This Shwarma Spice Blend Seasoning Recipe takes just 5-minutes to make with simple ingredients you have in your spice cabinet. If you love shawarma, then you need to start making your own homemade shawarma spice mix. It’s easy to make, super delicious and legit will rival the flavors coming from your favorite local shawarma joint.
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Oh my….I’m using this Shawarma Spice Blend Seasoning Recipe on everything from Tofu Shawarma and Cauliflower Shawarma to roasted vegetables or beans…and I’ve even used it to make a mediterranean salad dressing. I’m jonesing on all these warm spices and it’s an amazing dry rub on all the things.
Why you’ll love this Homemade Spice Blend
- Save money: Individual spices that can be used in a variety of recipes are less expensive than store bought blends.
- Save time: No need to run to the store when you can make shwarma spcie mix yourself.
- Convenience: DIY spice blends like this use spice cabinet staples and turn them into this amazing shawarma spice.
- Taste: Warm and cozy a little earthy, kinda spicy…it’s all of the above….and so easy to flavor all your favorite foods.
- No salt: If you’re on a low-sodium diet, making your own spices lets you control the amount of salt that you use.
Ingredient Notes
Use fresh spices when you make your favorite spice blends. Pay attention to the expiration dates on your jars of spices because they do have a shelf life and they will provide tons of flavor the fresher they are.
- Black pepper: I added this not so much for the spice, but it enhances the body’s ability to absorb the beneficial compounds in curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric). If you’re looking for a spicy shawarma mix, add some cayenne pepper or use white pepper for a subtle, smokey heat.
- Sumac: The antioxidant benefits of sumac, along with the citrus flavors make it a great choice for this shawarma mix.
- Cinnamon and Allspice: Warming spices that add depth of flavor to this delicious spice blend.
- Ground Coriander and Cumin: I often buy these as whole spices and use my spice grinder to turn them into powder…you can also find these as already ground spices in your local grocery store.
- Paprika: You can use smoked paprika or sweet. Hungarian hot paprika will be too overpowering in this recipe.
- Sea salt: Totally optional. I think the robust spices used in this homemade version of shawarma seasoning is all you need and a no-salt seasoning mix is helpful for those on a low-sodium diet, but if want a more salty flavor, add ½ teaspoon sea salt to the mix.
How to make the seasoning mix
- This easy recipe requires no special tools, just simple measuring spoons and you’ll want to store this spice mixture in an airtight jar.
- Measure the following spices into a clean jar: turmeric, cumin, black pepper, sumac, cinnamon, allspice, coriander, garlic powder and paprika.
- Mix until everything is uniformly combined. Cover and store in a cool, dry, dark place for up to a year.
Shawarma Paste
- Whisk together a couple tablespoons of olive oil, with the juice and zest of one lemon.
- Then add in the 3 tablespoons shawarma spice mix and continue to whisk until you have a thick paste.
How to use your homemade shawarma spice mix
- Use it in all your favorite mediterranean recipes. It’s delicious sprinkled onto roasted eggplant before cooking.
- Season falafels by adding 1-2 teaspoons into your falafel mixture.
- flavor up your tahini sauce by mixing in 1 teaspoon of this shawarma spice blend for each 2 tablespoons tahini. Thin with a bit of water and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- make shawarma paste as described above and marinate your favorite meats…the easiest way to make chicken shawarma or beef shawarma. Use 1 tablespoon seasoning for each pound of meat.
- A delicious plant-based protein option is to roast white beans with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of this spice blend….the best, served with warm pitas, some eggplant salad, baba ganoush or dairy free tzatziki sauce.
More Homemade Spice Blend Recipes
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📖 Recipe
Shawarma Spice Blend
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon ground corriander
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sumac
Instructions
- Measure ingredients and blend together in a jar with tight fitting lid.
- Store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
Note
The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.
Shelley Goodman
I love reading all your recipes so inspiring I am not vegan but make as many as possible sooo delicious . Spice blends help out so much!
Debra Klein
You can use this homemade shawarma spice blend on any type of protein…so flavorful and I agree that spice blends are a big help in the kitchen.