Arayes | Middle Eastern Stuffed Pita

Arayes are a beloved Middle Eastern street food! Pita bread stuffed with spiced ground beef, grilled or baked to perfection. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick snack. Serve with yogurt or tahini sauce for the ultimate flavor! 😋

Ingredients

• 1 lb (500g) extra lean ground beef
• 5 garlic cloves, peeled
• ½ onion, peeled and quartered
• ½ cup parsley, packed
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp seven spice (or allspice)
• 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for the meat)
• 2–3 tbsp olive oil (for the pitas)
• 4 small round pitas (about 4 inches)

Instructions

1️⃣ Prep the Meat:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (if baking).
• Finely chop garlic, onion, and parsley or pulse in a food processor.
• Mix ground beef with chopped mixture, spices, pomegranate molasses, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Use hands to combine thoroughly.

2️⃣ Stuff the Pitas:

• Cut pitas in half to form pockets.
• Stuff each pita with 1.5–2 tbsp of meat mixture, pressing down to flatten and ensure the filling reaches the edges.
• Brush outside with olive oil on all sides.

3️⃣ Cook:

Grill Method:

• Heat a cast iron grill or skillet with oil.
• Cook pitas 3–4 minutes per side on medium-high heat, pressing with a spatula.
• Flip onto open (meat) side and sear. Adjust heat as needed.

Bake Method:

• Place pitas on a baking sheet with a rack (avoid parchment paper).
• Bake 20 minutes, turning halfway.
• Optional: Broil for a few minutes to crisp. Watch closely to avoid burning.

4️⃣ Serve:

• Serve immediately with yogurt, tahini sauce, or ketchup and fries. Enjoy!