Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl
This Halal Cart Beef Rice Bowl features spiced ground beef, fragrant turmeric rice, and a creamy garlic white sauce—just like your favorite NYC street cart! Easy to make and perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Servings: 4
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
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.