Shawarma vs Gyro: The Ultimate Guide to These Delicious Street Foods

Introduction

For street food fans and lovers of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, the difference between shawarma and Gyro is often something to ponder. While these two street foods may look alike, they originate from different cultures and are spiced quite differently, making them unique in their own right.

Both have seasoned meat, prepared on a vertical spit, wrapped in flatbread, and served with fresh veggies and sauce. The difference is in the Preparation, spices, and side dishes.

This is the most comprehensive guide for shawarma vs Gyro on the entire internet. You will discover their origins, differences, classic recipes, nutrition, and everything in between. This article serves all your queries, whether you are looking to compare shawarma vs Gyro vs doner, or decide between souvlaki vs gyro or souvlaki vs shawarma.

What is Shawarma?

Shawarma comes from the Middle East. It started in 18-19th Century. The word “shawarma” traces back to the Turkish word “çevirme,” which translates to “turning.”

It is a very popular street food consisting of marinated meat, which is prepared on a vertical rotisserie. As the rotisserie turns, the layer of meat on the surface becomes crisp and delicious. The vendor then carves the meat to serve with pita bread or flat bread together with vegetables, pickles, and tahini or garlic sauce.

What is Gyro?

Gyro started in Greece and became popular in the 1920s, although it’s said some versions existed well before this. The name “gyro” in the Greek language comes from “gyros,” which means “turn” or “revolution.”

Like shawarma, gyro meat also cooks on a vertical rotisserie. In contrast to Gyro, the traditional Greek Gyro is prepared with a blend of ground meats and shaped into a cone. Gyro meat is also sliced thin and served with tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki sauce in pitta bread.

Key Differences Between Shawarma and Gyro

	Shawarma	Gyro
Origin and Cultural Background	It started in the Middle East, specifically in Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria	It is started Greek and is part of Greek cuisine
Meat Preparation	Whole, marinated, and stacked meat chunks are used	Ground meat mixed with spices, then shaped into a cone
Spices and Marinade	Cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika, along with garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and yogurt in the marinade.	It is seasoned with Mediterranean spices that are mainly oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and pepper, resulting in a simpler, drier seasoning.
Bread	Served with pita, laffa, or thin flatbreads like saj bread.	Served with thicker, fluffier Greek pita bread
Sauces and Toppings	Served with tahini sauce, garlic sauce (toum), or hummus, and topped with pickles, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and sometimes French fries inside the wrap.	Served with tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and dill), and topped with tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.
Taste Profile	Has a warm, complex flavor with layers of spices. The taste is rich and aromatic	Has a fresher, lighter taste with more herbal notes. The tzatziki sauce adds a cool, tangy flavor.

Shawarma vs Gyro vs Doner

The Turkish predecessor to both shawarma and Gyro is the Doner kebab. Here is how all three compare:

Doner	Shawarma	Gyro
Turkish origin, uses marinated meat slices, served with various sauces.	Middle Eastern adaptation of doner, uses different spices.	Greek version with ground meat and Mediterranean flavors.

All three cook meat on a vertical rotisserie, and each culture has made its version of the dish its own.

Traditional Chicken Shawarma

Recipe Overview

Prep Time	20 min
Marination Time	2-8 hours
Cook Time	30-40 min
Total Time	3-9 hours
Serving Size	4-6 people
Difficulty Level	Medium
Cuisine	Turkish,Middle east

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For Serving:

• 4-6 pita breads
• 1 cup tahini sauce or garlic sauce
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• Pickles
• Fresh parsley
• French fries (optional, for a nice addition)

Method

1. Prepare the Marinade: Take a bowl, add olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to blend and combine.
2. Marinate the Chicken: Add chicken thighs to the marinade and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for the best flavor.
3. Preheat Oven or Grill: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) or get the grill ready to medium-high heat.
4. Cook the Chicken: With the oven method, put the Chicken on a baking tray in the oven, in a single layer. Bake it for 30-40 minutes and change the side of the Chicken after half time hour, cooking, until the Chicken is done and with edges are crispy. With the grill method, Chicken is cooked for 6-8 minutes on each side.
5. Rest and slice: After cooking, the Chicken is allowed to rest for 5 minutes, and then cut into thin strips.
6. Warm the Pita: The pita bread must be heated in the oven or on a pan until warm and soft.
7. Assemble: The pita, tahini, or garlic sauce is removed, and chicken strips, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, pickles, and parsley are placed. French fries can be added.
8. Wrap and serve: The pita is rolled tightly and served directly.

