Calories in Shawarma

The stuffing includes shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef or a mixture of various meats. After placing the meat on a spit, the shawarma may be grilled for as long as a day. Furthermore, it is generally topped with tahini, hummus, pickled turnips, and amba.

In Greece, shawarma is known as gyro while in Turkey, it is called döner kebab. Strips of beef, lamb, or marinated chicken are placed on a stick with an onion or tomato at the top to add flavor to the stack. In order to roast the meat slowly on all sides, the spit is kept rotating in front of, or over, a flame for hours.

In ancient times, a wood fire was used, now a gas flame is common. When cooked, the meat is removed off the stack with a large knife. A sandwich wrap is made by putting the meat inside a pita bread or the meat is rolled up in an Armenian lavash flatbread and garnished with various vegetables and dressing.

The shawarma stuffing may include cabbage, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, onion, parsley, pickled turnips, pickled gherkins, tomato, and at some places, French fries too.

Shawarma dressings consists of tahini (sesame paste), amba sauce (pickled mango with chili), hummus which is normally flavored with vinegar and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The delicious chicken shawarma is usually served with garlic mayonnaise. Toum (garlic sauce), pomegranate concentrate, or skhug (a hot chili sauce) also go well with it.

Sometimes, shawarma might be dipped in the fat dripped from the skewer and then skillfully seared against the flame. In some middle eastern countries, toasted chicken shawarmas are preferred though lamb or beef shawarmas are immediately eaten.

In some regions, beef is used in place of lamb, while in Turkey beef is used instead of chicken. Goat replaces beef and lamb in Saudi Arabia. Fish is very rarely used to make shawarmas. Hot dog buns or baguettes are also used instead of pita or lavash breads.

Beef and lamb combination, when used to make this preparation ensures juiciness. The above information makes it clear that the calories and nutrition facts of shawarma may vary according to the ingredients and methods of preparation.

Chicken or meat shawarma is rich in proteins, vitamins A, B6, C, thiamine, niacin, folate, and minerals calcium, magnesium, and iron. It is high in sodium as well as potassium. It contains cholesterol and carbohydrates. It also has some amount of sugar, dietary fiber, and fats.

The given figures should be considered as guidelines only because the calories may differ from place to place as the ingredients and their quantity will be different.

• Shawarma, chicken, 1 serving: 403 calories
• Shawarma, beef, 1 oz: 70 calories
• Shawarma, chicken + kebab + mezza, 1 serving: 600 calories
• Chicken shawarma sandwich from Kabobgy, 1 serving: 403 calories
• Lamb shawarma sandwich, 1 sandwich: 503 calories
• Turkey shawarma, 4 oz: 180 calories

It is a popular food in Arab countries, such as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. These days, it is also available in Europe and America. If one wishes to incorporate it in their diet, he/she may have to adjust his/her daily calorie intake accordingly.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.