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Beef Arayes

These crispy beef arayes are made with pita bread stuffed with a flavorful mixture of spiced ground beef, garlic, onion, and herbs, then pan-seared until golden and served with a cool yogurt sauce. This easy Middle Eastern-inspired dish makes a delicious weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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Ingredients

Arayes

  • 6 pita breads halved to make 12 pockets
  • 2 lb ground beef I used 90/10
  • 1 onion grated and strained of excess juice
  • 5 cloves garlic grated
  • 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp all spice
  • 1 tsp sumac
  • 2 tsp salt

Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 tbsp parlsey finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Make the Beef Filling

  • In a large bowl, combine:
    • Grated and strained onion
    • Grated garlic
    • Chopped parsley
    • Ground coriander, cumin, smoked paprika, allspice, salt, and sumac
    • Ground beef
    Mix everything together with your hands until the mixture is evenly combined.

Stuff the Pitas

  • Cut each pita in half to create 12 halves. Gently open the pocket and stuff with a thin layer of the meat mixture. Avoid overfilling—just enough to create an even layer about ½ inch thick or less.

Cook the Arayes

  • Heat a grill pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Lightly oil the pan if needed. Place the arayes flat-side down and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Make sure to sear the edge (the stuffed side) by standing it up with tongs for a few seconds to get that crisp finish.

Make the Yogurt Sauce

  • In a small bowl, combine:
    • 1 cup plain yogurt
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 grated garlic cloves
    • 1 tbsp chopped parsley
    Stir until smooth. Chill until ready to serve.