Arayes - Meat Stuffed Pita: The Versatile Lebanese Street Food for Your Next Middle Eastern Feast.
Arayes, also known as Meat Stuffed Pita, is a popular dish in Middle Eastern cuisine that is loved by many around the world.
They consist of ground meat mixed with a blend of exotic spices, then stuffed inside pita bread before they are grilled or baked to perfection.
This classic Lebanese street food is simple yet full of flavor that you can serve as a snack, appetizer, or quick weeknight dinner.
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Arayes are super easy to make and a great way to use up any leftover Homemade Kofte meat or Lahmacun filling.
Serve these delicious meat-stuffed pitas with your favorite dipping sauce for a quick and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
What are Arayes?
Arayes, also known as Meat Stuffed Pita, is a popular Middle Eastern street food consisting of a ground meat mixture similar to kofte.
This spiced mixture is typically made with beef or lamb, and mixed with a blend of exotic spices, herbs, and onions.
It is then stuffed inside pita bread or Sourdough Flatbread pockets and grilled or baked until the bread is crispy and the meat is juicy and flavorful.
To add extra flavor to my Arayes, I often include cheese in the filling.
You can enjoy Arayes as a snack, appetizer, or main course with a variety of dipping sauces such as tahini, hummus, or Cacik (a type of Turkish yogurt dip).
Why This Recipe Works?
- It is a simple and easy-to-follow recipe that only needs a few simple ingredients.
- Arayes are versatile. You can serve them as a snack, appetizer, or main course, making them perfect for any occasion
- These Meat Stuffed Pitas are portable and convenient. You can enjoy them on the go, making them a great option for busy individuals.
- You can customize Arayes to suit your preferences by adding your favorite cheeses or vegetables and serving with a variety of dipping sauces.
- The blend of exotic spices and herbs creates a bold and flavorful filling that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients You'll Need
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
- Ground beef - While I usually prefer ground meat with high-fat content for my recipes, it's best to use lean ground beef (90-95%) in this Arayes recipe. Using ground beef with a higher fat content may result in overly fatty Arayes.
- Tomato paste - It adds an umami flavor to the filling as well as a bright red color. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops. You can also buy it online from Amazon.
- Onion - They add umami flavor and sweetness to the meat filling. You can use white, brown, or yellow onions.
- Pomegranate molasses - Adding pomegranate molasses to the meat filling provides a subtle kick and enhances the overall flavor. You can find it in Turkish or Middle Eastern shops. You can also buy it online from Amazon.
- Spices - You can achieve the traditional Middle Eastern flavor by adding a blend of 7 spices and paprika. You can make your own 7 spices by mixing equal amounts of black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, coriander, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Pitas - You can make your own using my Greek Pita Bread recipe or opt for store-bought ones if you are short of time. Be sure to buy a double layer of pita bread to sandwich the meat mixture. I prefer using thick pitas over thin ones.
- Cheese - It is optional but highly recommended! Use your favorite melting cheese such as cheddar, kasar, or mozzarella.
How to Make Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)?
Making this popular Lebanese street food "Arayes" is very simple and straightforward.
However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few tips and simple steps:
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
Place the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, salt, paprika, pomegranate molasses, and tomato paste in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
Cut the pita bread in half and open up the pocket.
If you want to serve them as an appetizer or as a snack, cut the pita bread in half, open up the pocket, and then cut each half into quarters.
Add a few tablespoons of the mixture to each pita and spread it out evenly, making sure not to make the layer too thick.
This ensures that the Arayes will cook through properly.
Make sure the filling goes all the way to the edges of the pita to get a nice sear when grilled.
If you want to add cheese, sprinkle grated cheddar, kasar, or mozzarella over the meat mixture before grilling or baking.
Brush the pita quarters/halves with a little bit of olive oil.
Repeat this process with the remaining pita bread and meat mixture.
