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    Home ▸ Vegan Burgers, Wraps and Sandwiches

    Vegan Shawarma Recipe with Portobello

    Last modified: October 5, 2022. Originally posted: July 19, 2021 By Sophia DeSantis

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    Hand holding a pita sandwich stuffed with sliced portobello, lettuce, tomato, onion and sauce
    Text overlay on vegan shawarma with a collage on making it with portobellos and a final photo

    This vegan shawarma recipe is made with portobello mushrooms for a healthy version of traditional street food. It's easy and so delicious!

    A pita bread filled with sliced portobello and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and white sauce on a white dish
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    I love stepping out of my comfort zone to create recipes from other cultures. While I know this isn't as authentic as what someone would make that knew it better, it's still delicious and a great way to get more plants into your diet!

    Traditionally, shawarma is slices of meat flavored with a wide array of seasonings, piled up, then cooked rotisserie style. Most of us don't have a rotisserie at home, and some of us like plant based food instead of meat. In comes this vegan shawarma! It captures many of the flavors of the original recipe in a meat free and easy process.

    Ingredients

    In order to make this plant based shawarma, you will need the following ingredients:

    • Portobello mushrooms 
    • Garlic 
    • Lemon juice
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Paprika
    • Cumin
    • Oregano
    • Cloves
    • Crushed red pepper 
    • Cinnamon 
    White platter with slices of portobello, lemon and seasonings

    How to Make Vegan Shawarma

    It's so easy to make your own homemade shawarma! Here's what to do:

    1. Marinate and bake the mushrooms.White baking dish with thinly sliced portobello covered in spices
    2. Then load onto warmed pita bread.A pita bread being stuffed with portobello slices on a platter next to toppings
    3. Add toppings and serve!Hand holding a pita sandwich stuffed with sliced portobello, lettuce, tomato, onion and sauce

    Topping suggestions

    This vegan shawarma can be served with a plate of rice and grilled veggies. It also tastes amazing folded into warm, soft, pita bread. Load it up with toppings to suit your taste. Here are some of our favorites:

    • Tahini Sauce
    • Hummus
    • Vegan Tzatziki
    • Pickles
    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce
    • Red onion

    Tips and tricks

    Here are a few helpful hints when making the best vegan shawarma:

    • You can also use tempeh instead of mushrooms. Cut the block in half. Boil tempeh halves for 10-15 minutes. Remove and cool, then slice it into ¼ inch slices.
    • Also, if you use the tempeh, you will need some broth to bake it so it doesn’t dry out.
    • If you don't like spicy food, use less red pepper, or omit completely.
    • Adjust the seasonings for your tastes, the flavor combos are easily customized.
    • Store leftover shawarma in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container.
    • Reheat in a skillet, the oven, or microwave.

    Common Questions

    What is in vegan shawarma?

    Slices of portobello mushrooms or tempeh act as the base, and they are seasoned with a variety of spices.

    What is Shawarma made of?

    Shawarma seasoning can be made from a wide variety of spices. Most recipes include cumin, paprika, cloves, and cinnamon. Other spices often included are turmeric, onion powder, garlic powder, allspice, oregano, or nutmeg.

    What is vegan kebab meat?

    It can be made from many plant based foods. Some use soy based products, tempeh, seitan, or veggies. Really it comes down to getting the right seasonings and texture!

    More Vegan Mediterranean Recipes

    Satisfy that fresh flavor craving with these easy and healthy plant based recipes:

    • Roasted Lemon Potatoes
    • Fasolakia (Greek Green Beans)
    • Greek Farro Salad
    • Vegan Moussaka
    • Falafel Sandwich
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    A pita bread filled with sliced portobello and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and white sauce on a white dish

    Vegan Shawarma Recipe with Portobello

    Sophia DeSantis
    This vegan shawarma recipe is made with portobello mushrooms for a healthy version of traditional street food. It's easy and so delicious!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Middle Eastern
    Servings 4
    Calories 22 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 portobello mushrooms , or you can also use 8 ounce package of tempeh
    • 3-4 cloves garlic , minced
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ¾ - 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ - ¾ teaspoons cloves , adjust to your preference
    • ½ - ½ teaspoons crushed red pepper , use less if you do not like spice
    • ¼ - ½ teaspoon cinnamon , adjust to your preference
    • Drizzle of olive oil or broth if you don’t use oil

    To serve

    • Pita bread , gluten-free if needed
    • Vegan Tzatziki
    • Pickles
    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce
    • Red onion

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350.
    • Mix all the ingredients, except the mushrooms/tempeh in a bowl and mix well.
    • If using portobello mushrooms, thinly slice them. Put them in a baking pan.
    • If using tempeh, cut tempeh block in half. Bring a pot of water to a boil, place tempeh halves inside and boil for 10-15 minutes. This removed any bitter taste from the tempeh. Remove tempeh, and after it has cooled slice it into ¼ inch slices.
    • Add the spice mix to the pan with the mushrooms/tempeh. Using your hands massage the mixture into the mushrooms/tempeh so they are well coated.
    • You can allow it to sit while you prep any toppings/sides, but you don’t have to marinate it too long. About 5-10 minutes while you clean up works great too.
    • Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and beginning to crisp at the edges. You may want to mix the slices up part way through.
    • Once it is done, warm your pita in the oven for 3-5 minutes to make it more pliable and easy to eat.
    • Assemble and serve!

    Notes

    • This is my version of shawarma, there are some flavors in some traditional versions we don’t love so I created it based on the spices we liked.
    • If you do not love the cinnamon and clove flavor then I’d suggest using on the lower end. They are required to get a more traditional flavor, but it’s up to you how much you want in. I only like a little of them for a hint of flavor.
    • If you use the tempeh, you will need some broth to bake it so it doesn’t dry out. I’d start with ½ cup and add more as it baked if you see it getting dry. A little oil helps too.
    • The nutrition facts are for the base recipe only, they will change depending on the toppings you use.

    Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 22kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 400mgPotassium: 211mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 460IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 1mg

    Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.

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    1. Beth

      January 31, 2023 at 9:36 am

      This was very good - thank you for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        January 31, 2023 at 9:02 pm

        So happy you liked it Beth!

        Reply
    2. Anandi

      May 28, 2022 at 3:11 pm

      Thank you so much for this recipe!!!

      Reply
      • Sophia DeSantis

        May 31, 2022 at 8:27 am

        You're so welcome!!

        Reply
    3. Sue

      July 25, 2021 at 8:24 am

      Thanks Sophia. Made this with portobellos and it was delicious, and easy!

      Reply
      • veggiesdontbite

        July 25, 2021 at 8:47 pm

        I'm so happy you liked it Sue!! Thanks for telling me!

        Reply
    4. Sarah

      July 24, 2021 at 8:54 am

      OMG, so I love shawarma. But I don't always want the greasy meat. This is the perfect recipe for when I'm craving those flavors but want to eat healthy, thanks!

      Reply

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