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Slow Cooker Beef Shawarma+ VIDEO

This slow cooker beef shawarma is a healthy spin on a popular Middle Eastern recipe. You can also make this low-carb, paleo, whole30 shawarma recipe in your Instant Pot.

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Updated 2019 with Instant Pot instructions

To say I like shawarma is an understatement. There’s a really good Lebanese restaurant around the corner from my house and no joke, I order their chicken & beef shawarma at least once a week. Shawarma in general is one of my all-time favorite foods. I had shawarma 3 days in a row for dinner during my last to the Middle East. I’ve been thinking about this recipe pretty much since then.

beef shawarma in the slow cooker covered with spices before being stirred

What is Shawarma?

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made of sliced meat stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly turning vertical spit. Shawarma can be made from beef, chicken, lamb, or turkey. Traditionally, thin slices of meat are shaved spit as the continuously rotates and cooks the meat. Technically real shawarma isn’t made in the slow cooker so this is more an ode-to shawarma because I love it so much.

beef shawarma in the slow cooker before being cooked

before (slow cooker)

What Type Of Beef To Use

As with most of my recipes you can use your preferred cut of beef here. It’s already not a traditional shawarma anyway. I used beef sirloin;  other suggestions include round or flank steak. I encourage you to use ingredients that you can find easily and that fit your budget. The key is to slice the beef into even strips.

cooked beef shawarma in the slow cooker

after (slow cooker)

Other Middle Eastern recipes you might enjoy:

Shaksuka (Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30)

Chicken Kofta Kebabs

Kofta Casserole (Paleo, Whole30)

Air Fryer Kofta Kebabs

Pinterest pin for Slow Cooker Instant Pot Beef Shawarma Bowl close up pic

Serving Shawarma In A Bowl

No, this is not the normal way to eat shawarma. It’s the healthy way! Shawarma is usually served as a sandwich in a pita wrap or some sort of bread. For the garnish, while it differs depending on the Middle Eastern country, the garnish ingredients are cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions with a tahini or garlic sauce. In certain countries it’s even common to add French fries to the shawarma sandwich. To keep this recipe low-carb, paleo, and whole30 I ate my beef shawarma in a bowl. My husband however went the traditional route with a pita sandwich. How you serve this is up to you.

close up of beef shawarma in a pita

I used a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

 

 

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Beef Shawarma Bowl

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 10 mins
  • Yield: Serves 4

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 lbs beef, sliced
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp za’atar (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • Fresh parsley chopped finely for garnish
  • 1 tbsp oil (for pressure cooker)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth (for pressure cooker)

Bowl ingredients:

  • Lettuce
  • Red onion
  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Tahini sauce

Instructions

Slow Cooker

  1. Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well.
  2. Cook HIGH 2-3 or LOW 4-6.

Instant Pot

  1. Turn on the IP and select Sauté. Once hot add oil to the pot.
  2. Add beef and cook 3-5 minutes until browned. Remove beef from the pressure cooker.
  3. Add onion and cook 5-7 minutes or until soft. Add beef back into the pressure cooker along with all the other ingredients. Stir to mix well.
  4. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure, 9 minutes. Natural release pressure.
  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 2.1 g
  • Fat: 15.4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.8 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 51.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 133.8 mg

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive money if you make a purchase using one of the links. For more about my disclosure policy see here: https://fitslowcookerqueen.com/about/disclosure-policy/.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”fIZ7e4Ms” upload-date=”2019-10-10T23:51:34.000Z” name=”Slow Cooker Beef Shawarma Bowl” description=”This beef shawarma bowl is a healthy spin on a popular Middle Eastern recipe. Make this shawarma recipe in your slow cooker or pressure cooker (Instant Pot).”]

Slow Cooker Beef Shawarma+ VIDEO
Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Lori

Monday 3rd of July 2023

I didn't use the slow cooker but had it on low on the stove for a couple hours and it was delicious!

Caitlyn

Saturday 20th of June 2020

Made this the other night with petite sirloin and it was delicious! Mine turned out very saucy so we put it on brown rice with the veggies. Found a yogurt based Dill and Feta dressing to drizzle over the top and it was really yummy. Thanks for the recipe!

MahoganyLit

Saturday 11th of January 2020

Can you recommend a good tahini sauce recipe or a prepared one?

Chicken Kofta Kebabs (Paleo,Whole30,Low-Carb) - Fit Slow Cooker Queen

Sunday 8th of July 2018

[…] one of the things I look forward to the most is the food. I LOVE Middle Eastern food. Especially shawarma and kebabs. Kofta kebabs are as simple as it gets in my […]

Leslie

Wednesday 21st of February 2018

I made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely delicious and took minimal hands-on time. This recipe will definitely be a keeper. Thank you!

Fit SlowCooker Queen

Friday 23rd of February 2018

You’re welcome! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe. It’s a personal favorite ?