Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl
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This Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl is bold, savory, and loaded with street food flavor. Seasoned ground beef is layered over turmeric rice and finished with a creamy garlic yogurt sauce—just like your favorite food truck version at home
Looking for more easy dinners? Try these Chicken Pitas with Greek Yogurt Sauce or this chicken shawarma bowl next.
It’s fast enough for a weeknight but flavorful enough to feel special. The shawarma-spiced beef pairs perfectly with the yellow rice and tangy white sauce. Plus, you can customize with whatever veggies you have on hand.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl:
Ingredient Notes
Long-Grain White Rice – Basmati or jasmine rice work great too. To save time, use pre-cooked frozen rice and warm with a dash of turmeric and bouillon.
Bouillon Cubes – You can sub with 1 tablespoon of Better Than Bouillon paste or chicken broth in place of water for extra flavor.
Shawarma Spice Blend – If you don’t have a premade mix, combine equal parts cumin, paprika, garlic powder, coriander, and a pinch of cinnamon or allspice.
Greek Yogurt – Use full-fat for a creamier sauce or fat free to keep it lighter.
Mayo – Can swap for light mayo or just use all Greek yogurt to keep it lighter.
Ground Beef – Use 93/7 to keep it lean.
Vegetable Oil – Swap for avocado oil or olive oil if preferred.
Cherry Tomatoes & Cucumber – Use store-bought chopped veggie mix or pre-diced cucumber and tomato to save time.
Parsley – Fresh is best, but dried parsley works in a pinch. You could also use cilantro or dill for a different flavor.
See the recipe card for full ingredient amounts and instructions.
Recipe Variations
Swap the Protein – Try ground chicken, turkey, or lamb instead of beef for a lighter or richer option.
Turn It Into a Wrap – Use pita or naan and turn the bowl into a portable wrap with all the same toppings.
Add Grains or Greens – Serve over couscous, quinoa, or shredded romaine for a different base.
Pickled Twist – Add a spoonful of pickled red onions or turnips for tang and crunch.
How to Make Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowls: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Rinse the rice in cold water until clear, then soak for 30 minutes. Drain.
Step 2: Combine rice, water, bouillon, and turmeric in a small pan.
Step 3: Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Step 4: Mix yogurt, mayo, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate.
Step 5: Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Step 6: Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
Step 7: Stir in shawarma spice, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 8: Place rice in a bowl. Top with beef, tomatoes, and cucumber. Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle parsley.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Soaking the rice helps improve texture—don’t skip it!
The white sauce can be made ahead and stored for up to 4 days.
For crispier beef, let it brown undisturbed for a few minutes before stirring.
Add pita chips on the side for extra crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Basmati or jasmine rice would work well.
No, but you can make it spicy by adding chili flakes or hot sauce to the beef or sauce.
Stored in an airtight container, leftovers can last up to 4 days in the fridge.
I hope you love this Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl! Please consider leaving a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below. Thank you so much!
More Beef Recipe Ideas
Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl
Ingredients
Rice:
- 1/2 cup long-grain white rice washed and soaked for 30 minutes
- 3 cups water
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Sauce:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Beef:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons shawarma spice blend
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings:
- Cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- Cucumber diced
- Parsley finely chopped
Instructions
- Rinse the rice in cold water until clear, then soak for 30 minutes. Drain.
- Combine rice, water, bouillon, and turmeric in a small pan.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Mix yogurt, mayo, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sauté onion until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart.
- Stir in shawarma spice, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes. Remove from heat.
- Place rice in a bowl. Top with beef, tomatoes, and cucumber. Drizzle with sauce and sprinkle parsley.
Notes
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data