Beef arayes are a beloved Lebanese street food made with seasoned ground beef stuffed into pita bread and cooked until crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Think of them as a cross between a grilled cheese and a kebab, but faster, lighter, and packed with bold Middle Eastern flavor. They are simple, satisfying, and incredibly crave worthy. If you love recipes that feel indulgent but are easy to make at home, arayes will quickly become a favorite.

One of the best things about beef arayes is how approachable they are. There is no marinating time, no complicated prep, and no special equipment needed. Everything comes together in one bowl and cooks quickly in a pan, air fryer, or grill. From start to finish, you can have these on the table in less than 20 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or last minute cravings.

Beef arayes are also a great high protein option that works as both a snack and a full meal. The ground beef cooks directly inside the pita, keeping it juicy while crisping the bread to golden perfection. Each bite has the perfect balance of crunch, spice, and savory flavor. Pair them with yogurt sauce, tahini, or a simple salad and you have a complete, satisfying dish.

This recipe is inspired by the arayes you would find at Lebanese bakeries and street stalls, where they are cooked to order and eaten hot off the grill. At home, you can control the seasoning, the thickness, and the crispiness to suit your taste. Whether you like them lightly spiced or extra garlicky, arayes are incredibly forgiving and easy to customize.

They are also a great option for sharing. Cut into wedges, they make an ideal appetizer for gatherings, game nights, or casual dinners with friends. They cook quickly, reheat well, and disappear even faster once they hit the table. Do not be surprised if everyone reaches for seconds.

If you are looking for a fast, flavorful recipe that delivers big payoff with minimal effort, beef arayes are it. They are budget friendly, protein packed, and endlessly versatile. Once you try them, they will likely earn a permanent spot in your weeknight rotation.

Substitutions and Variations

• Ground beef
  You can substitute ground lamb, ground chicken, or ground turkey. If using lean poultry, add a little olive oil to keep the filling juicy. You can also do 50/50 ratio of different proteins.
• Pita bread
  Regular or whole wheat pita both work well. Thicker pita is easier to stuff and holds the filling better.
• Spices
  Traditional spices include allspice, cumin, and paprika. You can also add cinnamon, seven spice, or chili flakes for extra heat.
• Cooking method
  Pan fry, grill, or air fry depending on what you have. All methods cook quickly and deliver crispy results.
• Dips and sauces
  Serve with garlic yogurt sauce, labneh, tahini, or even hummus for dipping. Pair with your favorite hot sauce for an extra kick.

Print

Beef Arayes (Lebanese Street Food)

Recipe by Julia Vuong

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: MainCuisine: Middle Eastern, Lebanese

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Total time

20

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 lb 1 ground beef (I like using 85/15, the higher the fat, the juicer the meat)

• 1/4 cup 1/4 chopped parsley or cilantro

• 1/4 cup 1/4 chopped mint

• 1/2 1/2 onion, very finely minced or grated

• 3 3 minced garlics

• 1.5 tbsp 1.5 olive oil

• 1 tsp 1 garlic salt

• 1 tsp 1 garlic powder

• 1 tsp 1 onion powder

• 1 tsp 1 paprika

• 1/2 tsp 1/2 chili flakes

• 1/2 tsp 1/2 cumin

• 1/2 tsp 1/2 pepper

• 1/4 tsp 1/4 cinnamon

• 2 2 pita breads, halved

• Yogurt Sauce

• 1 tbsp 1 toum sauce

• 2 tbsp 2 plain yogurt

• 1 tbsp 1 mayo

• 1 tsp 1 lemon juice

• 1 tbsp 1 chopped parsley or cilantro

• Paprika Oil

• 2 tbsp 2 olive oil

• 1 tsp 1 paprika

• pinch of salt

Directions

• Make the filling
  In a bowl, combine ground beef, garlic, olive oil, parsley, mint, cumin, paprika, pepper, garlic salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili flakes, and grated onion (squeeze out the juice from the onion first with a paper towel). Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Fill the pita
  Gently open each pita half to create a pocket. Spread an even layer of the beef mixture inside (about 1/3 inch), pressing it flat so it reaches the edges.
• Cook the arayes
  Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, and salt. Place arayes on the pan, brush on the paprika oil, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the pita is golden and crispy and the beef is fully cooked. Constantly flip around to prevent burning. Lightly press with a spatula as they cook for even browning.
• Make the sauce
  In a small bowl, mix toum, plain yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and chopped parsley.
• Garnish and serve
  Sprinkle on chopped parsley or cilantro, dip arayes into yogurt sauce, and enjoy!