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Arayes

Spiced ground meat sandwiched between two halves of pita bread and grilled until crispy on the outside. A beloved Lebanese street food that's savory, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.

25 minEasyServes 4340 cal/serving

LebaneseLunchGrillStandard

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 0.5 cup red onion, finely minced
  • 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup tomato, finely diced
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.25 tsp ground allspice
  • 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 pita bread

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a bowl, combine 1 lb ground beef, 0.5 cup finely minced red onion, 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, 0.5 cup finely diced tomato, 0.5 tsp ground cumin, 0.25 tsp ground allspice, 0.125 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper.

  2. 2

    Mix gently until just combined.

  3. 3

    Using a sharp knife, carefully create a pocket inside each 4 pita bread by cutting it horizontally, being careful not to break through the edges.

  4. 4

    Divide filling evenly and stuff into the pita pockets.

  5. 5

    Brush exterior of pita with 2 tbsp olive oil.

  6. 6

    Heat grill to medium-high heat.

  7. 7

    Grill filled pita for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden AND meat reaches 160°F internal temperature, pressing gently with a spatula.

  8. 8

    Serve warm with tahini sauce on the side.

Questions

Can I make Arayes gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 4 pita bread. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Arayes keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Can I halve or double Arayes?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubling on the grill just takes more surface area; keep the heat zones the same.

Serve it with

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