Nutritional Value (Per Serving)

Calories	450-520 kcal
Total Carbohydrates	38-42g
Protein	35-40g
Fat	18-22g
Fiber	3-4g
Sodium	680-750mg

Storage Guide

Refrigerator: Cooked Chicken is kept in an airtight container for 3-4 days and is kept in the fridge.

Freezer: Cooked Chicken is placed in the freezer for 3 months. The Chicken must be thawed in the fridge overnight to the reheat.

Temperature Guidelines: To avoid the growth of bacteria, keep hot food hot at a temperature above 60 degrees Celsius and cold food cold at a temperature below 4 degree Celsius.

Additional Options

Slow Cooker: For Chicken that has been marinated, cook the Chicken in a slow cooker on the low setting for 6- 8 hours or the high setting for 3-4 hours.

Air Fryer: The chicken can be cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes. Halfway through the time, be sure to shake the fryer basket.

Stovetop: The Chicken should be cooked in a skillet for 6-8 minutes on each side over medium-high heat.

Classic Lamb Gyro Recipe

Recipe Overview

Prep Time	20 min
Marination Time	4-24 hours
Cook Time	1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time	6-26 hours
Serving Size	6-8 people
Difficulty Level	Medium
Cuisine	Greek cuisine

Ingredients

For the Gyro Meat:

• 2 pounds ground lamb (or 1 pound lamb, 1 pound beef)
• 1 medium onion, finely minced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin

For Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

• 6-8 Greek pita breads
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• Lettuce
• Feta cheese (optional)

Method

1. Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, minced onion, garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and cumin. Mix thoroughly with your hands until well combined.
2. Rest the Mixture: To let the meat flavors blend, cover and refrigerate the mixture for at least 4 hrs or overnight.
3. Shape the Loaf: Form the meat into a tight loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet, or use a loaf pan and refrigerate the meat mixture again. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
4. Bake the Meat: Bake for 60-75 minutes, internal temperature of meat should be 74°C, and the meat is fully cooked and browned on the outside.
5. Make Tzatziki: Prepare tzatziki by mixing Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper, and refrigerate it until serving.
6. Rest and Slice: Allow the meat loaf to rest for 10 minutes and then slice it thinly.
7. Crisp the Slices (Optional): For a crispier texture on the slices, pan-fry them in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side.
8. Warm the Pita: Allow the Greek pita bread to heat until warm and pliable.
9. Assemble: To the pita, add tzatziki first, then layer the gyro meat, and top with tomatoes, onion, and lettuce. Add feta cheese as desired.
10. Serve: Fold the pita and serve immediately with extra tzatziki on the side.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Calories	522-586 kcal
Total Carbohydrates	32-38g
Protein	35-40g
Fat	26-30g
Fiber	2-3g
Sodium	720-800 mg

Storage

Refrigerator: Store cooked gyro meat in an airtight container for no longer than 4 days.

Freezer: Store cooked meat loaf (whole or sliced) in the freezer for 3 months. Tightly wrap the freezer in plastic, then foil.

Temperature Guide: Cook meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Reheat to 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Alternative Methods

Grill: Form meat into a tight cylinder on a rotisserie attachment and cook on a grill, rotating constantly.

Skillet Method: Form meat into thin patties and pan-fry for 4-5 minutes per side.

Pressure Cooker: Form meat into a loaf, place on a trivet in the pressure cooker with 1 cup of water, and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.

Shawarma vs Gyro – A Comparison of Calories

When you evaluate the calories of chicken shawarma and gyros, shawarma has slightly fewer calories on average.

