Shish Taouk vs Shawarma: What’s the Difference?
Shish taouk and shawarma are two of the most popular Middle Eastern recipes, but what exactly are they, and how do they differ? Although they start off in similar ways, each of these recipes has a unique flavor profile, and they’re cooked completely differently. But they’re both low-prep, high-protein, super-flavorful meat preparations that can help you fit your macros without skimping on flavor one bit!
I grew up eating Middle Eastern flavors and these two have always been some of my standout favorites. Most of us are probably already familiar with shawarma from our favorite Middle Eastern restaurants, but you may be new to shish taouk. After you give it a try once, you’ll understand why these two recipes are on weekly rotation in our house!
I’ll map out everything you need to know about these two and share my tried-and-true recipes so you can enjoy them in the comfort of your own home and understand a little bit more about the world of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Shish Taouk vs Shawarma: Key Differences
Both shawarma and shish taouk start off the same way, with a yogurt marinade made with lemon juice, onions, and a medley of similar spices.
Authentic shish tawook adds tomato paste (for that pop of orange color) and has a savory, aromatic flavor from different types of paprika, herbs, and cinnamon. Chicken shawarma gets its unique flavor by adding lots of warm spices, like cumin, cardamom, and nutmeg, with extra pepper for heat and flavor.
But, the main difference comes down to the cooking method. Authentic shish taouk is prepared as skewers and either grilled or seared in a hot pan, while shawarma is baked or slowly roasted on a vertical rotisserie. One method is quick and hot, while the other is low and slow.
What is shish taouk?
The name Shish taouk comes from a Turkish word that roughly translates to “chicken skewer,” which is what they are. These popular chicken skewers were once served throughout the Ottoman Empire and are still popular in many Middle Eastern countries.
Although it might not be as well known as shawarma, shish tawook is just as tender and flavorful, thanks to a tangy yogurt marinade infused with tomato paste, lemon juice, red onion, and an array of spices.
The acids in the yogurt help tenderize the chicken while bringing those spices right into the middle of the meat, so every bite is intensely flavored with tender, fall-apart-in-your-mouth meat.
I like to make chicken kebabs to let the spices really stand out, and we always have to make extra so we get to enjoy the leftovers!
Flavor
The chicken shish tawook marinade contains a mixture of yogurt, fresh lemon juice, garlic, onion, tomato paste, and an array of spices, like dried thyme, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, cinnamon, fresh parsley, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper. It’s hearty and savory with an aromatic note from the herbs and cinnamon.
Cooking Method
After a nice long rest in the marinade, place marinated chicken pieces on wooden skewers and prepare your cooking vessel. I like to use a searing hot cast iron skillet, but you can also use an outdoor grill, air fryer, or oven.
The goal is to sear or grill the marinated chicken to get a nice crust on the outside that locks in all that flavor and moisture. They cook really quickly and are my go-to option for summer BBQs!
How to Serve
The thing that makes this chicken tawook recipe really shine is the tangy yogurt sauce. It cools down the warm spices and adds a nice balance to the whole dish.
Top it all off with my mom’s ultra-refreshing Salad Shirazi, my favorite Lebanese-style tomato cucumber salad, or your favorite mezze flavors, like tabbouleh, babaganoush, etc.
Pairs well with:
- Mutabal Recipe (Middle Eastern Eggplant Dip)
- Cauliflower Tabbouleh
- Air Fryer Mediterranean Vegetables
Tip: Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 F to prevent food poisoning and minimize the risk of food-borne illness.
What is shawarma?
Chicken shawarma is a popular street food beloved throughout the Middle East. Its name comes from an Ottoman word for “turning,” in reference to the way the marinated meat slowly turns on vertical spits that infuse that fat (and flavor) into every bite. To serve, pieces of the meat are shaved off the spit and added to sandwiches, rice, and more.
Like shish taouk, the meat is first marinated in a yogurt-based marinade infused with a mixture of Lebanese spices, chiles, and herbs that give the meat a distinctly aromatic flavor. After marinating, the meat is layered into a vertical cone shape and slowly roasted on a rotisserie that bastes the meat in its own fat.
Flavor
This is one of the key differences. Although both use a yogurt marinade, the spice mixture is slightly different. Cardamom and nutmeg add a deeply aromatic flavor that balances out the earthy herbs and spices, and the cumin, Aleppo pepper, and cayenne offer lots of heat and a bold, savory flavor.
Shawarma can be made with any type of meat. I like to use chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you’ll often find it made with beef or lamb.
Cooking Method
The vertical spit is traditional for shawarma, but that’s hard to replicate at home. Instead, I like to layer the pieces of meat in a loaf pan and cook them in their own juices. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to spit roasting, and the chicken soaks up so much flavor!
How to Serve
Traditionally, we like to serve shawarma sliced thinly onto warm pita bread with a hearty serving of homemade garlic sauce (aka toum).
For my low-carb friends, prepare a bed of cauliflower rice or high-protein Kaizen rice. Add your garlic sauce, freshly sliced veggies, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. So satisfying!
How to Serve
At the end of the day, both shish taouk and shawarma are incredibly flavorful, tender Middle Eastern meats that are naturally high in protein and low in carbs. Since they need to rest in the marinade for a while, they’re a perfect low-prep protein.
Start marinating them the night before, then cook them up the next day. Add them to your power bowls for an easy lunch that tastes like you ordered out! You really can’t go wrong here.
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