Ground Beef Shawarma Bowls (Print Version)
Spiced ground beef over turmeric basmati rice with fresh veggies and creamy garlic-yogurt sauce in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Spiced Ground Beef
01 - 1 pound ground beef
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
06 - 2 teaspoons ground coriander
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1 teaspoon ground allspice
10 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Turmeric Rice Base
13 - 1 cup basmati rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Garlic Yogurt Sauce
17 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
18 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
19 - 1 clove garlic, grated
20 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
21 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Fresh Toppings
22 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
23 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
24 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
25 - 1/2 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
26 - 1/4 cup pickled turnips or red cabbage, optional
27 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse basmati rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine water, turmeric, and salt. Bring to a boil, add rice, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, break it up, and cook until browned. Stir in cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for 5 minutes until fragrant and cooked through.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and olive oil until smooth. Set aside until serving.
04 - Divide turmeric rice evenly among four serving bowls. Top each with portions of spiced beef. Arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and pickled turnips or cabbage around the beef. Drizzle with garlic yogurt sauce and garnish with lemon wedges.
05 - Present bowls at once and enjoy freshly prepared.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy yogurt sauce clings to spices and rice, giving every bite that restaurant-level zing.
- It’s shockingly quick to make, perfect for last-minute lunches or evenings when only something hearty will do.
02 -
- If you rush the beef or skip browning, you’ll miss that craveworthy depth—slow down for this step.
- Letting the rice sit off the heat, lid on for five minutes, is the trick to fluffiness that doesn’t stick.
03 -
- Sprinkle salt in layers—over onions, then beef, then after spices—for the most even, robust flavor.
- Grate the garlic straight into the yogurt so you catch every drop of juice and nothing goes to waste.