Chicken Shawarma

Calories are in the range of 450-520, which is lighter compared to/the Chicken Gyro. Shawarma has lower fat content due to using lean chicken thighs, and lighter bread options are available.

Chicken Gyro

Calories are in the range of 480-550, which is the same as shawarma, but it may contain more calories due to the thicker pita and cheese.

Lamb Gyro

Calories are in the range of 520-650, as it will have more calories from the added fat in the meat and more calories from the lamb itself.

Factors such as portion size, type of bread, the sauce used, and extra toppings (such as cheese, French fries) will affect the total calorie count.

Health Benefits of Shawarmas vs Gyro

Both shawarmas and gyros can be considered healthy depending on how they are made:

Chicken Shawarma Benefits:

• Protein is obtained from the Chicken.
• Contains vegetables and pickles.
• Tahini is a good source of good fats and calcium.
• Spices and tahini provide antioxidants.

Gyro Benefits:

• Tzatziki made with Greek yogurt has probiotics.
• Fresh vegetables provide fiber and vitamins.
• Oregano and other herbs are rich in antioxidants.

Healthier Choice Tips:

• Select Chicken instead of lamb or beef.
• Request more vegetables.
• Request less sauce.
• Choose a whole wheat pita.
• Avoid the wrap with French fries.

When it comes to the relative health benefits of chicken shawarma and gyros, chicken shawarma has an advantage in the health department due to the leaner meat and fewer carbohydrates from bread.

The Difference in Taste Between Shawarma and Gyro

The Taste of Shawarma

Shawarma has warm and rich flavors because of the:

• Rich spices, which add to the complexity
• Sweetness added with cinnamon
• Earthiness of cumin and coriander
• Sourness of the pickles
• Clotted tahini or garlic sauce
• Garlic

The Taste of Gyro

The Gyro has fresh and herbaceous flavors with:

• Bold herbal oregano and rosemary
• The main protein of the dish
• Tzatziki sauce, which is cool and sour
• Vegetables that add crunch
• More soft and less heavy flavors

For those who appreciate well-balanced spices, the shawarma is the correct dish. However, the fresh and herbal dish would be the Gyro.

Shawarma and Kebab

There is no dish called just “kebab”. It encompasses different kebab dishes and styles:

For shawarma, the meat is:

• Cooked on a vertical rotating spit
• Thinly sliced and placed in a pita
• Always uses the rotating method of cooking

Kebab is more generalized and has many styles, like:

• Grilled meat on a stick, also called the shish kebab
• Ground meat on a stick, which is the kofta kebab
• Meat on a vertical spit, like a doner kebab

Hence, shawarma is a type of kebab, more precisely, a doner kebab.

Shawarma vs Gyro vs Falafel

Falafel is the vegetarian option in this comparison:

Falafel:

• Made from ground chickpeas or fava beans
• Deep-fried balls or patties
• Completely vegetarian/vegan
• High in protein and fiber
• Served with tahini or hummus
• Lower in calories than meat options (when not heavily fried)

Shawarma:

• Meat-based
• Higher protein content
• More calories from meat and fat

Gyro:

• Meat-based
• Similar nutritional profile to shawarma
• Dairy in tzatziki sauce

Falafel is the best choice for vegetarians and vegans.

What Came First: Shawarma vs Gyro

The history of these dishes is connected:

1. Doner Kebab (19th Century): The vertical rotisserie method was invented in Ottoman Turkey in the 1800s.
2. Shawarma (Late 1800s – Early 1900s): As the Ottoman Empire included Middle Eastern territories, the doner kebab spread and evolved into shawarma with regional spices and preferences.
3. Gyro (1920s): Greek immigrants and the influence of Turkish immigrants in Greece led to the development of Gyro. The modern Greek Gyro became popular in the 1960s-1970s.

Answer: The vertical rotisserie technique originated from Turkey (doner), shawarma developed around the same time or shortly thereafter in the Middle East, and Greece produced the Gyro much later. Therefore, shawarma and doner originated before the contemporary version of the Gyro.

