Can You Microwave Shawarma? (Full Guide)

Yes, you can microwave shawarma. However, there might be better ways to reheat your shawarma.

So, you just got back from work. You’re tired and hungry. You have groceries at home, but you’re too tired to cook. So you order two wraps of shawarma.

You realize, though, that you can’t finish the other one. So you put it in the fridge. Now you are wondering how I reheated it. 

Can I microwave it? We answer these and other questions in the articles. 

Let’s get into it.

Is Shawarma Served Cold or Hot?

Shawarma is usually served hot. However, if you prefer your shawarma cold, you can enjoy it. 

Most people prefer to eat their shawarma hot. However, if you have leftover shawarma, you can eat it cold. There’s no rule stating otherwise.

Can you reheat the shawarma in the oven? 

Yes, you can reheat shawarma in the oven. It is the best way to reheat shawarma.

reheat shawarma

An oven is great for reheating shawarma. This is because you can heat the shawarma evenly. 

Just remember to wrap your shawarma in foil. Then heat it to about 350F for as long as you need to. 

Usually, it’ll take about 5 minutes. Also, remember to remove the veggies first.

Can you microwave shawarma without covering it?

Yes, you can microwave shawarma without covering it. However, because you can doesn’t mean you should.

There are certain issues with microwaving shawarma without a cover.

  • The heat can easily escape. Therefore, you will need to microwave it for a longer period.
  • Microwaving shawarma without a lid is easy to get your microwave dirty. 
  • Also, the juices are easily lost when microwaving shawarma with a lid. Not only does your microwave dirty, but you also lose some of the flavors of the shawarma. 

Our advice is that you pull out a strip of plastic cling wrap. Use that to contain any messes if you want to microwave your shawarma. 

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Can You Microwave Multiple Shawarma Wraps at the Same Time?

Yes, you can microwave several wraps at once. Using that method, however, increases the chance that your wraps will be unevenly reheated.

Food takes longer to cook properly as you add more to it. This is true whether you increase by volume or number. This is a basic tenet of microwave physics. 

So, what If you have a huge platter of cold shawarma? Our best recommendation is to either utilize your oven. Another option is to tackle each wrap individually.

Finally, you can place more than one wrap in your microwave. The total amount depends on how large it is. 

You should note that you might have some issues if you do that. 

  • The wraps at the edge of the plate will likely be undone. 
  • The wraps may be overcooked. 

Is It Safe To Microwave My Shawarma?

Yes, it is safe to microwave your shawarma. Just ensure your microwave can completely heat the meat in the shawarma

When you reheat your shawarma, it is important that the meat is hot to kill any residual bacteria. This would require a microwave that can get hot. 

You should note that such heat might ruin the other ingredients. So you can remove them and add them later.

How Long Should I Microwave Shawarma?

You can microwave your shawarma for about 1 to 2 minutes. You want to be careful not to overdo it, though.

How long you need to microwave your shawarma will depend on several factors. 

These includes : 

  • How cold is your shawarma?
  • How large is your shawarma?
  • How many shawarma wraps are you microwaving?

The answers to those questions will determine how much time you need to microwave.

How To Reheat Shawarma in the Microwave

As we have discussed, you can reheat your shawarma with a microwave. It’s not ideal, but it can be done. 

how to microwave shawarma

Here are the steps to take: 

Step One : Take off all the toppings.

Good shawarma will include a lot of fresh salad toppings. Take this off the shawarma before you heat it. This is to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Step Two: Plate your Shawarma

Place the chicken shawarma on a plate that can go in the microwave. You should avoid reheating the shawarma in the take-out container.

Step Three: Cover the Shawarma 

There is one major disadvantage of reheating shawarma in a microwave. Your shawarma can get dry. To prevent that from happening, cover it.

Step Four: Reheat

Prepare the shawarma in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Set the microwave to full power.

Step Five: Bring it Out and Check

Once 30 seconds have passed, remove the lid from the chicken shawarma. Take the temperature of the meat. If it is hot enough, it is ready to be served.

Step Six: Reheat Once More

This is optional if you feel the shawarma needs to warm up more. You can reheat it in 20-second intervals until the chicken is at the desired temperature.

Step Seven: Reassemble your Shawarma 

Before you enjoy your shawarma, remember to top it with the toppings you removed earlier.

How to reheat shawarma without microwave

You can still reheat your shawarma if you don’t have a microwave. Use a pan and a stovetop.

Here are the steps to follow : 

  • Remove the veggies from your shawarma. 
  • Place the shawarma bread and meat on a flat pan.
  • Cover the pan with a lid.
  • Place the pan on the stove and set it to high heat.
  • Flip the shawarma as required after 2 to 5 minutes on one side.
  • Repeat if needed. 

What is The Best Way To Microwave Shawarma?

Following the steps outlined above, you shouldn’t have a problem microwaving your shawarma. 

Here are a few things to keep in mind : 

  • Place the wrap on a microwave-friendly plate. 
  • Then cover it with a paper towel.
  • Set the microwave to high power and let it cook for 33 seconds. 
  • Remove the paper towel and feel the shawarma for any cold patches.  
  • You can toss the paper and enjoy your shawarma if there are none. 
  • If you find a cold spot, reheat for another 15 seconds. 

How long does shawarma last in the fridge?

It is safe to eat shawarma for up to four days after it has been refrigerated. You can also freeze your shawarma and reheat it when ready to eat it if you cannot eat it within four days.

Final Verdict

So there you have it. You can reheat shawarma in the microwave. Just remember to cover it.

Also, remember to remove the veggies. This will prevent them from wilting and going soggy. 

So microwave your shawarma and enjoy yourself!