17, 2024 at 10:28 am
  We’re so glad you enjoyed the spice blend, Jeff! Thank you for sharing!
  Reply
Jen says
May 26, 2024 at 12:10 pm
This is GERD (chronic acid reflux) friendly!!! I’m so happy! Thank you for allowing me to add flavor back into my life 🙌
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  May 28, 2024 at 10:35 am
  We’re so glad you can have this one! Enjoy, Jen! xo
  Reply
Bry says
May 21, 2024 at 9:47 pm
I’m allergic to ground coriander
What would you suggest replacing the coriander with if I make your spice blend from scratch???
Ps- love you two! Thank you for everything you do for all of us cooking women !!
Bryna
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  May 22, 2024 at 9:29 am
  Thank you for your kind words, Bryna! We’d say just leave it out or add a little more cumin.
  Reply
Danny says
April 12, 2024 at 1:53 pm
so good, thank you! recipe as listed made the perfect amount for 800g of chicken breast (cut into strips)
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  April 12, 2024 at 8:16 pm
  Thank you for sharing, Danny! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
  Reply
Bette says
March 7, 2024 at 1:19 pm
Delicious blend! I would suggest changing the “Freezer Friendly: No” to a resounding “Yes!” Will keep months in your freezer — make a double batch!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  March 7, 2024 at 2:08 pm
  True! Thank you for the suggestion, Bette.
  Reply
Ann Marie says
January 23, 2024 at 7:23 am
Made this for my Schwarma chicken last night. Can’t wait to try it on tofu, it’s going to be a game changer!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  January 23, 2024 at 8:21 am
  We’re so glad you made the recipe and enjoyed it, Ann Marie! Thank you for sharing! xo
  Reply
Joseph Becci says
January 15, 2024 at 1:38 am
Is this the same as baharat?? Joe
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  January 16, 2024 at 11:58 am
  Hi Joe, good question! It’s similar.
  Reply
Shanique Panton says
December 17, 2023 at 5:10 pm
My favorite blend so far!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  December 18, 2023 at 9:55 am
  xoxo!
  Reply
Anna says
August 13, 2023 at 7:16 am
Turned out good. I put on thin steak strips to make shawarma on pita wraps. I added olive oil to the meat, salt and pepper, and finely dice onion and a couple cloves of garlic. Then baked at 450. next time I will fry it on the stove top to make more juicy, but that’s reflective of my recipe not the spice blend. Tastes very close to the flavour I was trying to mimic. Also I used 1 tsp of cumin instead of 2 tbsp, didn’t want to over power the other spices. The guy at the restaurant said they used paprika (obviously he’s not going to tell me all the spices, so I wanted to keep it heavier on the paprika less cumin). Will make again!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  August 14, 2023 at 12:51 pm
  That sounds delicious, Anna! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
  Reply
Meg says
July 27, 2023 at 4:42 pm
Delicious and easy! And nice to have a quantity of spice ready for the next batch!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 28, 2023 at 9:37 am
  So glad you enjoy it, Meg! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
  Reply
Sana says
July 15, 2023 at 5:21 am
Ground cardamom or cloves?
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 17, 2023 at 11:25 am
  Hi Sana! Yes, we are using ground spices here!
  Reply
Kate says
July 6, 2023 at 5:41 pm
Perfect spice blend for the whole baked cauliflower w the magic green sauce!! SOOOO goood! thank you
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 6, 2023 at 7:25 pm
  We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Kate! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
  Reply
M says
March 28, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Amazing! I added some garlic powder (about 1/2 tsp) and roasted some chickpeas, onions and tomatoes. 5/5⭐️!!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  March 28, 2023 at 4:48 pm
  We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for the lovely review!
  Reply
Ruthie says
December 26, 2022 at 8:49 am
So good & so easy! Especially tasty on roasted cabbage served with green chutney.
