Shawarma Pulled Lamb Recipe | Middle Eastern BBQ Dry Rub

Pulled lamb with a Shawarma dry rub is one of the most distinctive dishes you can make on the BBQ. The Shawarma BBQ Rub — with cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and coriander — gives the lamb a deep, warm flavor reminiscent of the best shawarma you've ever tasted. But from the BBQ, with a crispy bark you can't buy anywhere else.

What do you need?

  • 1.5–2 kg boneless lamb leg or shoulder
  • 50–60g Shawarma BBQ Rub
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • BBQ or oven
  • Butcher paper or aluminum foil
  • Meat thermometer

Preparation

Mix the Shawarma BBQ Rub with olive oil and lemon juice to form a thick marinade. Rub this generously over the lamb — including any incisions. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Preparation on the BBQ (low & slow)

  1. Preheat the BBQ for indirect heat: 120–130°C.
  2. Place the lamb on the grate.
  3. Smoke for 3–4 hours without opening. Use cherry wood or olive wood for a Mediterranean smoky flavor.
  4. Wrap the meat in butcher paper when the core temperature reaches 70°C.
  5. Continue cooking until a core temperature of 90–95°C — another 1.5–2 hours.
  6. Let rest for 30 minutes before pulling the meat.

Preparation in the oven

  1. Preheat the oven to 150°C (convection).
  2. Place the lamb in an oven dish with a splash of water and lemon juice.
  3. Cover with foil and cook for 3–4 hours until the meat is tender.
  4. Remove the foil and set the oven to 220°C for 20 minutes for a crispy bark.
  5. Let rest and pull the meat with two forks.

Tips for the perfect pulled lamb

  • Lamb shoulder is ideal — more fat than lamb leg, so a juicier result
  • Lemon in the marinade is essential — it cuts through the lamb's fat
  • Pull the meat coarsely — large pieces give more texture
  • Save the cooking liquid and mix it into the pulled meat

Serving

Serve in a pita bread with tzatziki, grilled eggplant, and fresh parsley. Or as a main course with couscous, roasted chickpeas, and a fresh tomato salad.

→ Order the Shawarma BBQ Rub
→ Also check out the Shawarma Chicken Recipe
→ All about Shawarma BBQ Rub — flavor profile & tips
→ Discover more flavors with the Starter Pack

Want to learn more about BBQ techniques?

→ What is low & slow BBQ? The basics explained
→ How to make a perfect bark?
→ The stall — what is it and what do you do with it?
→ Core temperatures for BBQ — complete overview
→ Which smoking wood to use? Hickory, apple, cherry, and mesquite explained