Have you ever had the pleasure of indulging in the deliciousness of shawarma or gyro? If you haven’t, you’re missing out! Both are Middle Eastern dishes, popular street food in many countries worldwide.
They are made with various meats and spices and served on a flatbread or pita. But don’t let the similarities fool you, there are some key differences between the two dishes that make them unique.
In today’s article, let’s explore the difference between the two. Here’s what you need to know:
Gyro vs. Shawarma
Gyro is a Greek dish of thinly sliced, seasoned lamb or pork cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is then served on a flatbread with vegetables and a tzatziki sauce. Gyro has a strong, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness and garlic.
On the other hand, Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made by stacking seasoned, marinated meats such as beef, lamb, or chicken onto a vertical spit. The meat is then cooked slowly and thinly sliced before being served in a pita wrap or flatbread with vegetables, sauces, and pickles. Shawarma has a strong, smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade.
Taste
When it comes to taste, Gyro and Shawarma both have their unique flavors. Gyro is savory with a hint of sweetness and garlic, while Shawarma has a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade.
To add flavor and texture, both dishes can be topped with various sauces, pickles, and vegetables.
Ingredients
The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used. Shawarma is typically made with chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb, while gyro is traditionally made with pork. Shawarma is also cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while gyro is cooked on a horizontal rotisserie.
In terms of ingredients, both dishes typically include thinly sliced meat, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and tahini sauce. Shawarma may also include pickles, french fries, and hot sauce, while gyro may include feta cheese, cucumber, and tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition
Gyros are traditionally served in pita bread and typically contain about 500-600 calories per serving. The main source of calories in a gyro comes from beef or lamb, which is typically high in fat and protein. The pita bread is usually made with white flour, which is low in fiber but high in carbohydrates. The tomatoes, onions, and tahini sauce add vitamins and minerals but only a few calories.
Shawarma, on the other hand, is usually served on a plate with rice or hummus. A typical serving of shawarma has about 600-700 calories, slightly higher than a gyro. The main source of calories in shawarma is still beef or lamb, but hummus or rice adds some extra carbohydrates. The vegetables, such as tomatoes and onions, are also a source of vitamins and minerals.
In terms of fat and protein, both gyros and shawarmas are similar. A typical serving of either dish contains about 15-20 grams of fat and 20-25 grams of protein. This makes them a good source of both macronutrients.
When it comes to vitamins and minerals, shawarma has a slight edge over gyros. This is because the hummus and rice in the shawarma add a few extra vitamins and minerals not found in the gyro.
The Bottom Line
Gyro and Shawarma are two very delicious dishes that offer a variety of flavors, textures, and aromas. They are both perfect for a meal, as they can be enjoyed as a wrap, sandwich, or pita. Both dishes offer a great combination of proteins, vegetables, and sauces that satisfy the taste buds. Gyro and Shawarma can be found in many restaurants and are an excellent choice for those looking for a flavorful and filling meal.
If you’re from Chesterton, Indiana, and all this talk of Greek cuisine has your stomach rumbling, we’ve got just the thing for you. George’s Gyros Spot is the best place to go to satisfy all your Greek food cravings. We offer everything from traditional gyros to burgers and fries. Come by our restaurant or order online!
FAQs
While gyros usually come with the same combo of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, shawarmas are often topped with a medley of pickled fruits and veggies. Shawarma is a predecessor to tacos al pastor, a Mexican dish made of spit-grilled pork. The method likely made its way to Mexico via Lebanese immigrants.
What's the difference between shawarma and gyro? ›
Gyro is savory with a hint of sweetness and garlic, while Shawarma has a smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade. To add flavor and texture, both dishes can be topped with various sauces, pickles, and vegetables. The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used.
What makes shawarma different? ›
Shawarma is marinated with various seasonings and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and paprika. It is made by stacking thinly sliced meat, typically lamb, beef, or chicken, on a large rotating skewer or cone. It is also sometimes cooked with extra fat from the meat to give it a juicer taste.
