Beef Shawarma And Rice | Instant Pot Ground Beef Shawarma

If you’re craving bold flavors without spending hours in the kitchen, this Instant Pot Beef Shawarma and Rice recipe is the perfect solution. Tender, spiced ground beef is pressure cooked with warm aromatics and then served with fluffy, perfectly cooked rice that is all made in one pot for maximum ease.

Why You'll Love This Easy Instant Pot Meal

• One-Pot Meal. Both the beef and rice cook together in the Instant Pot, making cleanup quick and easy.
• Family Approved. A hearty, filling dish that appeals to both adventurous eaters and those who prefer comforting flavors.
• Customizable. Easily adjust the spice level, swap rice for cauliflower rice, or add vegetables for a healthier twist.

It really was just time for some plain comfort food.

I had ground beef, a package of shredded cabbage and cole slaw, the odd onion, and a few slivers of garlic, and of course, I always have rice and spices in my house (Asian girl syndrome).

So I decided to just throw what I had into the Instant Pot, and decided if it didn't work, there was also Pizza on call.

Everyone had been moving, driving, hauling boxes, etc. all day, and we were all tired and just needed some comfort food before we went to bed.

Some of us may or may not have eaten 3 servings of the rice and meat before crawling into bed. As a matter of fact, this recipe has even become a favorite of my readers.

I served this with a side of kale, and we had Vietnamese Yogurt for dessert. The whole thing took 20 minutes from start to finish. It doesn't get easier than this.

What Is Shawarma?

Okay let's be specific--this is not really a shawarma. A Shawarma can be either one of those loaf of meat, not unlike my Gyro recipe a or it can be chunks of spiced chicken, like in my Chicken Shawarma recipe. Or if you're like me and like to play around with food traditions, you can make Shawarma green beans.

Shawarma typically looks like this hunka grilled meat. Long slices are cut off and inserted between pillowy pieces of pita bread, with a little tzatziki on it, and off you go, with one of the tastiest sandwiches you've ever had.

But when it come to chicken shawarma, usually it's chunks of meat. So why am I calling this Ground Beef Shawarma then?

I'm doing that because it actually tastes a lot like the Chicken Shawarma recipe I created, and it has the same spice mixes.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil- Used to sauté the onions and garlic, helping release their flavors while preventing the ground beef from sticking to the pot.
• 1 cup Onions- Provides a savory-sweet base, adding depth and aroma to the dish while complementing the warm spices.
• 5 cloves Garlic- Brings bold, pungent flavor that enhances the richness of the beef and ties together the shawarma spice blend.
• 1 pound Lean Ground Beef- The main protein, offering hearty texture and flavor. Using lean beef helps balance richness while keeping the dish lighter.
• 1.5 cups Water or Broth- Acts as the cooking liquid for the rice and helps infuse the beef with additional flavor. Broth makes the dish richer, while water keeps it lighter.
• 1.5 cups Basmati Rice- A fragrant, long-grain rice that cooks up fluffy and aromatic, soaking up the spices and juices from the beef.
• 4 cups Shredded Cabbage- Adds bulk, nutrition, and subtle sweetness, while blending seamlessly into the rice for extra texture and balance.
• 4 tablespoons Shawarma Spice- The key seasoning blend, typically made with cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cloves. It delivers the bold, warm, and aromatic Middle Eastern flavors that define shawarma.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances all the flavors in the dish and ensures the rice and beef are well seasoned.
• 1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro- Adds a pop of freshness and color, balancing the richness of the beef and the warmth of the spices.

How To Make Beef Shawarma And Rice

1. Prepare the Pot. Turn your Instant Pot onto Sauté on high. When the display reads HOT, add oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
2. Saute. Add onions and ground beef. Stir while breaking up the ground beef clumps. Don't worry about cooking the beef at this stage, just break it up well. Note, if you have ANYTHING sticking to the bottom of the Instant Pot, pour in 1/4 cup of water and thoroughly deglaze the bottom of your pot.
3. Add remaining ingredients. Add rice, water, cabbage, salt, and shawarma spice. 
4. Pressure Cook. Cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes, and allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure.

Tips And Tricks

Instant Pot Beef Shawarma with rice is a flavorful, one-pot dish that combines Middle Eastern spices with tender beef and fluffy basmati rice. To make sure it turns out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips and tricks:

• Rinse the Rice Well. Wash the basmati rice until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. This keeps the grains separate and prevents a mushy texture.
• Sauté for Flavor. Take a few extra minutes to sauté the onions, garlic, and ground beef before pressure cooking. This step deepens the flavor and builds a rich base.
• Use Broth Instead of Water. Cooking the rice in chicken or beef broth instead of water enhances the savory flavor and complements the shawarma spices.

Variations

Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Shawarma is delicious on its own, but it’s also easy to customize with different proteins, flavors, and add-ins to keep things exciting. Here are some tasty variations you can try:

• Chicken- Swap ground beef for ground chicken or diced chicken thighs. The lighter protein pairs beautifully with shawarma spices.
• Lamb- Use ground lamb for a richer, more traditional Middle Eastern flavor that makes the dish extra hearty.
• Vegetarian- Replace the meat with chickpeas, lentils, or crumbled tofu for a plant-based version that’s still full of flavor.

What To Eat With Beef Shawarma And Rice

Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Shawarma is hearty and flavorful on its own, but pairing it with the right sides and extras can turn it into a complete Middle Eastern–inspired meal. Here are some great options:

• Raita- A cooling yogurt sauce with cucumber, garlic, and mint that balances the warm spices.
• Hummus- Creamy, protein-rich, and a perfect pairing with rice dishes.
• Baba Ganoush- Smoky roasted eggplant dip that adds depth to the meal.

How Long Does It Last?

Instant Pot ground beef and rice shawarma will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container.

The spices tend to deepen as the dish sits, so the flavors may actually taste even richer the next day.

Can You Freeze It?

For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2 to 3 months. To freeze, let the dish cool completely, portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and store with as little air inside as possible to prevent freezer burn.

When reheating, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth or water to restore the rice’s soft, fluffy texture.

Want More Beef Recipes?

• Keto Big Mac Salad- A favorite for the whole family because of my copycat sauce recipe taste just like the real thing!
• Low Carb Beef Stroganoff- Comfort food and Keto? Yes, it's true!
• Low Carb Beef Shawarma- An easy weeknight dinner option you'll want to make again and again!
• Ethiopian Beef Stew- You won't believe how much flavor is packed into such a simple dish.
• Beef Rendang- Fall apart tender meat in less than an hour!
• Kheema Meatloaf- The perfect solution for the days you're craving Indian food but are short on ingredients.
• Kimchi Beef Stew- An easy pour and cook recipe full of umami flavors.
• Bulgogi Burgers- Put your air fryer to work with this fun twist on burgers!
• Corned Beef and Cabbage- A classic done in a fraction of the time.
• Indian Beef Curry- Done in less than an hour and so good you'll wonder why you haven't made it before!

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.