Beef Arayes

Beef arayes are crispy, golden pitas stuffed with spiced ground beef that cook up incredibly juicy and packed with flavor. They’re surprisingly easy to make at home and come together fast, making them perfect for a quick, impressive meal. Try out the recipe below! 

 

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Marinating Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes  

Servings: About 8 quarter sliced pitas 

Ingredients 

Beef Arayes Marinade

• 1lb 80/20 ground beef
• 1 white onion grated (don't strain!!) 
• 4 garlic grated or smashed
• 1 tbs tomato paste
• 1 parsley 
• 1.5 tsp sumac 
• 2.5 tsp cumin 
• 2.5 tsp coriander 
• 2 tsp paprika 
• 2 tsp allspice 
• 2 tsp salt 
• 1 tsp black pepper  
• 1/2 tsp cayenne (optional) 
• ¼ tsp cinnamon 

Yogurt Garlic Tahini Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 3 tbs tahini
• 1 tbs mayo
• 1 juice of a Lemon
• 1.5 tbs Zatara
• 2 tbs Oil
• 2 Garlic
• 1/2 tbs Parsley finely chopped
• 1/2 tbs Cilantro finely chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika

Beef Arayes 

• 2 Pita breads quartered 
• Lemon Slices 
• Parsley for garnish 

Directions:

Yogurt Garlic Tahini Sauce

1. In a bowl, mix together all the Yogurt Garlic Thani sauce ingredietns and set in the fridge while we make the beef arayes. 

Beef Arayes 

1. Grate a whole white onion and set aside for the marinade. Leave excess juices aside but don't strain. 
2. In a bowl, mix ground beef, grated onion, and the rest of the marinade ingredients.  
3. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 
4. Cut pita in half and stuff with the marinated beef. No more than 1/2 inch thickness. 
5. Brush olive oil over the entire pita, making sure everything is coated including the meat. 
6. Heat a pan over medium low with enough olive oil to lightly coat the bottom
7. Place arayes meat side down and sear for 1–2 minutes until browned
8. Flip and continue cooking, turning frequently, until the pita is golden and the meat is fully cooked
9. Rest on a wire rack for 2 minutes before serving to let the juices settle
10. Top with parsley, a side of the Yogurt Garlic Tahini sauce and a slice of lemon.
11. Enjoy!!! 

 

Notes: 

1. Keep the filling under ½ inch thick. If it’s too thick, the meat won’t cook through and you’ll have to finish it in the oven, which can dry it out and make it less juicy
2. Grate the onion and add it directly into the meat with all the juices. Any liquid on the cutting board is fine to be discarded but the onion juice is key for getting that super juicy texture in your arayes