By Melissa Clark
- Total Time
- 45 minutes
- Rating
- 5(3,860)
- Notes
- Read community notes
In this vegetarian take on shawarma, the usual spiced lamb, chicken or turkey is replaced with cauliflower florets and onion wedges that have been tossed with a classic combination of cumin, paprika and coriander, then roasted until browned, fragrant and very tender. A hot sauce-spiked tahini served alongside lends creaminess and heat. To serve it, you can tuck everything into a pita or flatbread, or keep the bread on the side and let everyone assemble their own sandwiches at the table. Chopped cucumber, tomatoes and olives are optional, but they add a juicy brightness to contrast with the aromatic, roasted flavors. (Watch the video of Melissa Clark making cauliflower shawarma with spicy tahini here.)
Featured in: This Cauliflower Shawarma Reaches for Spring
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Ingredients
Yield:2 servings
- 5tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 1¼teaspoons ground cumin
- 1¼teaspoons sweet paprika
- ¾teaspoon fine sea or table salt, plus more as needed
- 1teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of ground cayenne
- 1large head cauliflower (about 2½ pounds), trimmed and cut into bite-size florets
- 1large red onion, cut into ¼-inch wedges
- Pita or flatbread, for serving
- ¼cup coarsely chopped parsley, plus more for serving
- Chopped tomato, cucumber and olives, for serving
- 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
- 1 to 2teaspoons harissa paste or other hot sauce, or a large pinch of Urfa or Aleppo pepper, plus more to taste
- 1fat garlic clove, finely grated, passed through a press or minced
- ¼teaspoon fine sea or table salt
- ⅓cup tahini
- ⅓cup ice water, plus more as needed
For the Cauliflower
For the Spicy Tahini Sauce
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)
837 calories; 60 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 35 grams monounsaturated fat; 14 grams polyunsaturated fat; 67 grams carbohydrates; 21 grams dietary fiber; 15 grams sugars; 23 grams protein; 1703 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of your oven. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Step
2
Prepare the cauliflower: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, cumin, paprika, salt, coriander, turmeric, black pepper and cayenne. Add cauliflower and onion, and toss until well coated. Spread mixture in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
Step
3
Roast vegetables on the top oven rack until they are golden brown, slightly crisp and tender, 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once or twice. If the vegetables look dry as they roast, drizzle with a little more olive oil.
Step
4
As they cook, prepare the tahini sauce: Whisk together lemon juice, 1 teaspoon harissa, garlic and salt in a small bowl, and let sit for a minute or two to mellow the garlic. Whisk in tahini. Whisk in ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is smooth and thin enough to drizzle. You may not need all of the water or you may need to add a little more: Tahini brands vary a lot. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more harissa, lemon juice and salt if you like. The sauce should taste zippy and creamy.
Step
5
Warm the pitas or flatbread by placing them directly on the bottom oven rack during the last 5 minutes as the vegetables roast. (Or you can warm the bread on another baking pan if that’s easier for you.)
Step
6
Scatter parsley on top of the roasted vegetables and serve with warm pitas, tahini sauce, chopped tomato, cucumber and olives.
Ratings
5
out of 5
3,860
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Cooking Notes
RP
Have made this two more times since my initial review. Eating it while stoned is currently the main source of joy and self-fulfillment in my life.
dimmerswitch
We have been eating plant based for over 80% of our meals by choice for a couple of decades now and this recipe 'called our names' for a perfect dinner and it was that! Made per recipe for ingredients and technique except for swapping in fresh cilantro for the parsley in and instead of serving with pita or flatbread we served this with rice and the tahini sauce drizzled over all. The tomato (we used quartered cherry ones), cukes and olives for garnish were perfect finish.
val q
So funny, I have been making this, almost exactly, for several days after my husband bought too much cauliflower. So delicious! Also good in corn tortillas. And I do the cauliflower in my air fryer. Crispy and easy clean up.
Cheraud
I made this dish tonight for my husband and I. I am always looking for vegan side dishes to accompany the main meal. I have been married for 31 years, and my husband said this was the best dish I ever made. He gave it 12 stars out of 10. It was enjoyable, and very difficult to stop eating it.. I want more of your recipes.
Z. Stafford
Melissa Clark could make a phone book delicious.
