Spiced beef mince pilaf

Discover the delight of Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf, a flavorful Middle Eastern-inspired dish featuring savory ground beef, aromatic spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin, and a medley of dried fruits and nuts. Perfectly cooked basmati rice is combined with tender minced beef, dried apricots, pine nuts, and pistachios, then garnished with fresh spearmint and parsley for a burst of freshness. Easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying, this pilaf is a must-try for any dinner occasion!

  • 26 Apr 2025
  • Cook time 30 min
  • Prep time 10 min
  • 4 Servings
  • 15 Ingredients

Spiced beef mince pilaf

Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf is a delicious and aromatic dish that combines fragrant basmati rice with well-seasoned ground beef and a mix of dried fruits and nuts. This Middle Eastern-inspired recipe is rich in flavors and textures, making it a perfect meal for any occasion.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
14g
1 onion
160g
4 cups water
1000g
1 cinnamon stick
3g
1 tsp turmeric powder
5g
1 tsp ground cumin
3g
1 tsp dried coriander
5g
2 cups basmati rice
400g
1/3 cup dried apricots
50g
10 oz ground beef (80/20%)
280g
1 tsp salt
5g
1/3 cup spearmint
30g
1/4 cup fresh parsley
16g
1/2 cup pine nuts
80g
1/3 cup pistachio nuts
50g

Instructions:

1. Prepare Ingredients:
- Finely chop the onion.
- Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- Chop the dried apricots, fresh spearmint, and fresh parsley.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat until golden brown, then set aside.
- Chop the pistachio nuts.
2. Cook the Onions:
- In a large pot or deep skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent and lightly golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Spices and Rice:
- Add 1 cinnamon stick, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp dried coriander to the pot.
- Stir well to coat the onions with the spices.
- Add the rinsed basmati rice to the pot and stir to combine the rice with the spices and onion.
4. Add Liquids and Apricots:
- Pour in 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Add the chopped dried apricots.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water has been absorbed.
5. Cook the Beef:
- While the rice is cooking, in a separate pan, cook 10 oz ground beef over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
- Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into small pieces.
- Once cooked, drain any excess fat from the beef.
6. Combine Ingredients:
- Once the rice is fully cooked and the water is absorbed, remove the pot from heat.
- Add the cooked ground beef to the pot with the rice.
- Add 1 tsp salt and stir well to combine all ingredients.
7. Stir in Nuts and Herbs:
- Gently fold in the toasted pine nuts and chopped pistachio nuts.
- Add the chopped spearmint and parsley, and stir until evenly distributed.
8. Serve:
- Remove the cinnamon stick from the pot before serving.
- Serve the spiced beef mince pilaf hot, garnished with extra fresh herbs and nuts if desired.

Tips:

- Toast the pine nuts and pistachio nuts gently in a dry pan until they are golden for an added depth of flavor.

- For an extra layer of aroma, consider adding a clove or a couple of cardamom pods along with the cinnamon stick.

- Soak the basmati rice in water for 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure it cooks evenly and results in long, fluffy grains.

- Ensure the dried apricots are chopped into small pieces so they distribute evenly throughout the pilaf.

- Use fresh herbs if possible – they provide a burst of freshness that dried herbs can't quite replicate.

- Let the pilaf rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the flavors to meld and for any excess moisture to be absorbed.

This Spiced Beef Mince Pilaf offers a delightful combination of savory and sweet flavors, with a wonderful variety of textures from the nuts and dried fruits. It's an impressive yet straightforward dish that can become a staple in your home-cooked meal repertoire.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size530 grams
Energy
Calories 570kcal29%
Protein
Protein 22g14%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 50g14%
Fiber 5g13%
Sugar 11g11%
Fat
Fat 36g44%
Saturated 8g26%
Cholesterol 50mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 45ug5%
Choline 70mg13%
Vitamin B1 0.40mg33%
Vitamin B2 0.24mg19%
Vitamin B3 6mg38%
Vitamin B6 0.56mg33%
Vitamin B9 90ug24%
Vitamin B12 1.52ug63%
Vitamin C 16mg18%
Vitamin E 2.98mg20%
Vitamin K 90ug78%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 110mg9%
Copper, Cu 0.66mg74%
Iron, Fe 7mg60%
Magnesium, Mg 120mg28%
Phosphorus, P 370mg29%
Potassium, K 840mg25%
Selenium, Se 20ug37%
Sodium, Na 550mg36%
Zinc, Zn 5mg49%
Water
Water 410g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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