Claire Thompson
Gyros and shawarmas are both meat sandwiches that are cooked at a high temperature on a rotating spit and stuffed inside flatbread. They are derived from the Turkish doner kebab. Despite their similarities, they have some differences. Firstly, they differ in their origins: gyros are Greek, while shawarmas are Middle Eastern. Secondly, they differ in the type of meat used: gyros traditionally use lamb, beef, or pork, while shawarmas use chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb. Thirdly, they differ in their toppings: gyros are topped with tzatziki sauce, while shawarmas are topped with hummus and tahini.
Differences between chicken gyro and chicken shawarma
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Gyro is Greek/Lebanese, Shawarma is Middle Eastern |
| Meat | Gyro: lamb, beef, chicken, pork. Shawarma: chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, veal, goat |
| Rotisserie | Gyro: horizontal rotisserie, Shawarma: vertical rotisserie |
| Toppings | Gyro: feta cheese, cucumber, tzatziki sauce. Shawarma: tahini, tabbouleh, hummus, pickled fruits and vegetables |
| Bread | Gyro: pita bread. Shawarma: wrap or pita bread |
| Calories | Gyro: 500-600. Shawarma: 600-700 |
| Nutritional content | Shawarma is a good source of protein and healthy fats, Gyro can be high in saturated fat and sodium |
| Spices | Gyro: Mediterranean herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary. Shawarma: Middle Eastern spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, turmeric |
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What You'll Learn
Meat type
Gyros and shawarmas are both meat sandwiches that are cooked at a high temperature on a rotating spit and served in flatbread or pita wraps. They are derived from the Turkish doner kebab and are typically seasoned with different spices.
The main difference between chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas is the type of meat used. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that is traditionally made with lamb or mutton, but today's shawarma can consist of anything from chicken to veal. Chicken shawarma is easily replicated at home, with many supermarkets selling pre-marinated chicken thighs.
Gyros, on the other hand, are Greek and traditionally made with pork or chicken. In the US, gyros are typically made from a combination of ground beef and lamb. Greek gyros are almost always made with pork, though chicken is also common.
Other Differences
In addition to the type of meat, the spices used in chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas differ. Shawarma is typically made with warming spices like turmeric, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, and garlic, while gyro meat is usually seasoned with Mediterranean herbs like oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
The toppings also differ between the two dishes. Shawarma is often topped with a variety of slightly pickled fruits and vegetables, while gyros usually come with the same combination of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, and a healthy dose of tzatziki sauce.
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Toppings
While both chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas are cooked and prepared in a similar fashion, they feature different types of spices and toppings.
Chicken shawarma is typically topped with a variety of slightly pickled fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, onions, tabbouleh, and fattoush. It is served with toppings like tahini, hummus, and tabbouleh. Unlike the gyro, shawarma never has tzatziki sauce, which would detract from the flavour of the methodically marinated meat.
Chicken gyros, on the other hand, get a fresh flavour and hint of crunch from raw onions, tomatoes, and sometimes shredded lettuce. They are usually served with feta cheese, cucumber, and tzatziki sauce.
Both gyros and shawarmas are often served in pita bread, but they can also be served without bread and piled high on a plate with toppings.
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Origin
The gyro and the shawarma are both sandwiches or wraps that are made with meat cooked on a rotating spit and stuffed into flatbread. They are derived from the Turkish doner kebab. However, the two dishes have distinct origins, ingredients, and flavours.
The gyro is a Greek dish, with the name "gyro" meaning “turning” or “round” in Greek. It is traditionally made with pork, but chicken is also common. In the United States, gyros are typically made from ground beef and lamb. Greek gyros are seasoned with herbs like oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
On the other hand, the shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish with origins in Lebanon. It is traditionally made with lamb or mutton, but today, it can also be made with chicken, turkey, veal, or goat. Shawarma is heavily marinated in Middle Eastern spices such as turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander seed, and garlic.
Both dishes have become increasingly popular worldwide, including in the United States, where they have been adapted to local tastes and ingredients.
