Ground Beef Shawarma is a quick and flavorful way to enjoy all the warm, aromatic flavors of traditional shawarma using everyday ground beef.
Think of it as a Mediterranean twist on sloppy joes—easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but with the bold spices and garlicky toppings that make shawarma so irresistible.
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Ground Beef Shawarma is so easy
This ground beef shawarma delivers rich rotisserie-style flavor in just 20 minutes with basic kitchen equipment. Deeply seasoned with warm spices like cumin, coriander, paprika, and cardamom, the juicy, saucy meat comes together quickly for an effortless weeknight win.
Every bite balances rich, creamy garlic dressing with crisp bread, fresh veggies, and punchy pickles for a meal that feels impressive yet surprisingly light. It is ideal for family dinners and meal prep alike, whether piled into pitas or served bowl-style over rice.
What Makes These Sloppy Joes Different?
Growing up, my mom and many other moms in Egypt, would make these quick shawarma sandwiches for the kids, especially at birthday parties. We never really call them sloppy joes—they were simply an easy way to get those delicious shawarma flavors onto the table. Years later, I realized they were actually our family's Middle Eastern take on a sloppy joe!
What Gives Ground Beef Shawarma Its Flavor?
Traditional sloppy joes are usually made with ground beef simmered in a sweet, tangy tomato-based sauce, often with ketchup and other familiar American-style seasonings. This version takes the idea in a completely different direction.
The flavor comes from a warm blend of shawarma spices to give the ground beef that familiar warm, earthy, slightly tangy flavor we love in shawarma. The tomato puree adds richness and moisture, while the garlic sauce and fresh toppings bring everything together when the sandwich is assembled.
What You Need (Ingredients)
- Ground beef: Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the juiciest result.
- Tomato puree: This creates the saucy sloppy-joe texture without relying on ketchup.
- Vinegar: Adds acidity and keeps the sauce from tasting too heavy.
- Shawarma spices: This is what transforms ordinary sloppy joes into a Middle Eastern-inspired sandwich.
- Toum: This is the finishing touch. The creamy garlic sauce is especially good with the warmly spiced beef.
Ground Beef Shawarma
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion diced.
- 2 large garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound ground beef , 85/15 or 80/20
- 2 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 can (14oz) tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
Optional:
- 3-4 tablespoon parsley chopped.
Spice Mix:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon sumac
- ¼ teaspoon all spice
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamoms
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
For serving:
- 6 brioche buns toasted (or warm pita bread)
- tomato slices
- Onion slices
- Pickles
- Toum (garlic shawarma sauce) or Tahini sauce
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all the spices for the shawarma and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until soft. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5–6 minutes until browned.
- Add the spice mix and salt, stirring well to distribute them into the meat. Cook for 1–2 minutes more.
- Stir in the white vinegar and tomato puree. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a sloppy joe consistency.
- Stir in the fresh chopped parsley if using and remove from heat.
- Spread a generous layer of Toum (garlic sauce) onto toasted brioche buns. Spoon the warm meat mixture on top, add tomato, onion slices, and pickles, then serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
How to make ground beef shawarma
- In a skillet over medium heat sautee onion until fragrant for about 3 minutes.
- Add ground beef and break apart to brown all over.
- Mix in the spices and adjust salt.
- Stir in vinegar and tomato puree.
- Add chopped parsley and mix everything well.
- Spoon mixture on toasted buns with white sauce, onion and tomato slices and enjoy.
FAQs
Yes. Ground lamb works beautifully with this spice blend and gives the sandwiches an even richer flavor. Use the same amount of ground lamb and cook it the same way as the ground beef.
Yes. Prepare the beef mixture, let it cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Serve the meat as sandwiches with toasted brioche buns, toum and your favorite shawarma toppings. Serve as wraps by stuffing the beef into pita or flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles. Shawarma bowls by serving over rice with chopped vegetables, pickles and toum. Make some shawarma fries and pile the beef over fries and drizzle with garlic sauce.
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Paul
An excellent and easy variation of the classic Sloppy Joe! This is equally good if made with ground lamb.