Ground Beef Shawarma Bowls (Printable)
Spiced ground beef over turmeric basmati rice with fresh vegetables and creamy garlic-yogurt.
# What You'll Need:
→ Ground Beef Mixture
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 and 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 black pepper
→ Rice Base
13 - 1 cup basmati rice
14 - 2 cups water
15 - 1/2 teaspoon 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 Bowl Additions
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 Steps:
01 - Rinse basmati rice under cold running water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Add rice, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes until tender. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and set aside.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add ground beef, breaking apart with a spatula, and cook until browned.
03 - Add cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper to beef. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until well combined and aromatic. Ensure beef is fully cooked and remove skillet from heat.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and olive oil until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
05 - Divide turmeric basmati rice among 4 bowls. Top each serving with spiced ground beef. Arrange cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, chopped parsley, and pickled turnips or cabbage around the beef. Drizzle garlic yogurt sauce over the top and garnish with lemon wedges.
06 - Serve immediately while warm and enjoy with preferred beverage.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You can pack all your favorite crunchy veggies and toppings—think of it as a build-your-own bowl party without the mess.
- There is something so easy about spooning the creamy garlic yogurt sauce over the warm beef and rice that makes it instantly feel special.
02 -
- If you rush the beef and skip the crisping, the flavor just isn’t the same—the texture is everything.
- One time I tried using cold rice and it turned sticky and bland—serve it warm and fluffy for best results.
03 -
- Add half the spices first, then taste once the beef is browned—adjust if you like more kick or warmth.
- If your yogurt sauce tastes too sharp, a tiny drizzle of honey smooths it out perfectly.