What to Serve for Beef Shawarma? 10 BEST Side Dishes

Are you thinking of serving your guests beef shawarma but not sure what to serve with it?

If you’ve heard of beef shawarma, you probably enjoy street food.

Shawarma is a savory and versatile Middle Eastern dish that has won the hearts of so many people around the world.

Shawarma has a thin texture with meaty flavors.

You can eat it on its own without any problem, but if you want to explore various tastes and flavors, you can always add a side dish for better satisfaction.

Usually, tahini sauce serves as the most popular side dish for beef shawarma.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Beef Shawarma?

If you’re looking for a dish to satisfy your taste buds, beef shawarma might be what you’re missing.

You can use it as the main course, but it always benefits everyone when there are side dishes surrounding the main platter.

This global favorite is very scrumptious and finds itself in various settings like outdoor picnics, BBQ parties, and more.

And if you couple it with some side dishes, you’ll not only be filled, but you’ll enjoy every bite of your beef shawarma.

Enhance the taste and flavor of beef shawarma with side dishes.

If you’re lost on what recipe to try, take a look at the list of the 10 best side dishes for beef shawarma.

What to Serve for Beef Shawarma? 10 BEST Side Dishes

1 – Pita Bread

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As unattractive as it may seem to look for some, pita bread is surprisingly popular as one of the top side dishes for beef shawarma.

Serve a dish of beef shawarma with pita bread and see if your guests relish the meal.

We’re sure most of them will and praise you for it.

This Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine is a flatbread with a high reputation as a healthy and filling side dish.

This dish is made from ingredients like flour, salt, water, and yeast and pairs with a lot of other dishes, like beef shawarma, sauces, salad, and more.

2 – Rice Pilaf

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Best suited for dinner, rice pilaf and beef shawarma goes along remarkably well.

Rice pilaf is a staple in Asian cuisine and is slowly gaining popularity across the world as an interesting side dish for protein-based foods like beef shawarma.

Enjoy the burst of flavors with rice pilaf and beef shawarma.

You can craft your own ingredients while making rice pilaf because it is a versatile dish.

A vegetarian rice pilaf with veggies like parsley, onions, carrots, lettuce, and more would be an excellent dose of delicacy.

Moreover, this rice pilaf with beef shawarma will satisfy your hunger and fill your stomach.

3 – Falafel

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Falafel is another Middle Eastern dish that is made from either ground chickpeas or beans.

Some varieties include both ingredients.

Popular as street food, falafel has found its way as a versatile and appetizing side dish for many main courses, including beef shawarma.

You’ll surely enjoy the goodness of the crisp and light texture of the vegan treat.

You can prepare falafel in several ways.

You can either deep-fry or air-fry them to get the desired texture and flavor.

The convenience of choosing falafel as a side dish for beef shawarma is that it is a quick preparation time and will serve you well within 15 minutes.

4 – Chickpea Salad

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The reason why chickpea keeps making it on the list is that it is highly compatible with beef shawarma.

You won’t be disappointed by the flavor and crunchiness of the salad.

The perfect combination of the two dishes will not disappoint your taste buds.

Both soaked and cooked dried chickpeas and rinsed and drained canned chickpeas make excellent choices for making chickpea salad.

You can add other crunchy ingredients, such as bell pepper, cucumber, and onion, among others, to the salad mix.

Add an essence of freshness with a parsley-lemon vinaigrette for a finishing touch.

5 – Spinach Salad

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Being a protein-rich dish, one of the top side dish choices to pair with beef shawarma is spinach salad.

A vegetable salad can’t go wrong in neutralizing the flavor of the meat while adding beneficial nutrients for the body.

You don’t have to do much to prepare spinach salad.

You just need to mix your favorite vegetables and fruits to add extra crunchiness.

Since spinach tends to have a bitter flavor, it would be better to use ingredients and flavors that contrast the bitterness.

Once you’ve readied the salad, top it with a creamy goat cheese dressing and sweet raisins for a smooth and refreshing form of appetizer.

6 – Homemade Fries

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Another easy yet delicious recipe on our list is homemade fries.

If you’re looking for a crunchy and appetizing side dish to enhance your beef shawarma, homemade fries will be your best bet.

And don’t just make them for one course.

With beef shawarma on the side, you can be assured that they’ll need second servings.

It is a breeze to make fries at home.

All you have to do is get the potatoes ready in pieces and either deep fry or bake them to a crisp in the oven.

Generally, people gravitate more towards baked homemade fries because it uses less oil and is a better opinion for those who watch what they eat.

7 – Roasted Greek Lemon Potatoes

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This is another favorite side dish of beef shawarma made with potatoes.

These roasted Greek lemon potatoes will burst your taste buds with a vibrant flavor that almost seems to melt inside the mouth.

Roasted Greek lemon potatoes may not be the fastest recipe to cook up, but it’s worth the wait.

The lemon flavor in these deliciously roasted potatoes brings on a unique and special taste.

And the good news is that they pair perfectly well with beef shawarma.

So, impress yourself and your guests with meticulously prepared roasted Greek potatoes with lemon as a side dish for beef shawarma.

8 – Mujaddara

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Add a touch of Middle Eastern vibe by serving beef shawarma with mujaddara.

This delicious rice dish is a classic delight among many food lovers both as the main course as well as a side dish.

It is a vegetarian dish that makes great sides for both meat-based and non-meat-based dishes.

Mujaddara is a dish prepared from rice and lentils flavored with fried onions and other spices.

This dish is unsurprisingly healthy and is abundant in nutrients like protein, vitamins, and fiber.

For added flavor and crunchiness in your side dish, add more crispy onions to the dish and other aromatic herbs and spices.

9 – Tahini Sauce

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This is the staple side dish used to complement beef shawarma.

Tahini is a sauce or dip whose popularity originated in the Mediterranean, Middle East, Levant, and South Caucasus.

It features sesame seeds, olive oil, and some salt for taste.

When you have your beef shawarma along with this rich and healthy sauce, you’ll feel the flavor burst in your mouth.

Whether you decide to make your own tahini sauce or get some from the market, be sure to serve it with beef shawarma and earn acclaim from your guests.

10 – Hummus

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Ever heard of hummus? This delightful and filling dish is packed with protein and makes an exceptional side dish for beef shawarma.

You can spice things up with some paprika and cumin.

You can easily make hummus at home if you have the necessary ingredients.

Making hummus calls for ingredients like chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini sauce, garlic, and salt.

Blend them to create a thick and healthy paste that can take the flavor of your beef shawarma to the next level.