Crispy & Juicy Lebanese Arayes Recipe
A deliciously crispy and juicy Lebanese Arayes recipe featuring spiced ground beef stuffed in pita bread, cooked to perfection using your choice of grilling, pan-frying, or baking. This Middle Eastern street food favorite combines aromatic spices with a tender meat filling for a satisfying and flavorful meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 halves (2 pita breads halved) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- ½ lb (225g) ground beef (80/20 fat ratio)
- ½ small onion, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pita and Finishing
- 2 (6-inch) pita breads, halved to form 4 pockets
- 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
Optional Add-ins
- ¼ tsp chili flakes for heat
- 1 tbsp tahini for extra flavor
- Chopped pine nuts for crunch
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a bowl, thoroughly mix the ground beef with grated onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Stuff the pita: Cut each pita bread in half and gently open each pocket. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the beef mixture into each pocket, spreading it evenly inside.
- Brush and flatten: Lightly brush both sides of the stuffed pita with olive oil. Press gently to distribute the filling evenly across the pita bread.
- Cook: Choose your preferred cooking method:
– Grill: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat. Cook each arayess 4 to 5 minutes per side, until the pita is crispy and filling cooked through.
– Skillet: Heat a dry nonstick pan over medium heat and cook the arayes, flipping when golden brown on one side.
– Bake: Place the arayes on a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through the baking time for even crispiness. - Serve hot: Allow the arayes to rest briefly after cooking, then slice and serve immediately with your favorite dips or fresh salads.
Notes
- For extra heat, add chili flakes into the beef mixture before stuffing.
- Mix in tahini or sprinkle chopped pine nuts inside the filling for additional flavor and texture.
- If grilling, monitor closely to prevent burning due to the sugar in onions.
- Use medium heat during cooking to ensure the meat cooks through without burning the pita.
- Serve hot for best texture and flavor.
Keywords: Arayes, Lebanese recipe, stuffed pita, ground beef, Middle Eastern street food, grilled pita, spiced meat pockets
