Homemade Shawarma Spice Blend
A warm, fragrant all-purpose shawarma seasoning from pantry spices. Makes about 2/3 cup, enough for several batches of chicken, beef or lamb.
November 1, 2026
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp ground coriander
- 2 tbsp sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp garlic powder (optional)
- 2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
What You’ll Need
As an Amazon Associate, Shawarma.com earns from qualifying purchases. We have not hands-on tested these products.
No special gear needed for this one. See our picks for the basics.
Essential shawarma tools →Instructions
- Add all the spices to a bowl or jar.
- Whisk or shake until evenly combined, breaking up any clumps.
- Store in an airtight jar away from heat and light.
- To use, mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of the blend with 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 4 grated garlic cloves and salt to taste for about 2 lb (900 g) of meat. Add 1/4 cup plain yogurt for chicken.
- Marinate chicken 1 to 12 hours, beef 4 to 24 hours, then roast, grill or sear and slice thin.
The blend contains no salt, so you control the seasoning. Start with about 1 1/2 tsp salt per 2 lb of meat.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Shawarma.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Tips for the best flavor
- Toast whole spices if you can. Toast whole cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, cool, then grind. The flavor is noticeably brighter.
- Use fresh spices. Ground spices lose aroma over time. If a jar smells faint, replace it.
- Adjust to taste. More cinnamon and allspice for beef or lamb; more turmeric and paprika for chicken.
- Store it right. Kept airtight and away from the stove, the blend stays at its best for a few months.
Prefer a ready-made blend?
If you'd rather skip the measuring, a store-bought seasoning such as Spice Way Shawarma Seasoning or Sadaf Shawarma Seasoning works too. Check labels for salt before seasoning your marinade. Compare them in our shawarma seasoning guide.
Put it to work
- Chicken shawarma
- Beef shawarma
- All-purpose shawarma marinade
- Roasted cauliflower, chickpeas or potatoes tossed with oil and a spoonful of the blend
FAQ
How much spice blend per pound of meat?
About 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons per pound, mixed into an oil and lemon marinade.
Is shawarma seasoning spicy?
Not very. It's warm and aromatic. Add the optional cayenne if you want heat.
What's the difference between shawarma seasoning and baharat?
They overlap a lot. Baharat is a general Middle Eastern all-spice blend, while shawarma blends usually add more cumin, coriander, paprika and turmeric.