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Spices and seasonings
The spices and seasonings used in chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas differ due to their distinct cultural origins. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish, so it uses bold Middle Eastern spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and garlic. On the other hand, gyro is a Greek dish, so it uses Mediterranean or Greek herbs and seasonings like oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, garlic, and lemon.
Chicken shawarma is typically marinated all day in seasonings and spices, giving the meat a complex, tangy, and warm flavour. Common spices used in chicken shawarma include garlic, turmeric, dried lime, cinnamon, cardamom, and even curry powder. Chicken shawarma is also often served with a garlic sauce, which can be similar to tzatziki but without the cucumber or herbs.
Chicken gyro meat is typically seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices like oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, garlic, and lemon. Gyro is traditionally served with tzatziki sauce, a creamy Greek sauce made with yogurt, dill, garlic, and cucumber.
The specific spices and seasonings used in chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas may vary depending on regional differences and individual preferences. For example, while Greek gyros traditionally use pork and are seasoned with oregano, rosemary, and thyme, gyros in America typically use a combination of ground beef and lamb and are more likely to be seasoned with lemon, garlic, and oregano. Similarly, while chicken shawarma is commonly seasoned with Middle Eastern spices, the specific spices used can vary depending on the region.
In conclusion, the spices and seasonings used in chicken gyros and chicken shawarmas differ due to their cultural origins, with chicken shawarma featuring bold Middle Eastern spices and chicken gyro showcasing Mediterranean or Greek herbs and seasonings. The specific spices used in each dish can vary depending on regional differences and individual preferences, but the distinct flavours and seasonings remain a key differentiator between these two popular dishes.
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Cooking method
Chicken shawarma and chicken gyro are both meat sandwiches that are cooked on a rotating spit and served on pita bread. However, there are some differences in the cooking methods of these two dishes.
Firstly, the type of rotisserie used differs between the two. Chicken shawarma is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while chicken gyro is cooked on a horizontal rotisserie. This is because "shawarma" comes from the Turkish word "çevirme," which means "turning," and the dish is traditionally made with vertically spit-roasted stacked meat. On the other hand, "gyro" means "round" in Greek, and the meat is cooked on a rotating spit in front of an upright rotisserie.
Secondly, the preparation and marination of the meat differ between chicken shawarma and chicken gyro. Shawarma meat is carefully marinated for a long time, sometimes all day, in seasonings and spices like garlic, turmeric, dried lime, cinnamon, and cardamom. This gives the meat a complex, tangy, and warm flavour. Gyros, on the other hand, are typically made from a loaf of ground meat mixed with onions and seasonings and then spit-roasted. The meat in gyros is usually seasoned with Mediterranean herbs like oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
Thirdly, the toppings used in chicken shawarma and chicken gyro differ. Chicken shawarma is often topped with a variety of slightly pickled fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, and onions. It may also include other toppings like tahini, tabbouleh, fattoush, cucumber, and hummus. Tzatziki sauce is not typically used in shawarma. Gyros, on the other hand, usually include toppings such as raw onions, tomatoes, and sometimes shredded lettuce. Gyros are traditionally served with tzatziki sauce, a creamy sauce made with dill, garlic, and cucumber.
Lastly, the cooking temperature differs between the two dishes. Both chicken shawarma and chicken gyro are cooked at a very high temperature, but shawarma is cooked slowly, allowing the meat to absorb the flavours of the spices and marinades. Gyros, on the other hand, are cooked quickly, resulting in a juicy and tender product.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicken shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish made by stacking seasoned, marinated meats such as chicken, beef, or lamb onto a vertical spit. The meat is then cooked slowly and thinly sliced before being served in a pita wrap or flatbread with vegetables, sauces, and pickles.
Chicken gyro is a Greek dish of thinly sliced, seasoned lamb or chicken cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is then served on a flatbread with vegetables and a tzatziki sauce.
The main differences between chicken shawarma and chicken gyro are the types of meat used, the spices and marinades, and the cooking methods. Chicken shawarma is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while chicken gyro is cooked on a horizontal rotisserie.
Shawarma is a good source of protein and healthy fats, while gyro can be high in saturated fat and sodium.
