Hawawshi

Name: Hawawshi: Egyptian Spiced Meat Pita Sandwich
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Egyptian
Ingredients: 2 lbs ground beef (80% fat); 1 lb ground lamb; 2 large onions, finely chopped; 1 large tomato, finely chopped; 1 bell pepper, finely chopped; 1 spicy pepper, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, smashed with salt; 1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 lemon, juiced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 8-10 Baladi pita breads; Olive oil for brushing (optional)

Hawawshi is a traditional Egyptian sandwich made by stuffing pita bread with seasoned ground beef and lamb mixed with fresh herbs, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It's a quick, freezer-friendly dish that delivers bold spiced flavors in one handheld meal.

🌍Egyptian 🥗Dairy-Free 🏷️Pita 🏷️Sandwich 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️Ground lamb

Total

40 min

Servings

8

Difficulty

Expert

Est. Cost

$31–$51

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Thematbakh

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef (80% fat)
1 lb ground lamb
2 large onions, finely chopped
1 large tomato, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, finely chopped
1 spicy pepper, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, smashed with salt
1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 lemon, juiced
2 tbsp tomato paste
8-10 Baladi pita breads
Olive oil for brushing (optional)optional

17 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Heat oven to 400°F (205°C).
2
Chop the onions, tomato, bell pepper, spicy pepper, mint, and parsley into very small pieces. Smash garlic cloves with salt.
3
In a large bowl, add onions, smashed garlic, tomato, bell pepper, fresh mint, fresh parsley, spicy pepper, cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Squeeze the lemon juice and add the tomato paste.
4
Combine the ground meat with the chopped vegetables by mixing everything with your hands.
5
Cut the Baladi bread into two halves.
6
Stuff the meat mixture into the Baladi bread in a thin layer. Do not add too much meat.
7
Place the sandwiches onto a parchment paper lined baking pan with the thicker side of the bread facing down.
8
Wet your hands and rub the outside of the bread. Using a pastry brush, spread a little olive oil on top of the sandwich (optional).
9
Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove when the top is golden brown.
10
If the bread is cooking too quickly, remove it and pat the top of the bread with water, and reduce the heat in the oven to 375°F (190°C). Don't flip the bread over.
11
Serve with homemade French fries, pickled turnips, or Egyptian refrigerator pickles.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Finely chop all vegetables and herbs to create a cohesive filling that binds and doesn't fall out of the pita.
Use 80% lean ground beef for juicier filling; very lean meat becomes dry when cooked.
Press the filling firmly into the pita pocket to prevent air gaps, then grill over medium heat for a charred exterior and warm filling.
Toast the finished sandwich on a hot griddle or cast iron for 1-2 minutes per side to crisp the exterior without drying the filling.

Substitutions

Ground lamb → ground turkey or chicken (lighter flavor, use 3 lbs total meat)
Fresh mint + parsley → cilantro or dill (adjust to taste preference)
Bell pepper + spicy pepper → 2 long hot peppers or jalapeños (all heat, less sweetness)
Egyptian pita → Greek pita or naan (thinner bread; reduce filling slightly to prevent splitting)

Storage & make-ahead

Refrigerate cooked hawawshi up to 4 days in an airtight container; freeze uncooked assembled sandwiches up to 3 months. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes from frozen.

Equipment

cast iron griddle or nonstick skillet · sharp knife for mincing vegetables

Common Questions

Can I make hawawshi ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the meat filling up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate, or freeze the assembled sandwiches for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

What type of pita bread should I use?

Use Egyptian pita bread (aish), which is thicker and more durable than standard Greek pita. It holds the filling without tearing and can be griddled or baked.

Can I use only ground beef instead of beef and lamb?

Yes. Use 3 lbs ground beef total. Lamb adds richness and a deeper flavor, but beef alone works and is more economical.

How do I know when the hawawshi is cooked through?

Grill or bake until the pita is golden and slightly charred (3-4 minutes per side on a griddle, or 15-20 minutes at 375°F in the oven). The filling should be heated through.

Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?

Hawawshi is naturally dairy-free. For vegan, replace ground meat with finely minced mushrooms, walnuts, or lentils mixed with the same spices and vegetables.