Description
These Ground Beef Shawarma Bowls are a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner made with warmly spiced ground beef, fluffy golden turmeric rice, crisp cucumbers and tomatoes, tangy pickled red onions, and a creamy tahini drizzle. Perfect for meal prep, customizable for picky eaters, and packed with bold Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Ingredients
For the Shawarma Beef
1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
For the Golden Turmeric Rice
1 cup basmati rice
2 cups water or vegetable broth
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp salt
For Assembly
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup diced tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup pickled red onions
1/2 cup hummus or tahini sauce
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Cook the Rice:
Rinse basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium pot, combine rice, water or broth, turmeric, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.Brown the Beef:
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through.Add the Spices:
Stir in garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, and cinnamon. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Assemble the Bowls:
Divide turmeric rice into serving bowls. Top with shawarma beef. Arrange cucumbers, tomatoes, and pickled onions around the bowl.Finish & Serve:
Drizzle with tahini sauce or add a scoop of hummus. Garnish with parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve immediately.
Notes
Lean ground beef works best to prevent excess grease.
Don’t skip the cinnamon—it gives the authentic shawarma flavor.
Store components separately for up to 4 days for easy meal prep.
Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken if preferred.
Add feta, olives, or warm pita on the side for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg