Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce
Tender slow-cooked beef infused with warm Middle Eastern spices, served with a creamy, garlicky toum sauce perfect for wraps or plates. This middle eastern-inspired beef ready in about 500 minutes blends beef chuck roast, olive oil, minced garlic cloves into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 6, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup water
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt (for toum)
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub 2 lbs beef chuck roast with 2 tbsp olive oil, 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground paprika, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Place the spiced beef in a slow cooker with 1 cup water, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Step 3: While beef cooks, prepare the toum sauce by placing 2 egg whites and 1/2 tsp salt in a clean bowl. Using an electric mixer, whisk on medium speed while slowly drizzling in 1 cup vegetable oil until a thick, mayonnaise-like consistency forms.
- Step 4: Gradually add 1/4 cup lemon juice in a slow, steady stream while continuing to whisk until fully incorporated and the sauce is fluffy and creamy.
- Step 5: Once beef is done, shred it with two forks and serve warm topped with the garlic toum sauce, ideal for wraps or over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Cooked Beef Shawarma with Garlic Toum Sauce?
Middle Eastern beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