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  December 26, 2022 at 4:27 pm
  Yes! Love that combo. Thank you for sharing, Ruthie!
  Reply
Mary says
October 1, 2022 at 9:22 am
I made Middle Eastern ChickPea Bowls that called for Shawarma Spice blend. It turned out fantastic. I used black pepper with a dash of cayenne. My husband raved about it. I told him he could add hot sauce and he said he wouldn’t change a thing!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  October 3, 2022 at 11:30 am
  Yay! Thanks for the lovely review, Mary!
  Reply
Ammon says
July 1, 2022 at 12:01 pm
Just an FYI…. since this recipe contains turmeric, as noted above when it comes to adding cayenne pepper or using black pepper as an alternative, whether you want cayenne pepper or not, turmeric should ALWAYS be accompanied with black pepper (which has piperine). Black pepper increases the absorption rate of turmeric (curcumin) by 2000%. Yes really. And you only need a VERY little amount of black pepper. Turmeric should ALWAYS have black pepper with it. And hey, next time you use spicy mustard which has black pepper, throw a little turmeric on it too… Turmeric is CRAZY healthy!
Reply
- Lynne ca*wker says
  June 10, 2023 at 6:26 pm
  This cauliflower looks absolutely amazing! And it will taste amazing as minimalist baker recipes always do.
  I use turmeric with black pepper in turmeric tea but never made the connection here, so thanks for the healthy tip, Ammon. I will add the black pepper when I make this for dinner tonight.
  Reply
Jess says
September 22, 2021 at 2:21 pm
This is a really easy and delicious blend! I use it on roasted veggies and in the marinade for a shawarma inspired chicken and rice bowl *chef’s kiss*
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  September 22, 2021 at 5:07 pm
  We’re so glad you enjoy it, Jess! Love those serving ideas! Thank you for sharing! xo
  Reply
Elsa says
June 3, 2021 at 2:15 pm
Hi there! Just confirming, is ground cardamom (or cloves), right?
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  June 3, 2021 at 3:14 pm
  Hi Elsa, yes, it is! Cloves can be overwhelming though so we’d suggest starting with less.
  Reply
Zhou says
March 20, 2021 at 12:34 am
The shwarma spice is really Indian spices aka garam masala. It consists of the same ingredients. India was conquered by Arabs for hundreds of years and another 300 years by the Brits. The same masala spice can be found in any country or continent where there are Indians such as Africa, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Guyana, USA and Canada. The origin isn’t Arab/Middle Eastern.
Reply
- s says
  June 4, 2021 at 5:38 pm
  I was just going to say that. You are correct.
  Reply
Klaus says
December 5, 2020 at 8:13 pm
2 whole table spoons of cumin?!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  December 7, 2020 at 2:28 pm
  Yes, this makes ~1/4 cup, not just one serving. Hope that makes more sense!
  Reply
- Laura says
  March 30, 2021 at 7:47 pm
  I’m with you. We have lots of New Mexican and Mexican, but have to cut down on the cumin, it can overwhelm.
  Reply
  - MelanieRu says
    June 3, 2021 at 6:41 pm
    Not us; we love extra cumin on everything! haha! :D
    BTW, I just got some BLACK cumin because it is recommended by a lot of nutrition experts, like Dr. Greger. Can’t wait to start using it. Can it be used in this shwarma recipe, you think?
    Thanks!
    Reply
    - Support @ Minimalist Baker says
      June 4, 2021 at 9:04 am
      We haven’t experimented with black cumin, but we think it could work. Let us know how it goes!
      Reply
    - Kate says
      June 4, 2021 at 9:26 am
      I have black cumin seeds and they have a unique flavor, one I don’t associate with the cumin we’re used to. If you have found a way to use them, let us know! Mine are in the freezer! Kate
      Reply
VERONICA LEWIS says
September 29, 2020 at 6:23 pm
DELICIUOS… put it on roasted veggies…yummy!!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  September 30, 2020 at 10:20 am
  Love that! Thanks for sharing, Veronica!
  Reply
Carrie says
April 29, 2020 at 10:20 am
I used for baked cauliflower – it was fantastic!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  April 29, 2020 at 11:11 am
  Great idea! Thanks for sharing, Carrie! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! Xo
