Go Back
Beef Shawarma Filipino Style Pin It!
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

How to Cook Beef Shawarma Pinoy Recipe

Beef shawarma is a flavorful Middle Eastern wrap made with marinated beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy garlic sauce, all enveloped in a soft, warm pita bread.
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time42 minutes
Course: Beef Recipe
Cuisine: Arabian/Filipino
Keyword: beef shawarma, beef shawarma pinoy, beef shawarma pinoy recipe, beef shawarma recipe panlasang pinoy, beef shawarma recipe pinoy style, pinoy style shawarma
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 227kcal
Author: Manny

Ingredients

  • 12 pieces pita bread or tortillas
  • beef tapa (see recipe below)
  • 4 pcs tomatoes sliced thinly
  • 1 small cucumber sliced thinly
  • 1 small bunch lettuce sliced into strips
  • 1 small white onion sliced thinly
  • 3/4 cup grated cheese or 12 pcs sliced cheese
  • garlic mayo sauce (see recipe below)
  • cooking oil for frying the beef tapa

Beef tapa ingredients:

  • 1/2 kilo sirloin beef sliced thin
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. liquid seasoning
  • 3 pcs calamansi extract the juice
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (or 80ml mayonnaise)
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper ground

Garlic mayo sauce:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil or coconut oil

Instructions

How to make Beef Shawarma Pinoy Recipe:

  • To make the beef tapa, combine all the tapa ingredients in a bowl (sirloin beef, soy sauce, oyster sauce, liquid seasoning, calamansi juice, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic, black pepper) and marinate overnight or 2 days in a refrigerator for best result. Fry the tapa until cooked and browned.
  • To make the garlic sauce, just combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix until smooth and set aside.
  • To assemble the shawarma: Heat the pita bread in an empty hot skillet until both sides are light golden brown. Set aside.
  • Lay the first pita bread in a plate and put 1 1/2 tablespoon of beef tapa, 1 tablespoon cucumber, 1 tablespoon tomatoes, 1 tablespoon onions, 1 tablespoon lettuce, 1 tablespoon grated cheese or sliced cheese and 1 to 2 tablespoon garlic mayo sauce on the center.
  • Wrap the filling with the pita bread like a log or a burrito. Do the same on the rest of the pita bread. Add hot sauce if desired.

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips of Beef Shawarma Pinoy Style

Marinate the Beef for Extra Flavor

Letting the beef marinate overnight or even up to two days is key for a rich, well-seasoned flavor. The marinade ingredients—soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, and pepper—need time to fully penetrate the beef, giving each bite a deep savory taste. This extended marination also tenderizes the meat, making it juicier and more flavorful when cooked.

Sear the Beef Tapa on High Heat

To achieve that characteristic caramelized crust on your beef tapa, cook it over high heat in a hot skillet. This technique locks in the juices while forming a lightly charred surface, which adds both texture and flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause the beef to steam instead of sear, resulting in less flavor and texture.

Warm the Pita Bread Before Assembling

Briefly heating the pita in a dry skillet softens it and makes it more pliable, which helps hold the fillings without tearing. A warm pita also adds a slight crispness to each bite, enhancing the texture of the shawarma. Plus, this step helps release the pita’s aroma, making the entire shawarma experience more appetizing.