What is the difference between gyro sauce and shawarma sauce? ›
The two also use different sauces. Gyros get a healthy dose of tzatziki sauce, a creamy sauce of dill, garlic, and usually cucumber, while shawarma is usually topped with a big dollop of fresh hummus and maybe some tahini for a little hint of creaminess, per Healthline.
What is the meat called in a gyro? ›
Gyros has always been just pork and in recent years chicken has also been added as a more ''healthy'' choice. Lamb and beef are never used and if they are used in a ''gyros'' style sandwich they are always branded as kebab.
What the heck is shawarma? ›
What is Shawarma? Shawarma is a classic Levantine Arab dish of meat (lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats) seasoned and placed vertically on a spit and slow roasted. It's typically sliced thinly and served with tabbouleh, fattoush salad, bread, tomato, and cucumber and various sauces.
What is shawarma called in America? ›
When people in America hear the term shawarma, they think of gyro, and while gyro is prepared the same way as shawarma, it is not created using the same kind of meats. Gyro is made with ground meat, lamb, beef, or goat.
What is real shawarma made of? ›
Shawarma is prepared from thin cuts of seasoned and marinated lamb, mutton, veal, beef, chicken, or turkey. The slices are stacked on a skewer about 60 cm (20 in) high. Pieces of fat may be added to the stack to provide extra juiciness and flavour.
What is the secret of shawarma? ›
Shawarma is all about the delicious sauces that accompany the meat – typically garlic yoghurt or tahini and hommus – and the secret ingredient: pickles. Pickled vegetables are what take shawarma to a whole new plane: pickled cucumbers, turnips, and even carrots or mangoes are common.
Which type of shawarma is best? ›
Best Shawarma Recipes
- Grilled Lamb Shawarma Platter. ...
- Pulled Lamb Shawarma Sandwich. ...
- Slow Cooked Lamb Shawarma. ...
- Lebanese Beef Shawarma. ...
- Shawarma Grilling Marinade. Plays Well with Butter. ...
- Loaded Beef Shawarma Fries. Taste Great Foodie. ...
- Vegan Sheet Pan Shawarma. This Mess is Ours. ...
- Chicken Shawarma with Yogurt Sauce. Baking Mischief.
The only difference is that in Greece its calls Souvlaki. and in Turkey its calls Kebab and in Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and other countries it's called Shawarma.
Which country owns shawarma? ›
shawarma, popular street food in the Middle East, which originated in Turkey and is made of spit-roasted layers of lamb, beef, or other meat that are sliced and often wrapped in or served with pita.
What kind of meat is Arby's gyro? ›
Arby's Traditional Greek Gyro features a blend of beef, lamb and Mediterranean spices sliced from a spit rotisserie and placed on a warm flatbread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki sauce and Greek seasoning.
What is in tzatziki sauce made of? ›
What is tzatziki? Tzatziki is a salted yogurt and cucumber dip that's made of strained yogurt, shredded cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and herbs. Authentic Greek tzatziki is most often made with sheep or goat yogurt, but my tzatziki recipe calls for regular full-fat Greek yogurt.
Why are there no lamb gyros in Greece? ›
Lamb Gyros
Gyros, which are inspired by the Turkish doner kebab, aren't native to Greece. According to estimates, gyros didn't make their way there until the 1920s. Though popular in the U.S., lamb gyros are hardly consumed at all in Greece.
What type of meat is shawarma? ›
Shawarma is prepared from thin cuts of seasoned and marinated lamb, mutton, veal, beef, chicken, or turkey. The slices are stacked on a skewer about 60 cm (20 in) high. Pieces of fat may be added to the stack to provide extra juiciness and flavour.
What is shawarma called in Greek? ›
This döner kebab, or “rolled kebab,” was adopted in neighbouring countries: in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan it came to be known in Arabic as shawarma, a loanword from the Turkish çevirme, or “turn,” and in Greece as gyro, with the same meaning.
Which came first, gyro or shawarma? ›
The earliest known shawarma was apparently invented in Bursa, Turkey. The wrap was so good that it quickly spread to the other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern civilizations. It has now evolved into a delectable dish that is enjoyed by people all around the world. Gyros were invented in Greece in 1922.