  Reply
- Kate S says
  July 24, 2020 at 4:15 am
  Delicious! Thank you!
  Reply
s says
April 18, 2020 at 4:49 pm
It is very much like garam masala (I make) – so why a new name? What does it mean?
Also, if you roast the mixed ingredients for a few minutes, the flavor is better!
S
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  April 20, 2020 at 11:45 am
  Interesting! We find they taste much different- perhaps due to the addition of smoked paprika. It is a strong flavor.
  Reply
  - carrie says
    April 29, 2020 at 4:57 pm
    Sure -I didn’t see the option, I see it now :) . My daughter loved it, too :)
    Reply
    - Support @ Minimalist Baker says
      April 30, 2020 at 10:25 am
      Thanks Carrie!
      Reply
  - Lorie says
    July 9, 2021 at 2:37 am
    How much smoked paprika would you mix in Garam Masala?
    Reply
    - Support @ Minimalist Baker says
      July 9, 2021 at 11:11 am
      Hi Lorie! We’re not sure we understand your question, but unlike this shawarma spice blend, traditional garam masala does not contain smoked paprika.
      Reply
Steve says
April 12, 2020 at 12:45 pm
I use this mix with dry sizzled beef mince, (drain off fat as you fry and brown the mince)
I buy some sambal oelek to add on the side and serve the mince inside pitta breads
Reply
:D says
December 6, 2019 at 11:14 am
Do you prefer using cardamom or cloves? I hav ed both spices. Use dried ground ginger or fresh? Your fresh ginger in the photo threw me off.
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  December 6, 2019 at 4:47 pm
  Hi there, we used dried ginger. Cardamom would be the preferred of the two.
  Reply
Qweenie says
November 27, 2019 at 12:51 am
Would the spice blend be totally off, or not worth making, if I were to omit the cardamom/cloves? It’s the only ingredient in the recipe that I don’t have, and since it is one that I don’t typically cook with, I don’t want to buy it just to make this spice blend. Your thoughts?
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  November 27, 2019 at 10:32 am
  It would probably still be great! Let us know if you give it a try! Another idea- you could purchase cardamom or cloves from the bulk spice section to get just the amount you need.
  Reply
Andy P. says
January 28, 2019 at 11:51 am
I made this tonight and really enjoyed it, I had homemade coleslaw so had this with the steak, It’s a recipe that you could probably play around with to suit your taste, very nice with the syrup. I have tried to make this before but this was the better recipe. I’m not a Veggie but I do like to have veggie meals 4 to 5 nights per week. I’ve downloaded the recipe book and look forward to trying more recipes from Dana @ Minimalist Baker.
Reply
Leah says
January 6, 2019 at 5:16 am
I made this last night and everyone loved it. It was delicious I would definitely make this again. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  January 6, 2019 at 7:41 am
  Yay! We’re glad to hear that, Leah!
  Reply
DONNA MCFARLAND says
August 9, 2018 at 5:17 am
Cannot wait to make this! I’ll use it on everything! thank you so much!!
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  August 9, 2018 at 7:11 pm
  Hope you love it, Donna!
  Reply
Allie says
July 19, 2018 at 2:02 pm
Where did you get this wooden spoon and jar?!
Reply
- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 20, 2018 at 11:21 am
  I believe World market a long time ago!
  Reply
- A Fair says
  December 10, 2018 at 6:09 am
  Hobby Lobby
  Reply
Franklin Colbert says
July 3, 2018 at 10:10 am
I’d like to add some ground sumac to this blend. How much would you suggest and would you substitute for one or more of the other spices?
Reply
- Support @ Minimalist Baker says
  July 3, 2018 at 3:10 pm
  Hmm I’m not sure, but if you give it a try, report back!
  Reply
morgan says
January 20, 2018 at 7:00 am
Hey, Just wondering if im doing the perfectly roasted chickpeas, how many table spoons of this spice mix should i use? The spice mix is vapidly becoming a firm favourite.
Reply
- Dana @ Minimalist Baker says
  January 20, 2018 at 11:36 am
  2 tsp?
  Reply
rach45000 says
December 27, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Perfect blend!
I actually use it for almost everything I cook :)
It’s just perfect ….
Reply