Tips for Making Shawarma and Gyro at Home

For Best Results:

1. Longer Marination Time: Allow your meat to marinate for at least 4 hours, and overnight if possible, for optimum flavor absorption.
2. High Temperature: Cooking at high temperatures lets you achieve that crispy texture on the outside while the inside remains juicy.
3. Slice Thin: For that authentic texture, slice your cooked meat as thin as possible.
4. Use Quality Ingredients: Using fresh spices and herbs increases flavor.
5. Warm Your Bread: Always warm your pita or flatbread before assembling.
6. Wrap Balance: For a harmonious taste, there shouldn’t be an excess of any one ingredient; meat, vegetables, and sauce should be in equal measure.
7. Serve Immediately: These wraps taste best immediately after Preparation.

Where to Find Shawarma and Gyro

For those looking to grab “shawarma near me” or to find a gyro restaurant, use the following:

Shawarma:

• Middle Eastern restaurants
• Lebanese, Syrian, or Turkish eateries
• Mediterranean food trucks
• Fast-casual Middle Eastern chains

Gyro:

• Greek restaurants
• Mediterranean cafes
• Greek diners
• Street food vendors in cities with Greek communities

Since many Mediterranean restaurants serve both shawarma and gyros, you can sample them together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Chicken for both shawarma and Gyro?

Yes, both dishes work well with Chicken. The main difference will be in the marinade and spices used. Chicken shawarma uses Middle Eastern spices, while chicken gyro uses Greek herbs.

Can I make these dishes without a vertical rotisserie?

Absolutely. The recipes provided above use ovens, grills, or skillets. While a rotisserie gives the most authentic result, you can achieve delicious results with standard kitchen equipment.

which one is spicy: shawarma vs gyro?

Shawarma has more spice complexity but is not necessarily hot or spicy. Adjust the heat level by adding or reducing cayenne pepper. Gyro is generally milder with herbal flavors rather than heat.

Can I meal prep shawarma or Gyro?

Yes, both are excellent for meal prep. You can cook meat before and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat and assemble fresh when ready to eat. Prepare sauces and chop vegetables ahead of time for quick assembly.

What is the best meat for beginners?

For beginners, the best and most forgiving option is Chicken. This meat is the cheapest and fastest to cook and is readily available. I recommend starting with Chicken before you progress to lamb and beef!

Can I freeze the cooked meat?

Absolutely, cooked shawarma and gyro meat freeze very well for up to three months. Portion them before freezing to make reheating easier.

What can I substitute for tahini in shawarma?

You can replace tahini with hummus, a combination of Greek yogurt, lemon, and garlic, or a simple garlic sauce. Each option will provide a different yet delightful taste.

Is the meat in a gyro always ground?

In traditional Greek Gyro, the meat is ground, but in contemporary versions, they sometimes use meat slices similar to shawarma. The unique texture of authentic Gyro comes from the ground meat mixture.

Can I make vegetarian versions?

Absolutely! Both dishes are great with the same spice blends and sauces, along with vegetables, falafel, grilled halloumi cheese, or seasoned tofu for authentic flavors.

Which bread is best?

Use thin Middle Eastern pita or laffa bread for shawarma. For Gyro, use a thicker Greek pita. If you can’t find those, regular pita will work for both.

Conclusion

In shawarma vs gyro debate, the goal is not to ascertain which of the two is superior; it is to appreciate two different culinary cultures. These two dishes provide scrumptious, satisfying, and flexible meals.

Shawarma offers complex warm spices to the palate of the Middle Eastern cuisine and is served with richly marinated, tangy sour dressings. Gyro is of plain marinated meat with cool soured milk, tzatziki, and simple seasoning, providing the herbal freshness of Greece.

Regardless of whether it is the spiced shawarma or the lamb gyro, both dishes are great and should be part of your meals every week. With the provided recipes, nutritional values, and every other relevant information, you can prepare both meals and choose your favorite.

Both recipes are great, and you can play around with different meats and garnishes to relish these wonderful Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes in your own home. You are in for an exciting culinary experience with these two cuisines.

Enjoy the shawarma or Gyro you prepared!