Grill the Arayes for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
If you want to bake the Arayes, preheat your oven to 190℃ (374℉) and then bake them for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
To crisp them up, place the Arayes under the broiler for a few minutes.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Top Tips From the Chef
- Use high-quality ground beef or lamb that is fresh and lean. Using ground beef with a higher fat content may result in overly fatty Arayes.
- Avoid overstuffing the pita with the meat mixture, as this can cause the pita to break or become soggy. A moderate amount of filling is best.
- Preheat the oven or grill before cooking the Arayes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Brush the Arayes with olive oil or melted butter before cooking to give them a crispy texture and a golden-brown color.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the Arayes reaches at least 74° C (165° F) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Arayes can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tahini, hummus, or tzatziki. These sauces will add extra flavor and complement the dish nicely.
How to Serve Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)?
You can serve Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita) in a variety of ways depending on your preference.
Here are some ideas to serve Arayes:
- Dipping sauce - Serve Arayes with your favorite dipping sauce like Hummus, Haydari (Turkish Yogurt Dip), Onion Raita, or tahini sauce.
- Salad - Serve Arayes with a side salad like Lebanese Fattoush, Tabbouleh, or Greek Salad.
- Vegetables - Arayes can be served with some vegetable side dishes like Zeytinyagli Kereviz Yemegi - Braised Celeriac, Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts, or Saksuka (Turkish Vegetable Meze).
- Appetizer - Arayes can be cut into smaller pieces and served as an appetizer or a snack.
Recipe FAQs
To store in the refrigerator, let them cool down, place them in an airtight container and then refrigerate them for up to 3 days.
To store in the freezer, wrap the cooked Arayes in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
You can make the meat filling a few days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This will allow the flavors to develop and enhance the taste.
When ready to serve, simply fill the pita bread and cook them just before serving.
Yes, you can use other meats instead of beef in Arayes.
Ground lamb or chicken are popular alternatives that can also be used to make this delicious Middle Eastern dish.
Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the type of meat used, so adjust accordingly.
Related Recipes
For more delicious stuffed bread recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious street food Lebanese Stuffed Pita - Arayes as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun!
Arayes (Meat Stuffed Pita)
Equipment
- 1 grater
Ingredients
- 500 g lean ground beef (5% fat content)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (grated)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon 7 spices
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- 100 g kasar or mozzarella (optional) (grated)
- 4 small pita bread
- 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil (to brush)
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Place the ground beef, grated onion, garlic, salt, paprika, pomegranate molasses, and tomato paste in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
- Cut the pita bread in half and open up the pocket.
- If you want to serve them as an appetizer or as a snack, cut the pita bread in half, open up the pocket, and then cut each half into quarters.
- Add a few tablespoons of the mixture to each pita and spread it out evenly, making sure not to make the layer too thick. This ensures that the Arayes will cook through properly. Make sure the filling goes all the way to the edges of the pita to get a nice sear when grilled.
- If you want to add cheese, sprinkle grated cheddar, kasar, or mozzarella over the meat mixture before grilling or baking.
- Brush the pita quarters/halves with a little bit of olive oil.
- Repeat this process with the remaining pita bread and meat mixture.
- Grill the Arayes for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the bread is crispy and the meat is cooked through.
- If you want to bake the Arayes, preheat your oven to 190℃ (374℉) and bake them for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- To crisp them up, place the Arayes under the broiler for a few minutes.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality ground beef or lamb that is fresh and lean. Using ground beef with a higher fat content may result in overly fatty Arayes.
- Avoid overstuffing the pita with the meat mixture, as this can cause the pita to break or become soggy. A moderate amount of filling is best.
- Preheat the oven or grill before cooking the Arayes. This will ensure that they cook evenly and are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
- Brush the Arayes with olive oil or melted butter before cooking to give them a crispy texture and a golden-brown color.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the Arayes reaches at least 74° C (165° F) to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Arayes can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tahini, hummus, or tzatziki. These sauces will add extra flavor and complement the dish nicely.
Nutrition
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Hannah
First time I’ve ever tried anything like this. So delicious. !! Kids love it too.
Ayla Clulee
That's great to hear, Hannah!
Best wishes
Ayla x