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Arayes (Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pita)
5 from 48 votes

Arayes (Middle Eastern Meat-Stuffed Pita)

Arayes are pita bread halves filled with a flavorful minced beef mixture including onion, garlic, spices, fresh mint, and herbs, then grilled to crispy, golden perfection. This Middle Eastern dish combines tender, spiced meat with warm, crisp pita, often served with fresh lemon wedges and tzatziki for dipping. It can also be made using ground chicken with feta and fresh herbs for a variation.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 pita halves
Calories: 256 kcal
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • 3 pita bread 5-6 inches diameter, halved
For the beef filling
  • 1 lb ground beef lean
  • 1 yellow onion small-medium, grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated or pressed
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 6 tbsp mint fresh, minced
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes
For serving
  • lemon wedges
  • 1-2 tbsp parsley fresh, minced
  • 1/2-1 cup tzatziki (use our easy greek tzatziki recipe)
Variation: Chicken Arayes
  • 3 pita bread 5-6 inches diameter, halved
  • 1 lb ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1 red onion small-medium, grated
  • 4 garlic cloves, pressed
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • zest lemon from one lemon
  • 4 tbsp mint minced, fresh
  • 2 tbsp basil minced, fresh
  • 1 jalapeno pepper seeds removed, minced
  • basil
  • mint
  • tzatziki
  • lemon use our easy greek tzatziki recipe, lemon wedges; basil or mint for garnish; to serve with

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Make the meat filling: combine the beef, grated onion, grated garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon zest, fresh mint, fresh basil and diced jalapeno in a bowl and mix well with your hands or a spatula to combine.
  2. Divide the meat filling into 6 portions. Shape each portion into a semi-circle that's just a bit smaller than half of a pita.
  3. Carefully open each pita half and put a flattened portion of meat into each. Close the pita and gently press to make the pita flat, the meat filling should be a half-inch thick.*Note: depending on the size of pita you use, you may have more or less portions. Simply use up the beef filling between as many pita halves as needed.
  4. Cook the pitas: Place a pan on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. When the pan is hot add 2 pita halves and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, pressing down slightly on each side as the pita halves cook. Repeat until all pita halves have been cooked, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.
  5. Serve pita halves with lemon wedges for squeezing lemon juice over top, a pinch of fresh minced parsley and tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Variation: Chicken Arayes
  1. Make the meat filling: combine the feta, ground chicken, grated onion, grated garlic, salt, pepper, fresh mint, fresh basil and minced jalapeno in a bowl and mix well with your hands or a spatula to combine.
  2. Divide the meat filling into 6 portions. Shape each portion into a semi-circle that's just a bit smaller than half of a pita. Carefully open each pita half and put a flattened portion of meat into each. Close the pita and gently press to make the pita flat.
  3. *Note: depending on the size of pita you use, you may have more or less portions. Simply use up the beef filling between as many pita halves as needed.
  4. Cook the pitas: Place a pan on medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. When the pan is hot add 2 pita halves and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, pressing down slightly on each side as the pita halves cook, cooking until the chicken is done at 165F. Repeat until all pita halves have been cooked, adding more olive oil to the pan as needed.
  5. Serve pita halves with lemon wedges for squeezing lemon juice over top, a pinch of fresh minced parsley and tzatziki sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • The number of servings depends on pita size; distribute the filling evenly among as many halves as you have.
  • Cut cooked Arayes into smaller pieces to serve as appetizers with tzatziki on the side.
  • For a variation, try the chicken version with feta, fresh herbs, and jalapeno for a milder, herbaceous filling.

Nutrition Information

Calories 256kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 25.2g (8%) Protein 21.7g (43%) Fat 8.4g (13%) Saturated Fat 2.1g (11%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 4.5g (23%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 46.4mg (15%) Sodium 1036.1mg (43%) Fiber 3.3g (13%) Sugar 1.9g (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 pita halves

Amount Per Serving

Calories 256

% Daily Value*

Calories 256kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 25.2g 8%
Protein 21.7g 43%
Fat 8.4g 13%
Saturated Fat 2.1g 11%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4.5g 23%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 46.4mg 15%
Sodium 1036.1mg 43%
Fiber 3.3g 13%
Sugar 1.9g 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.