Is Beef Shawarma Good for the Keto Diet?

Beef shawarma has become an increasingly popular dish, especially among those following low-carb, high-fat diets like the keto diet. But is beef shawarma actually a good option for keto? Let’s take a closer look

What is Beef Shawarma?

Beef shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish consisting of thinly sliced beef that is stacked and roasted on a rotisserie. The meat is typically seasoned with a blend of spices like garlic, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika, cumin, and more. It is then served in a pita or flatbread and topped with tahini sauce, pickled vegetables, and garlic sauce.

Traditional beef shawarma contains quite a few carbs from the pita bread, tahini sauce, and pickled veggies. But the dish can easily be “keto-fied” by serving it over a low-carb base like cauliflower rice and swapping the sauces for lower carb options This transforms it into a delicious keto-friendly meal

Nutrition Profile of Beef Shawarma

Here is the nutrition breakdown for 3 ounces (85g) of plain roasted beef shawarma according to the USDA

• Calories: 169
• Fat: 8.4g
• Carbs: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Net carbs: 0g
• Protein: 21.8g

As you can see, plain beef shawarma is very low in carbs and relatively high in protein, which makes it a solid choice for keto. The fat content provides plenty of flavor.

When served in a traditional pita wrap with tahini sauce and toppings, the carb count increases significantly. But by avoiding the pitas and high-carb sauces, beef shawarma can be a perfect keto-friendly option.

Benefits of Beef Shawarma on Keto

Here are some of the main benefits of eating beef shawarma as part of a keto diet:

1. Low in Carbs

Plain roasted beef shawarma contains zero carbs, as mentioned above. This makes it easy to incorporate into a keto meal plan while still keeping net carbs very low for the day. Even when adding some veggie toppings and low-carb sauces, beef shawarma bowls can typically be kept to under 10g net carbs.

2. High in Fat and Protein

Beef is naturally high in fat and protein, both of which are important on the high-fat, moderate protein keto diet. The fat provides energy and keeps you feeling satisfied, while the protein helps maintain muscle mass as your body adjusts to using fat for fuel.

3. Nutrient-Dense

In addition to being low-carb and high in fat and protein, beef shawarma provides an array of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins. Choosing grass-fed beef maximizes the nutrient density.

4. Flavorful

One challenge with keto is that low-carb foods can sometimes seem a little boring. But beef shawarma has a delicious medley of seasonings that keep your taste buds happy. The aromatic spices paired with beef, vegetables, and sauces result in an explosion of flavor.

5. Customizable

One of the great things about beef shawarma is how customizable it is. You can switch up the seasonings, toppings, sauces, and sides based on your preferences and macros for the day. It provides versatility within the keto framework.

Tips for Making Keto Beef Shawarma

Here are some tips for making beef shawarma keto-friendly:

• Use grass-fed beef whenever possible for higher quality fats and nutrients. Flank steak or skirt steak work well.
• Skip the pita or flatbread and serve over low-carb alternatives like cauliflower rice, lettuce, or in a collard green wrap.
• Load up on low-carb veggies like onion, tomato, cucumber, spinach, cabbage, etc.
• Make your own sauces like tahini or tzatziki using full-fat yogurt or mayo and limit to 2-3 tablespoons per serving.
• Add healthy fats like avocado, olives, or a drizzle of olive oil to increase fat.
• Use spices like garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, cinnamon, and nutmeg to add big flavor.
• Grill the beef for delicious smoky flavor.

Keto Beef Shawarma Recipes

To get started with making your own keto beef shawarma, check out these tasty recipe ideas:

Keto Beef Shawarma Bowls

This recipe from Real Simple Good uses flank steak, cauliflower rice, spinach, onions, cucumbers, and a cooling dairy-free tzatziki sauce. It comes together quickly for a filling 30g net carb meal.

Keto Beef Shawarma Salad

Throw together a flavor-packed keto shawarma salad using bite-size beef pieces, lettuce, tomato, red onion, parsley, lemon vinaigrette, and a garlic tahini dressing. Easy to prep ahead.

Instant Pot Keto Beef Shawarma

Cook up tender shreds of beef shawarma in the pressure cooker along with seasonings and broth. Then serve it over zucchini noodles or cauli rice for a fast weeknight dinner.

Grilled Beef Shawarma Skewers

Alternatively, load up beef cubes, onions, and peppers onto skewers and grill until charred. Serve with crunchy romaine and creamy cucumber dill sauce.

Is Beef Shawarma Keto-Approved?

In conclusion, beef shawarma can absolutely be part of a keto diet when prepared properly. Focus on the roasted meat over low-carb sides and vegetables instead of the high-carb pitas and sauces. This allows you to enjoy the delicious Middle Eastern flavors while sticking to your macros. Beef shawarma makes a tasty addition to spice up your keto meal routine.