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Vegan Shawarma with Tofu | The Flexitarian


This vegan shawarma is stuffed with daring and scrumptious Center Jap flavours. Made with frozen tofu, it makes a wholesome plant-based various to conventional meat shawarma.

Indulge within the satisfying flavours of this vegan shawarma – a plant-based twist on a traditional Center Jap dish made with tofu. It makes a wholesome plant-based various to conventional meat shawarma.

I prefer to serve this vegan shawarma wrapped in gentle wrap or flatbread and luxuriate in it with a number of uncooked greens, salad leaves, and selfmade tzatziki. So good and satisfying!

To offer the tofu extra texture and flavour, I freeze it first. You possibly can learn extra about this step beneath. It requires just a little little bit of planning so if you wish to make this recipe on the final minute, be happy to make use of chilled tofu as a substitute, urgent it first as defined within the recipe notes beneath.

For this recipe, I make my very own shawarma mix utilizing just a little cayenne pepper for warmth paired with heat and fragrant allspice. You possibly can customise the shawarma mix to your personal choice both by enjoying with the warmth degree or by including floor cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves. You possibly can even use your favorite store-bought shawarma mix!

I normally make the tzatziki whereas the tofu is marinating. The recipe beneath features a model made with dairy-free yoghurt. You can even make my vegan tzatziki with cashew nuts or swap for typical yoghurt.

What’s shawarma?

Shawarma is a tasty Center Jap dish historically made with thinly sliced meat comparable to hen, beef, and/or lamb. The meat is first seasoned with a flavoursome spice mix, then slow-roasted till tender. Shawarma is often served as a wrap paired with totally different sauces, dips, uncooked and/or pickled greens. Additionally, you will discover it served with rice or salads.

Why use frozen tofu?

In my cookbook ‘Much less Meat, Extra Crops” (pages 67-70), I included a information on tips on how to put together tofu. One of many strategies includes freezing tofu first, then thawing it earlier than cooking it. Freezing tofu provides it a denser texture making it firmer and chewier. It additionally improves the power of tofu to soak up flavours higher. This methodology works finest with agency and extra-firm tofu.

block of frozen tofu

You possibly can both freeze the tofu block complete (in its authentic packaging with the “tofu water”) or lower the tofu beforehand into slices or cube. The latter works effectively when you don’t require a complete block without delay.

Freezing crystallises the water contained in tofu. As water molecules increase, they alter the construction of tofu leading to a spongier and chewier tofu. As tofu thaws, it additionally turns into extra porous, and that, in flip, permits it to soak up flavours extra simply.

Frozen tofu works completely for this vegan shawarma recipe, giving the tofu an additional chew and making it tremendous tasty.

I at all times have a block or two of tofu in my freezer, prepared to make use of on brief discover. Correctly saved, frozen tofu ought to final 3 to five months. To thaw it, merely put it within the fridge in a single day. As soon as you might be prepared to make use of it, merely press the thawed tofu along with your fingers to extract any extra liquid.

Elements for vegan shawarma

To make this recipe, you’ll need some extra-firm tofu, olive oil, and lemon juice. Additionally, you will want:

Shawarma mix:

  • 1 tsp floor cumin
  • 1 tsp floor coriander
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

For the wraps:

  • 4 gentle wraps (Greek-style, flatbread and so on..)
  • 2 handfuls salad leaves
  • 1 handful tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cucumber, diced
  • 1 small pink onion, sliced
  • mint sprigs, to style
  • dill fronds, to style

For the tzatziki sauce:

  • 250 ml yoghurt
  • ½ giant cucumber
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped mint to style
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped dill to style
  • 1 grated garlic clove
  • Lemon juice to style
  • Salt to style

The best way to make vegan shawarma

Step 1: Put together the tofu

To thaw the frozen tofu, depart it in a single day within the fridge till utterly defrosted. Then, gently press the thawed tofu along with your fingers to extract any extra liquid. (see notice 1 if you’re utilizing tofu that has not been frozen).

Then lower the tofu into 1/4-cm thick rectangles (about 3 by 2 cm).

thin slices of tofu

Step 2: Make the shawarma mix

In a big bowl, combine collectively the cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, allspice, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.

shawarma blend in bowl

Step 3: Marinate the tofu

Toss the tofu within the shawarma mix with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and lemon juice. Go away to marinate for quarter-hour.

marinating tofu shawarma

Step 4: Make the tzatziki sauce

Within the meantime, make the tzatziki sauce. Grate the cucumber on the coarse aspect of a field grater. Squeeze along with your fingers to discard as a lot water as attainable. Combine the cucumber with yoghurt, mint, dill, and garlic. Season to style with lemon juice and salt. Put aside.

tzatziki sauce

Step 5: Fry the tofu

Warmth 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high warmth in a big frying pan and fry the tofu till golden throughout.

fried tofu in pan

Step 6: Construct the vegan shawarma wraps and serve

To construct the wraps, place some salad leaves on every wrap. Prime with grilled tofu, tomatoes, cucumber, pink onion, and herbs.

