Turkey Shawarma With Crunchy Vegetables

A delicious Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring warm spiced turkey meat served in pita pockets with a cooling yogurt sauce and crisp fresh vegetables. The combination of aromatic spices and fresh herbs creates a flavorful and satisfying meal.

6 servings
35 min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 3 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 cups shredded turkey meat
  • 1 small red onion
  • 2 medium Persian cucumbers
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 4 whole radishes
  • 1⅔ tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 cups mixed tender herbs
  • 6 whole white pitas
  • 1 to taste hot sauce

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Mix yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, and 2 tsp. lemon juice in a medium bowl; season with salt. Set yogurt sauce aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Mix black pepper, coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne in a small bowl. Heat 2 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium. As soon as butter is melted, add half of spice mixture and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add half of turkey meat and toss to coat. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with remaining 2 Tbsp. butter, 1 Tbsp. oil, spice mixture, and turkey meat. Add remaining 1 tsp. lemon juice to turkey mixture and toss to combine.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Toss onion, cucumbers, carrot, radishes, and vinegar in a large bowl to combine. Add herbs, season with salt, and gently toss again.

    5 min

  4. 4.

    Cut 1" off top of each pita and stuff back into pocket, nudging it all the way to the bottom. Spread some of the yogurt sauce inside each pita without tearing sides and fill with turkey and vegetable mixture. Serve with hot sauce and remaining yogurt sauce.

    10 min