What is the difference between a gyro and shawarma?

Tim Higgins

Shawarma is a dish that comes from the Middle East, whereas the gyro is a Greek dish. Both the gyro and the shawarma are made with lamb, but the shawarma can also be made with chicken or turkey, whereas a gyro is traditionally made with lamb, beef, or sometimes chicken and pork. In addition, both dishes utilize hummus as the main spread inside the pita bread, but the gyro is served with a little tzatziki, whereas the shawarma is made with tahini. the dishes are served with various different spices and seasonings. For instance, a Greek gyro is made with rosemary, thyme, garlic, oregano and many other herbs, whereas the shawarma is made with cinnamon, cloves, garlic, cardamom, curry and turmeric. Shawarma is traditionally served with pickled fruits and vegetables on top, with carrots, cabbage and onions, whereas the gyro is served with fresh ingredients such as lettuce, red onion and tomato.