Chicken vs. Beef Shawarma: Which Should You Order (or Make)?

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Walk into almost any shawarma shop and you'll face the same choice: chicken or beef (or lamb, or both). They're cooked the same way, but they're seasoned, sauced and served differently. Here's how to choose, and how to nail each one at home.

The quick comparison

Chicken shawarma: bright and garlicky

Chicken shawarma is usually marinated with lemon, garlic and often yogurt, plus cumin, paprika, turmeric and warm spices. The yogurt and acid help keep it tender. It's almost always paired with toum, a fluffy garlic sauce, plus pickles and sometimes fries tucked into the wrap.

Order it if: you love garlic, want something lighter, or are trying a new shop for the first time. Chicken is the easiest way to compare shops fairly.

Make it at home: use thighs, not breasts, since they stay juicy at high heat. Our step-by-step chicken shawarma uses the oven. Check the thickest piece with an instant-read thermometer for 165°F (74°C).

Beef shawarma: rich and warm-spiced

Beef shawarma leans on deeper spices such as allspice, cinnamon, cardamom and black pepper, often with vinegar or lemon and onion in the marinade. Shops typically stack thin slices of beef, sometimes layered with fat, for a juicy, savory result. It's classically served with tahini sauce, tomato, onion, parsley and pickles.

Order it if: you want something hearty and savory, or you prefer sesame sauce to garlic.

Make it at home: partially freeze sirloin or flank for 20 minutes, slice it as thinly as you can, marinate, then sear in batches in a very hot cast iron skillet. A sharp Victorinox knife makes thin slicing much easier. Our beef shawarma recipe walks you through it.

What about lamb and mixed?

Lamb is richer still and common in Turkish and some Levantine shops. Mixed (chicken and beef, or beef and lamb) is a great way to taste both, and many places let you choose one sauce or get both.

Seasoning shortcut

Short on time? A ready-made blend works for either meat. See our shawarma seasoning guide, or mix your own with our homemade shawarma spice blend.

FAQ

Which is healthier, chicken or beef shawarma?

Chicken is usually leaner, but sauces, bread and fries make a bigger difference to the overall meal than the meat choice.

Can I use the same marinade for both?

Yes. Our all-purpose shawarma marinade works for chicken, beef and lamb. Skip the yogurt for beef if you prefer.

Which sauce goes with which?

Toum with chicken and tahini with beef is the classic pairing, but there are no rules. Plenty of people ask for both.