Shawarma vs. Gyro — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 16, 2024
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made from marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, Gyro is a Greek dish with seasoned meat also cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Both are served in pita but shawarma often includes more varied spices and toppings.
Difference Between Shawarma and Gyro
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern street food made from marinated meat, such as chicken, lamb, or beef, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is shaved off in thin slices and typically served in pita bread or flatbread, often with a variety of toppings like tahini, hummus, pickles, and vegetables. Gyro, on the other hand, is a traditional Greek dish also featuring meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Commonly made from pork, chicken, or lamb, gyro meat is typically seasoned with a simpler blend of herbs like oregano, thyme, and garlic.
Shawarma's preparation often includes marinating the meat for an extended period, which infuses it with deep, complex flavors. In contrast, gyro meat, while seasoned, does not typically undergo the same lengthy marination process, resulting in a more straightforward flavor profile.
In terms of toppings, shawarma offers a wider variety, including items like tabbouleh, turnip pickles, and amba (mango sauce). Gyros are usually more standardized in their accompaniments, featuring fresh vegetables and the signature tzatziki sauce.
While both dishes share similarities in their cooking method and presentation, shawarma's diverse spice blend and array of toppings contrast with gyro's simpler, yet distinct, Mediterranean flavors.
Comparison Chart
Origin
Middle Eastern
Greek
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Meat Preparation
Marinated with a variety of spices
Seasoned with herbs like oregano and thyme
Cooking Method
Vertical rotisserie
Vertical rotisserie
Common Meats
Chicken, lamb, beef
Pork, chicken, lamb
Typical Toppings
Tahini, hummus, pickles, vegetables
Tomatoes, onions, tzatziki sauce
Compare with Definitions
Shawarma
A Middle Eastern dish of marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
I ordered a chicken shawarma wrap for lunch.
Gyro
A staple of Greek cuisine.
Gyros are a popular street food in Greece.
Shawarma
Meat shaved from a rotating spit and served with various toppings.
The shawarma was topped with hummus and pickles.
Gyro
Served in pita bread with tzatziki sauce.
I love the creamy tzatziki on my gyro.
Shawarma
Typically includes spices like garlic, turmeric, and cumin.
The shawarma's seasoning was rich and flavorful.
Gyro
Meat sliced from a rotating spit and typically served with vegetables.
The gyro was filled with fresh tomatoes and onions.
Shawarma
Popular street food in many countries.
Street vendors in the city sell delicious shawarma.
Gyro
A Greek dish of seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
I had a lamb gyro for dinner.
Shawarma
Served in pita bread or flatbread.
They serve shawarma in warm, fluffy pita.
Gyro
Seasoned with herbs like oregano, thyme, and garlic.
The gyro meat was perfectly seasoned.
Shawarma
Shawarma (; Arabic: شاورما) is a Levantine Arab dish consisting of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie or spit. Originally made with lamb, mutton or chicken, today's shawarma may also be turkey, beef, or veal.
Gyro
A gyroscope.
Shawarma
Meat, especially beef, chicken, or lamb, that is marinated, roasted slowly on a spit, and cut in thin slices, often wrapped in pita bread and served with various vegetables and tahini sauce.
Gyro
A gyrocompass.
Shawarma
A Middle Eastern sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or a mixture of these.
Gyro
A gyroscope.
Gyro
A gyrocompass.
Gyro
An autogyro.
Gyro
(bicycle parts) detangler.
Gyro
A style of Greek sandwich commonly filled with grilled meat, tomato, onions, and tzatziki sauce.
I'll have a gyro, please.
Gyro
A Greek sandwich: sliced roast lamb with onion and tomato stuffed into pita bread
Gyro
Rotating mechanism in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction
Common Curiosities
What is gyro?
Gyro is a Greek dish featuring seasoned meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
What meats are commonly used in shawarma?
Chicken, lamb, and beef are commonly used in shawarma.
What meats are commonly used in gyros?
Pork, chicken, and lamb are commonly used in gyros.
What is shawarma?
Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish of marinated meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
How is shawarma different from gyro?
Shawarma uses a wider variety of spices and toppings, whereas gyro typically has simpler seasonings and toppings like tzatziki.
How is the meat in gyros prepared?
The meat in gyros is seasoned with herbs like oregano and thyme.
Is gyro served with a specific sauce?
Gyro is traditionally served with tzatziki sauce.
What are typical shawarma toppings?
Typical toppings include tahini, hummus, pickles, and vegetables.
How is the meat in shawarma prepared?
The meat in shawarma is marinated with a variety of spices before cooking.
Which cuisine does shawarma belong to?
Shawarma belongs to Middle Eastern cuisine.
Are shawarma and gyro cooked in the same way?
Yes, both are cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
Can shawarma and gyro be found outside their countries of origin?
Yes, both shawarma and gyro are popular street foods around the world.
What are typical gyro toppings?
Typical toppings include tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce.
Which cuisine does gyro belong to?
Gyro belongs to Greek cuisine.
Is shawarma served with a specific sauce?
Shawarma can be served with sauces like tahini or garlic sauce.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