FAQs

What is shawarma spice mix made of? ›

What is shawarma spice made of? Shawarma spice is a Middle Eastern spice mix typically made of a blend of dried ground spices. This includes black pepper, sumac, cumin, cinnamon, coriander seeds, turmeric, allspice, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and cloves.

What is similar to shawarma spice? ›

This shawarma spice blend is a little bit similar to garam masala because they both use a lot of warming spices. The main difference is that garam masala relies heavily on a couple of spices that we're not using (cumin and coriander).

Discover More ›

Is shawarma spice the same as 7 spices? ›

While Lebanese 7 Spice Blend and shawarma seasoning are very similar, they aren't the same. Shawarma blends are made with the same base as 7 spice blends, but also include extras like turmeric, paprika, and cayenne for a deeper, smokier flavor profile.

Discover More ›

Can I use garam masala instead of shawarma spice? ›

Garam masala and shawarma spice mix share similar spices like cumin and coriander; however, they have distinctive flavor profiles. This is why I don't recommend substituting one for the other.

Learn More Now ›

What is the secret of shawarma? ›

Shawarma is all about the delicious sauces that accompany the meat – typically garlic yoghurt or tahini and hommus – and the secret ingredient: pickles. Pickled vegetables are what take shawarma to a whole new plane: pickled cucumbers, turnips, and even carrots or mangoes are common.

Discover More Details ›

What makes shawarma taste like shawarma? ›

The distinctive flavor of shawarma spice comes from its main ingredients, including ground cumin, coriander, and black pepper. Other additions include cinnamon, cloves, allspice and dried mint. In some recipes, you'll also find nutmeg and cardamom.

Why does shawarma taste like cinnamon? ›

The marinade often includes a mix of yogurt, garlic, and a variety of spices such as cinnamon, cumin, paprika, and turmeric, which lends the dish its distinct flavor profile. The power of spices and marination plays a crucial role in transforming these simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece.

Read On ›

What is the difference between gyro and shawarma seasoning? ›

Shawarma is from the Middle East, and is seasoned with cumin, coriander, and turmeric, while Gyro, a Greek dish, is flavored with more Mediterranean rosemary, thyme, and marjoram.

View Details ›

What is the main spice in Arabic food? ›

Cumin. Cumin is probably the most prevalent of the Middle Eastern spices as well as being one of the most popular in the world. It's a strong, highly fragrant savory spice and is key to the unmistakable aroma and taste of falafel.

Get More Info ›

What is a substitute for Arabic 7 spice? ›

Baharat is the Arabic name for the Middle Eastern 7-Spice blend which includes coriander, allspice, cumin, cloves, black pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg. What is the best substitute for Baharat (7-Spice)? Substitute one tablespoon of baharat with a scant teaspoon each of ground coriander, cumin, and cinnamon.

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What can I use instead of cardamom in shawarma? ›

Both cinnamon and nutmeg are each widely recommended as cardamom substitutes. Cinnamon is the most popular of the two for use as a standalone cardamom replacement; however, nutmeg is still a popular and relatively inexpensive alternative.

Tell Me More ›

What is shawarma paste made of? ›

Ginger, tomato paste, garlic, onions, turmeric and spices make up this middle eastern paste ideal to make kebabs. This classic middle eastern paste is a fantastic way to flavour lamb or chicken for kebabs.

Read On ›

What is shawarma made of? ›

shawarma, popular street food in the Middle East, which originated in Turkey and is made of spit-roasted layers of lamb, beef, or other meat that are sliced and often wrapped in or served with pita. Shawarma is similar to Greek gyros, though the former is seasoned with more spices and the latter with more herbs.

Learn More Now ›

What is the ingredient in mixed spice? ›

What is Mixed Spice? Unlike allspice, mixed spice is a blend of several spices. These include cinnamon, coriander, caraway, nutmeg, ground ginger and cloves. The majority of the mix should be made from the cinnamon and coriander, and the remaining 10% made from the other spices.

Learn More Now ›

DIY Shawarma Spice Blend (2024)

What is Shawarma?

How to Make Shawarma Spice Mix

DIY Shawarma Spice Blend

Ingredients

Instructions

Video

Notes

Nutrition (1 of 4 servings)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating!

FAQs

What is shawarma spice mix made of? ›

What can I use instead of cardamom in shawarma? ›

References