Celebrate Shawarma Day on October 15 — A Flavorful Middle Eastern Tradition

Every year on October 15, food lovers around the world celebrate Shawarma Day, honoring the beloved Middle Eastern method of grilling marinated meats such as lamb, chicken, and beef.

Shawarma’s magic lies not only in its mouthwatering flavor but also in its versatility — you can enjoy it in countless delicious ways.

What Is Shawarma?

Shawarma chicken, seasoned with Mediterranean spices, is slow-cooked on a vertical rotating spit until it’s tender and flavorful.

The meat is then thinly sliced, grilled to perfection, and wrapped in warm pita bread with a mix of fresh toppings — think crisp vegetables, cheese, and fragrant herbs.

Add your favorite sauces, like creamy garlic sauce, and you’ve got a dish that’s impossible to resist.

No matter your preference, there’s always a shawarma style that suits your taste.

The History of Shawarma

Shawarma — those irresistible meat-filled wraps packed with spiced chicken or beef, pickles, onions, and sauces — traces its roots back at least two centuries to the Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey).

Because of its immense popularity around the world, Shawarma Day was officially established in 2020, thanks to a restaurant chain based in Canada.

Every year on October 15, fans gather in restaurants and streets to celebrate this culinary favorite through special events and food festivities.

Discover: The secrets of professional chefs for the perfect grilled chicken.

How to Celebrate Shawarma Day

• Indulge in flavorful shawarma! Whether it’s lamb, beef, or chicken, treat yourself to your favorite version.

• Share the joy — invite a friend to join you; any true foodie will love this delicious celebration.

• Post your favorite shawarma moments on social media while enjoying every bite.

• Look out for special offers — many restaurants run Shawarma Day promotions.

• Use the official hashtag for Shawarma Day to share your experience online.

Discover: How to make your meat tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.

Chicken Shawarma Recipe

You can customize your chicken shawarma with any fresh ingredients you love.

Keep your cooked chicken and yogurt sauce stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to four days.

Serves: 6 people

Prep time: 1 hour (not including marination)

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tsp kosher salt

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

• ½ tsp ground turmeric

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

• 2 lbs (about 900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

• Cooking spray

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

For the Yogurt Sauce

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced

• Pinch of kosher salt

• Pinch of red pepper flakes

For Serving

• Warm pita bread

• Chopped romaine lettuce

• Cherry tomatoes, halved

• Cucumber, thinly sliced

Preparation

1. Marinate the chicken:
   In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and all the spices. Add the chicken and toss well to coat.
   Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for deeper flavor).

2. Roast the chicken:
   Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray.
   Add the sliced onions to the marinade, toss, then transfer the chicken and onions to the prepared tray.
   Roast for about 30 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked.
   Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.

3. Prepare the yogurt sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic.
   Season with salt and red pepper flakes to taste.

4. Assemble your shawarma wraps:
   Place the sliced chicken and onions on warm pita bread.
   Top with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
   Drizzle with yogurt sauce, wrap, and enjoy!