Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (2024)

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This Vegan Shawarma recipe is all your Middle Eastern dreams packed into a pita! This recipe is super easy to make and can either be presented really simply in a pita on a platter with a variety of pickles, olives and dips.

It’s really up to you how much time you would like to spend presenting it but the beauty is, it can be really simple! In some countries, Shawarma is also referred to as a vegan doner kebab.

Shawarma is typically made with meat, and of course, it’s our job as vegan recipe makers to veganise classics! Traditionally, the meat is sliced from a rotisserie and served with tzatziki sauce, pickles and a variety of salad including pickled red cabbage and Israeli salad.

Ordinarily, shawarma is served in a cone shape, wrapped in a warm flat bread, or in some cases, a pita pocket.

Check out this vegan Greek salad recipe, Middle Eastern eggplant sandwich, or our split pea hummus recipe!

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (1)

A lot of my dishes are inspired by travelling and I really loved the food in places like Turkey, Israel and Jordan. I have used this inspiration and made my own take on a vegan shawarma recipe.

I couldn’t believe how well oyster mushrooms could replicate kebab meat in this vegan doner kebab, or in this vegan shredded chicken!

I am a firm believer in making it taste and look as close as possible. With a non vegan husband, I am forever trying to make dishes that will blow him away and make him realise we don’t need meat in our diet. I am finding oyster mushrooms to be one of the best raw ingredients to recreate this dish with vegan kebab meat.

Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe

Spices are everything when it comes to Middle Eastern food and flavours. In this dish I use a tonne of spices and herbs mixed in with the mushrooms to create the ultimate taste.

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (2)

I used smoked paprika, coriander seeds, clovesVegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (3), onion granulesVegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (4), garlic salt and garam masala. I used a pestle and mortarVegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (5) to grind the cloves and coriander seeds before mixing them all up together.

You can actually store the mix together and use it later for your very own Middle Eastern blend. If you need help figuring out how to use up the spices, check out this spice combinations guide for leftovers.

I sautéed the oyster mushrooms and added all of these spices. You could add a dash of soya sauce if you want a slightly wetter consistency, however, I was quite happy with the mushrooms having a flavour rather than being in a sauce.

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (6)

Whilst the mushrooms were cooking, I prepped some salad. Typically iceberg lettuce, raw onion, pickled cabbage and sliced tomatoes are put inside a vegan shawarma kebab.

It’s also served with pickled chillis and tzatziki. Tzatziki is surprisingly easy to make, It only takes a few minutes and 5 ingredients. No vegan shawarma kebab is complete without this condiment! Get the full recipe for Tzatziki here.

I used 1 clove of garlic, a handful of dill, a squeeze of lemon and some grated cucumber mixed in a bowl with natural soya yoghurt. It was so good! As well as Tzatziki, I added a teaspoon of chilli inside the pita when it was ready to serve.

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (7)

Vegan Pita Pocket Recipes

We had pita on the day I was making this recipe, however as previously mentioned warm flat bread is also fine. Top tip, I always dampen my pita slightly before warming it so it doesn’t go too crispy.

First, I started by adding the chilli sauce and layering iceberg, onion, tomatoes and red cabbage. I topped it with the spiced oyster mushrooms giving a true appearance of a typical vegan shawarma kebab.

I served it on a wooden board with a pot of tzatziki, olives and pickled chillis! Hubby and I really enjoyed it!

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (8)

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Yield: 2 persons

Tantalising middle eastern flavours packed away in this pita pocket. Vegan shawarma is the ultimate pita sandwich!

Prep Time25 minutes

Cook Time10 minutes

Total Time35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 125g of Oyster Mushrooms
  • Tsp of smoked paprika
  • Tsp of onion granules
  • Tsp of garlic salt
  • Tsp of garam masal
  • 2 cloves
  • Tsp of coriander seeds
  • 2 Pitta pockets
  • 1 large tomato
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • 1 onion
  • Pickled red cabbage

For the Tzatziki

  • 1 cup of natural soy yoghurt
  • Half a cucumber
  • Handful of dill
  • Half a lemon
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • Drizzle of olive oil

Optional garnish

  • Pickled chillis
  • Olives

Instructions

  1. Start with preparing the salad. Chop thin slices of tomato. onion and shred enough iceberg lettuce to for 2 sandiwches. You can either use fresh red cabbage or pickled red cabbage from a jar depending on your taste preferences. Put the salad to one side in the fridge until you are ready.
  2. Next, prepare the tzatziki yoghurt dip. Crush a clove of garlic, squeeze half a lemon, grate half a cucumber. Add to a bowl with a handful of dill before adding the cup of natural vegan yoghurt. Mix everything together, drizzle with olive oil and put in the fridge until it is time to serve.
  3. Heat a pan with a drizzle of oil. Chop the mushrooms and add to the pan. You don't want to overcook them as we want them to keep a nice texture. Add all of the spices at once and mix them in. Cook until golden brown, turn the heat off whilst you prepare the vegan doner kebab.
  4. Dampen the pita bread and heat. once it is warm and soft, cut it open and pack with the salad, (chill sauce if you want), top with the oyster mushrooms.
  5. Serve with the tzatziki sauce, pickled chillis and olives on the side!

Notes

If you don't have pita bread you can also use flat bread wrapped up into a cone.

