Many may have seen Lamb Shawarma around at their local middle eastern restaurant. But did you know that lamb shawarma is a Middle Eastern lamb recipe that is actually quite simple to make at home? With the right cut of lamb and a good marinade with a few spices seasoned in the correct way, this article will take you through simple steps of choosing the right lamb cut, and a Lamb Shawarma recipe that is easy to follow for everybody.
What Are Each Cuts of Lamb Suitable For?
Each cut of lamb offers entirely different levels of tenderness, fat, and texture. Therefore, choosing the right cut for the right recipes will elevate your meals and ingredients with a tender, juicy lamb.
| Lamb Cut | Main Characteristic | Recommended Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb Leg | Firm, lean cut that can be sliced into large pieces or thin slices. | Lamb Shawarma, Roasted Lamb, Lamb Kebab, Lamb Steak |
| Lamb Rack | Tender with fats in between to offer a rich flavor. | Rack of Lamb, Herb-grilled Lamb, Lamb Rack Steak |
| Lamb Shoulder | High in fats and collagen, making it great for slow cooking until tender. | Slow-cooked Lamb, Lamb Stew and Pulled Lamb |
| Ground Lamb | Easy to prepare and cook, while taking in spices very well. | Burger, lamb meatballs, Kofta, pasta and pie fillings. |
Spice Up Your Meals with Middle Eastern Lamb Recipes: Lamb Recipes You Should Not Miss!
- Lamb Shawarma: A famous street food that marinates lamb in spices such as cumin seeds, paprika, cinnamon and garlic before grilling or roasting. The cooked lamb is then sliced thinly and served over pita bread with fresh vegetables, a yogurt sauce and tahini — an easy-to-eat dish that is packed with aromatic spices.
- Lamb Kofta Kebab: Minced lamb that is marinated with onions, parsley and spices before shaped over skewers and grilled until fragrant. It is best consumed with pita bread, hummus or a yogurt sauce, and is considered a perfect dinner party menu.
- Mansaf: A popular Jordanian dish that slow-cooks lamb until tender and off-the-bone. Mansaf is usually served over rice with fermented yogurt sauce (Jameed), and topped with sliced almonds or pinenuts. It is a balanced dish that is usually served during celebrations or special occasions.
- Lamb Tagine: A Moroccan lamb stew that is slow-cooked in spices, nuts and dried fruits such as apricots or prunes until tender and melts-in-the-mouth. This results in a balanced flavor combination of aromatic spices and natural sweetness.
- Ouzi (Whole Roasted Lamb): A popular Middle Eastern roasted lamb dish that is tender and served with aromatic rice cooked in spices, nuts and raisins. It is a popular main dish for dinner celebrations, weddings and important festivities due to the fact that the meaning of this dish refers to welcoming and sharing.
Lamb Shawarma Recipe: Cook Lamb Shawarma Easily at Home Like a Restaurant Would!
Ingredients:
- Lamb Leg (800 g–1 kg)
- Natural yogurt (1/2 cup)
- Minced garlic (4–5 cloves)
- Lemon juice (2 tbsp)
- Olive oil (2 tbsp)
- Ground cumin
- Paprika powder
- Ground coriander seeds
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper
How to cook:
- Mix yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic and spices together to form your marinade.
- Marinate lamb for at least 4 hours or overnight to ensure that the lamb absorbs all the marinade.
- Bake at 200°C for 25-35 minutes (depending on the thickness of the lamb), or grill in a pan until the lamb reaches your desired doneness.
- Rest the lamb for 10 minutes before slicing thinly.
- Serve with pita bread, yogurt sauce or tahini, fresh salad greens, tomatoes, cucumber and red onions.
FAQ: Most Frequently Asked Questions About Lamb Shawarma
Lamb Shawarma Calories
1 portion of Lamb Shawarma contains approximately 350-600 kilocalories. However, this also depends on the lamb cut, amount of oil used, sauce and condiments. If you would like to lower the calorie count, serve the Lamb Shawarma with fresh salad or vegetables, and top with only a moderate amount of sauce.
How to Make Shawarma at Home
Making Lamb Shawarma at home is not a difficult task. Simply marinate the lamb in yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and spices such as ground cumin, paprika, coriander seeds and cinnamon for at least 4 hours or overnight. Roast or grill until cooked, rest the lamb before slicing thinly and serving with pita bread, fresh vegetables, yogurt sauce or tahini. The Lamb Shawarma you cook at home will be as aromatic as what you would get at a Middle Eastern restaurant!
What to Serve with Leg of Lamb
Lamb Leg is a cut that is suitable for not only Lamb Shawarma but also other types of roasted or grilled dishes. Serve the leg of lamb with pita, basmati rice, Mediterranean salad, grilled vegetables, roasted potatoes, hummus, or yogurt sauce to elevate and balance out your dish.
Make every dish as good as what is served at a restaurant with Lamb Shawarma! Shop for premium, import-quality ingredients for your Middle Eastern lamb recipes at Villa Market both online and in-stores! Elevate your home-cooked dishes today and make cooking at home more convenient than ever!