Gyros and shawarmas are two comparable — but distinct — dishes which have turn into well-liked avenue meals around the globe.
They’re each impressed by the cooking strategy of the Turkish doner kebab developed through the Ottoman Empire.
The method consists of stacking meat on a vertical skewer or rotisserie to type a cone, which slowly rotates subsequent to a warmth supply to permit the meat to prepare dinner.
As such, gyros and shawarmas are comparable in that they’re cooked on a vertical rotisserie, typically ready with the identical meat, and served on pita bread.
Nonetheless, these two dishes are staples of two completely different Mediterranean cuisines, and subsequently, they’re completely different from each other.
This text takes a more in-depth have a look at the similarities and variations between gyros and shawarmas.
One primary distinction between a gyro and a shawarma is the dishes’ origins.
Historical past of gyro
A gyro is a dish of Greek origin. In reality, the phrase gyro is definitely the Greek phrase for “spherical,” which refers back to the vertical rotisserie through which the meat is cooked.
Moreover, gyros are ready and topped utilizing contemporary substances historically utilized in Greek delicacies.
Gyros are often made with lamb, beef, pork, or rooster, and the meat is seasoned with thyme, oregano, and rosemary.
As soon as the outer layers of the meat are cooked, they’re shaved into skinny slices and served on pita bread unfold with hummus.
A gyro is then topped with tomato, crimson onion, lettuce, french fries, and tzatziki — a standard Greek dip or sauce made with yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, garlic, and herbs like dill, mint, or thyme.
Historical past of shawarma
Shawarma is a dish of Center Japanese origin, and lots may be discovered by means of its identify and substances.
The identify shawarma derives from the phrase çevirme, which is Turkish for “turning” — which additionally refers back to the meat’s cooking method.
Whereas shawarmas are additionally served on pita bread or wrapped in a flatbread unfold with hummus, they’re historically made with lamb, rooster, veal, or turkey, and typically a mix of meats.
Nonetheless, the meat is seasoned with spices like turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and garlic.
It’s topped with tabbouleh (a standard bulgur-based salad), pickled veggies, and tahini — a Center Japanese condiment product of floor sesame seeds.
Abstract
Gyros and shawarmas are each made in a vertical rotisserie and served on pita bread with hummus. Nonetheless, gyros have a Greek origin, and shawarmas are Center Japanese. Every is made utilizing conventional substances.
Beneath is a comparability of gyros and shawarmas’ primary variations and similarities:
Whereas gyros and shawarmas share a number of substances and look very a lot alike, they every have distinctive taste profiles, that are predominantly decided by the way in which the meat is ready earlier than being cooked.
Frequent substances in gyro vs. shawarma
Gyros and shawarmas are sandwich-like dishes that share many substances, together with:
- Pita bread: Whether or not it’s minimize right into a pocket and full of the substances or used as a flatbread, pita provides each dishes their attribute construction. It’s also their primary supply of carbohydrates (
1 ). - Meat: Lamb and rooster are sometimes utilized in each gyros and shawarmas. Whereas lamb is a type of red meat and rooster is a chicken, they’re each top quality protein sources that present all important amino acids — those you will need to get from meals as a result of your physique can’t produce them (
2 ,3 ). - Hummus: Hummus is a Center Japanese unfold constructed from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and spices. It’s a nutrient-dense ingredient wealthy in fiber, wholesome fat, nutritional vitamins E and C, folate, magnesium, potassium, and iron. As such, it has been linked to a number of well being advantages (
4 ,5 ).
Taste profiles of gyro vs. shawarma
Regardless of sharing most of their primary substances, gyros and shawarmas style fairly completely different.
On the one hand, gyros have a classical Mediterranean taste on account of the usage of contemporary uncooked greens, reminiscent of crimson onions and tomatoes, and the yogurt, cucumber, and dill from the tzatziki.
As well as, the meat is seasoned proper earlier than being stacked into the skewer, and the selection of spices provides it a aromatic, gentle, and barely minty style.
Quite the opposite, shawarma’s substances and seasonings give it a spicier, hotter, and extra complicated taste profile, which is highlighted by the number of flavors offered by its typical toppings.
As an example, the pickled veggies, which frequently embody carrots, cabbage, and onions, add a little bit of tanginess to the dish. In the meantime, the tahini and tabbouleh — constructed from chopped tomatoes, onions, parsley, mint, bulgur wheat, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt — ship an earthy but contemporary style.
And in contrast to gyro meat, shawarma meat is marinated at size — typically in a single day — to permit for a richer taste profile.
Abstract
Gyros and shawarmas share a few of their primary substances, reminiscent of the kind of bread, meat, and hummus. Nonetheless, gyros have a contemporary taste profile, whereas shawarmas are spicier, hotter, and extra complicated.
Gyros and shawarmas are each full meals that present all three macronutrients: carbs, proteins, and fat.
Beneath is the comparability between a 390-gram serving of beef gyro and shawarma (
Usually talking, gyros are inclined to have a better carb rely because of the addition of french fries. In distinction, shawarmas’ elevated fats content material could also be because of the tahini, which consists primarily of heart-healthy fats (
Moreover, one potential clarification for shawarmas’ increased protein content material may be that there’s room for extra meat with out the french fries.
Nonetheless, take into account that the dietary profile of each gyros and shawarmas will rely on measurement and what meat and toppings you choose.
Abstract
Gyros and shawarmas present all three macronutrients. Nonetheless, their dietary profiles might differ relying on the choice of meat and toppings.
Gyros and shawarmas have turn into more and more well-liked avenue meals and, thus, are sometimes consumed by themselves on the go or with a facet of french fries.
Nonetheless, when you’re planning on serving a Greek- or Center Japanese-inspired meal, you may pair gyros or shawarmas with quite a few scrumptious facet dishes.
Since each of them already present their justifiable share of proteins, carbs, and fat, you could wish to deal with serving them with veggie-rich sides.
For instance, gyros pair properly with:
- roasted vegetables like bell peppers
- a basic Greek salad made with tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions, kalamata olives, and feta cheese
- a hearty moussaka (a Mediterranean eggplant lasagna)
As for shawarma, it may be served with:
- a mezze platter: an assortment of conventional Center Japanese appetizers, dips, and spreads that usually embody hummus and baba ganoush — an eggplant dip — feta or mozzarella cheese, olives, artichoke hearts, uncooked and roasted greens, dried fruits like dates and figs, and contemporary fruits like grapes
- additional pickled veggies
- tabbouleh
In the case of drinks, each gyros and shawarmas pair properly with beer and red wine.
However think about retaining that alcohol consumption gentle. The newest Dietary Tips for People advocate 2 drinks or fewer in a day for males and 1 drink or fewer in a day for ladies to stop hurt to your well being (
Alternatively, mint tea is a standard non-alcoholic Mediterranean beverage that you would be able to get pleasure from both scorching or chilly together with your meal.
Abstract
Gyros and shawarmas may be loved by themselves on the go, or you may add to the meal by serving them with conventional veggie-rich facet dishes.
Gyros and shawarmas have a number of similarities, together with most of their substances and their primary cooking methodology.
The first variations come all the way down to their origins and taste profiles. Gyros are Greek and have a contemporary style, whereas shawarmas are Center Japanese with a spicier and extra complicated taste.
Each gyros and shawarmas present all three macronutrients and are sometimes consumed by themselves on the go. Nonetheless, you may make probably the most out of each by pairing them with veg-heavy facet dishes.
