Homemade Lebanese Beef Shawarma Bowls

A delicious Lebanese street food dish made at home, complete with beef, rice, fresh salad, and creamy tahini sauce.

Ingredients

The Beef

• 1.5 lb tenderloin beef, sliced into strips
• 2 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp shawarma spices (store-bought or homemade)
• 3 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses (optional)

Cucumber & Tomato Salad

• 3 small cucumbers, sliced
• ½ large lemon, juiced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup tomatoes, halved

Parsley Side Mix

• 1 bunch Italian parsley, washed and chopped
• ½ small onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp sumac

Vermicelli Rice (optional)

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 tbsp oil
• ¼ cup vermicelli
• 1 tsp salt

Tahini Sauce

• ¼ cup tahini paste
• 1 small lemon, juiced
• ⅛–¼ cup water, as needed

Other Side Options

• Hummus or Baba Ghanouj
• Turnips or regular pickles

Instructions

1. Marinate & cook the beef:

• Slice the beef and combine with vinegar, garlic, shawarma spices, salt, and pomegranate molasses (if using).
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the beef until golden brown.

2. Prepare the sides:

• Salad: Mix cucumbers, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a bowl.
• Parsley mix: Combine chopped parsley, sliced onion, and sumac.

3. Cook the vermicelli rice (optional):

• Heat oil in a pot and toast the vermicelli until golden.
• Add washed rice, mix, and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
• Add 1.5 cups water and salt. Bring to a boil, then let some water evaporate.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes until rice is fluffy.

4. Assemble the bowls:

• Place rice (if using) in the base.
• Add cooked beef, salad, parsley mix, and pickles on top.
• Drizzle with tahini sauce and serve with hummus or baba ghanouj if desired.

5. Enjoy!