Likewise, sh*take mushrooms are also a suitable alternative to oyster mushrooms due to their texture and consistency.

Oncr youve grinded all the spices together, you can store it for other dishes. This can be your very own homemade Middle Eastern spice mix for other dishes! Make double if you fancy storing the mix.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 746Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 2202mgCarbohydrates: 97gFiber: 12gSugar: 28gProtein: 33g

Vegan Shawarma Sandwich | Vegan Doner Kebab Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan doner kebab made of? ›

Ingredients. 70% seitan (water, WHEAT PROTEIN), vegetable oil (rapeseed oil, palm fat), onions, spices, salt, dextrose, yeast extracts, wort, spice extracts, corn starch, citrus fiber, thickeners: carrageenan, locust bean gum, guar gum.

What is vegan shawarma made of? ›

Instead of soy curls – Use marinated chickpeas, vegan chicken, marinated tofu, vegan steak, roasted cauliflower, or tempeh. Add-ins – Stuff your vegan shawarma with anything you like, such as pickled onions, cucumber, beans, red peppers, jalapeños, banana peppers, or leafy greens.

Is vegan doner healthy? ›

Vegan Kebabs are healthier

Additionally, almost every ingredient in a vegan kebab contains much more fiber and antioxidants than a regular kebab. The doner comes with fresh vegetables like lettuce, onion, tomato, pickled red cabbage, spicy peppers, homemade humous, vegan tzatziki, and hot chili sauce.

Can you freeze Vivera kebab? ›

Once opened keep refrigerated and use within 2 days. Suitable for home freezing. Once frozen use within 1 month.

Is doner kebab Greek or Turkish food? ›

Doner Kebab is a traditional Turkish dish. It is served inside a pide bread ( similar to a pita bread but thicker in texture). Traditionally the meat is strips of lamb and beef marinated in Turkish spices. It is complimented by slices of tomatoes, onions, lettuce and a special Turkish dressing.

Why is doner meat so fatty? ›

The meat that doner kebabs are made from is minced lamb. Lamb is a very fatty meat so minced lamb is going to be fatty. However if a doner is cooked properly on a vertical spit then most of the fat is going to render out so the cooked meat shouldn't be fatty.

What is authentic shawarma made of? ›

Shawarma was traditionally made with lamb, mutton and chicken though these days you see it with beef too. It's commonly served in the form of a wrap, though in some countries you see it served on plates with sides such as seasoned rice or fries, and salads. In this recipe, I'm giving you both options!

What ethnicity eats shawarma? ›

Shawarma is a Levantine dish with a rich history dating back to the Ottoman Empire in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Turkey and Lebanon.

What is veg shawarma called? ›

Veggie or Vegan Shawarma is delicious spice rubbed veggies, with an easy tangy cucumber tzatziki sauce. This meal can be made vegan if needed and it's ready quickly.

How unhealthy is a Donner kebab? ›

Eating a large doner kebab with too much mayonnaise and cheese will also be unhealthy. You may make it healthier by omitting or reducing the mayonnaise and cheese, adding additional salad, and substituting fish or whole chicken breast for the beef or lamb.

Why does doner meat taste so good? ›

A carefully selected combination of spices is used in the preparation of doner meat to create its distinct flavour. From cumin to paprika, each spice is added in just the right amount to create a flavour that is both rich and well-rounded.

What is the healthiest kebab to order? ›

Doner kebabs can be high in fat. For a healthier option, go for a shish kebab, which is a skewer with whole cuts of meat or fish and usually grilled. If you're having a burger, avoid breaded or battered chicken or fish patties, extra cheese, bacon strips and high-fat sauces such as mayonnaise.

Can you eat out of date Vivera? ›

The best before date, sometimes shown as BBE (best before end), is about quality and not safety. The food will be safe to eat after this date if it still looks and smells OK.

Is cold kebab OK? ›

As long as it has been refrigerated, sure you can eat it. Sometimes, if meat is part of the kebab, the meat gets dry. It is better to eat it all when first cooked. If the room is cold all day, you might get away with it but to be honest I would give it to the dog if you have one or else throw it away.

Can you eat kebab meat cold the next day? ›

don't use any uncooked kebab meat left over from the previous day, unless it was placed directly into the freezer once cooking had stopped. This ensures kebab meat is rapidly cooled to less than 21°C within 2 hours and to 5°C or less within a further 4 hours.

What is a doner kebab made of? ›

Lamb is most commonly used in traditional doner kebabs, though beef also stands as a popular option. Other proteins such as veal, chicken, turkey, and at times, some portion of ground meat, are also used.

What is seitan made out of? ›

Seitan is a plant-based meat substitute made from wheat gluten that mimics the flavor and texture of chicken. You can buy it in many health food supermarkets, or you can make it yourself. It's typically made out of vital wheat gluten, an ingredient that has a similar texture to flour but is mostly, well, gluten.

What is inside a doner kebab? ›

A typical kebab consists of bread stuffed with döner meat shavings, lettuce, sliced tomato and onions, with a choice of sauce including sauce blanche, a mayo-yogurt sauce. Kebabs are usually served with french fries, often stuffed into the bread itself.

What is plant-based kebab? ›

The plant based kebab are prepared using granules and chunks of the highest quality. Free from preservatives and artificial flavors, you would love the taste of the product every time. Enjoy it with your favourite chutney, dips, and add-ons to create mouthwatering delicacies at home.

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