Michal N
I suggest you sprinkle in a few capers if you don't have olives and cubed avocado pieces (not mushy ones!) - they go well with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Janine Gross
This is SO delicious! I added a can of chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry, to the other vegetables, and subbed berbere for paprika because I prefer the flavor, but otherwise followed the directions. I plan to make this often. Great recipe! Thank you, Melissa.
Jo
This was one of the best recipes I’ve tried in a long time! I added a red bell pepper to the roasted veg, but otherwise followed the recipe. It’s key to mix the spices in the olive oil, then toss the veg very well to make sure it’s fully coated. Spicy tahini sauce was delicious. Tomato, cucumber, olives, and cilantro (or parsley) are mandatory. I also served with hummus— for those wanting some chickpeas/added protein.
anna.d
In the absence of olives we added some crumbled feta on top - same salty briny-ness with the added benefit of being cheese, which is never a bad thing. Also used a pinch of Asafoetida (billed the 'Indian MSG') on the cauli and onions which gave them that good good savoury hit - delish.
Sandra Burrowes
I'd make this again. If you like the spices, try using extra. I find tahini to be bitter so I used salt, lime juice and extra harissa to balance its bitterness. A planning note: a 2-1/2 pound head of cauliflower makes closer to 5-6 servings when served inside pita.
Tiggywinkle
Some feta or chickpeas would add a protein and make a complete meal.
Mary Lou Marks
Sprayed the veg with avocado oil and had no olives so subbed capers. Served with naan. A definite keeper!
Dani
I made a cucumber, red onion, cherry tomato, feta, and avocado salad with lemon juice and dill to throw on top kinda like a taco garnish and it was 👌🏻
Gary V
The only ingredients I am missing are lemon juice, harissa and Cauliflower. I had Harissa powder somewhere, I need to dig in my pantry. In any case all can be had easily. In addition to Cauliflower in my stir fry this will be a great alt. Thanks for this recipe.
Abbie
Made this tonight. It was a hit for the whole family. I also added some quick pickled (rice wine vinegar) carrot and cucumber matchsticks on top and used rice instead of pita. I had some ground turkey to use up, so I browned it and added a similar mix of spices shawarma spices. All of it together was wonderful with the sauce.
Loopy
We have made this twice in the last month to eat with the homemade pitas we make in our wood-fired Ooni oven. It is such an amazing dish that brings such a big smile to my face every time I have it. If eating vegetarian would be like this every single time, I'm game.
katieb
Yum!!! Made it without the hot spice and put it on top of a huge pile of salad greens instead of pita. Better than chicken. So good.
Caitlin
Why haven't I made this sooner!? The chicken is so flavorful and tender.
corleoja.
Absolutely delicious
Marie
Extremely flavorful! IMade the recipe exactly as-is and it was perfect. When making chicken or lamb, I’ve added yogurt to tenderize the meat and marinated overnight.
ann
Used eggplant & kumra instead of cauliflower, as a heat wave killed off the cauliflower crop in New Zealand this summer. Still turned out beautifully—the varying textures were quite nice. I also added some arugula to the wrap, which added a nice crunch.
Joan
We enjoyed the shawarma and the tahini for the Super Bowl. Delicious!
Genna
This cauliflower dish is amazing. I could eat the whole pan just standing in the kitchen. We made it for a couple who just had a baby and dropped it off and they demanded the recipe! Well done Melissa Clark :)
Raquel
Melissa never disappoints. Another fantastic meal.
Anita
Absolutely delicious! Our store bought Pita got a little too crisp in the oven - perhaps warm in microwave on gently on skillet.
Amy K
Added some toasted almonds to give it an extra crunch and another texture. Delicious.
pjoe
The flavors and textures cannot be overstated. Otherworldly and magical comes to mind. Don’t skimp on the parsley, tomato (I used use grape tomatoes-not so runny), cucumbers and olives at the end, they are complementary zingers. Advice- diligently watch the last 5 minutes of baking, it will make a difference between close to burned and just right. Will make this for company.
JSOregano
This was phenomenal! The flavors are unbelievable. We were extra and made homemade tortillas, but this would be incredible paired with absolutely anything.
Michelle
This is a family favorite. I add a can of garbanzos or shredded seitan. We eat with pita or with rice, love it both ways.
Mary Young
YUM but maybe do the onions on another pan. The sauce is wonderful ( extra lemon and extra harissa) and don’t skip the cuke/tomato and herb relish. I didn’t have capers or olives and only tortillas. Lovely.
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