Drizzle some tzatziki sauce on high. Roll the wraps and serve.

roll vegan shawarma wrap

Serving solutions

I take pleasure in consuming this vegan shawarma with cooling tzatziki sauce. Nonetheless, it’s also possible to serve it with hummus, tahini sauce, whipped tahini, or any of the three tahini dressings in my cookbook on web page 303.

These vegan shawarma wraps make a considerable meal, particularly when rolled in a big gentle wrap. In case you favor one thing lighter, you possibly can skip the bread and serve the fried tofu over salad, rice, quinoa, or different wholegrain.

vegan shawarma on wooden board

Watch tips on how to make this recipe

YouTube video

I hope you take pleasure in this vegan shawarma recipe as a lot as we do. In case you make this recipe, don’t neglect to tag me on Instagram!

This vegan shawarma is filled with bold and delicious Middle Eastern flavours. Made with frozen tofu, it makes a healthy plant-based alternative to traditional meat shawarma.

Vegan Shawarma Recipe

This vegan shawarma is stuffed with daring and scrumptious Center Jap flavours. Made with frozen tofu, it makes a wholesome plant-based various to conventional meat shawarma.

DieTARY CHOICEDairy-Free Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Nut-Free Recipes, Vegan Recipes

Prep Time 20 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 10 minutes

Complete Time 30 minutes

Course Fast & Simple, Sandwiches & Wraps

Delicacies Center Jap

Servings 4 wraps

Energy 558 kcal

Disclaimer: the tools record above contains affiliate hyperlinks to merchandise I exploit and like.

Elements  

FOR THE TOFU:

  • 400 g extra-firm tofu, frozen then thawed – see notice 1
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp floor cumin
  • 1 tsp floor coriander
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice

FOR THE WRAPS:

  • 4 gentle wraps (Greek-style, flatbread and so on..)
  • 2 handfuls salad leaves
  • 1 handful tomatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cucumber, diced
  • 1 small pink onion, sliced
  • mint sprigs, to style
  • dill fronds, to style

FOR THE TZATZIKI SAUCE:

  • 250 ml yoghurt (dairy-free)
  • ½ giant cucumber
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped mint to style
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped dill to style
  • 1 grated garlic clove
  • Lemon juice to style
  • Salt to style

Forestall your display screen from going darkish

Directions 

  • To thaw the frozen tofu, depart it in a single day within the fridge till utterly defrosted.

  • Gently press the thawed tofu along with your fingers to extract any extra liquid (see notice 1 if you’re utilizing tofu that has not been frozen).

    400 g extra-firm tofu, frozen then thawed – see notice 1

  • Reduce the tofu into 1/4-cm thick rectangles (about 3 by 2 cm).

  • Make the shawarma mix: In a big bowl, combine collectively the cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, allspice, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper.

    1 tsp floor cumin, 1 tsp floor coriander, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp allspice, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

  • Toss the tofu within the shawarma mix with 4 tablespoons of olive oil and lemon juice.

    4 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp lemon juice

  • Go away to marinate for quarter-hour.

  • Make the tzatziki sauce: Grate the cucumber on the coarse aspect of a field grater. Squeeze along with your fingers to discard as a lot water as attainable. Combine the cucumber with yoghurt, mint, dill, and garlic. Season to style with lemon juice and salt. Put aside.

    250 ml yoghurt (dairy-free), ½ giant cucumber, 1 Tbsp finely chopped mint, 1 Tbsp finely chopped dill, 1 grated garlic clove, Lemon juice, Salt

  • Warmth 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high warmth in a big frying pan.

    4 Tbsp olive oil

  • Fry the tofu till golden throughout.

  • To construct the wraps, place some salad leaves on every wrap. Prime with grilled tofu, tomatoes, cucumber, pink onion, and herbs.

    4 gentle wraps (Greek-style, flatbread and so on..), 2 handfuls salad leaves, 1 handful tomatoes, diced, 1/4 cucumber, diced, 1 small pink onion, sliced, mint sprigs, to style, dill fronds, to style

  • Drizzle some tzatziki sauce on high.

  • Roll the wraps and serve.

Notes

Be aware 1:

  • In case you are utilizing tofu that has not been frozen, press it for not less than 20 minutes to extract as a lot water as attainable. You need to use a tofu press or wrap the tofu slab in a clear towel and press it between 2 plates by securely inserting one thing heavy on high.

Vitamin

Serving: 1wrapEnergy: 558kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 16gFats: 38gSaturated Fats: 7gPolyunsaturated Fats: 6gMonounsaturated Fats: 23gLdl cholesterol: 8mgSodium: 834mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 4gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 297IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 228mgIron: 4mg

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