I was on my own and hungry—the kind of hungry where bread and cheese just won’t cut it. I had some beef mince in the fridge, half an onion knocking about, and a bendy carrot I hadn’t quite got round to using. So I thought, why not turn this into something decent? A sort of Middle Eastern twist—shawarma patties with a handful of spices, no faff, and totally doable as a bit of van cooking.

Shawarma Patties — What Makes Them Work

The spice combination is the whole point. Cumin and coriander give the base warmth, smoked paprika adds depth and colour, and the small amounts of cinnamon and allspice are what make these taste distinctly Middle Eastern rather than just spiced beef. The cayenne is optional but recommended — just enough heat to notice. The grated carrot and onion keep the patties moist and add a natural sweetness that balances the spices.

I grated the carrot and onion straight into a bowl—skipping the chopping board because who needs more washing up in a camper? Crushed a clove of garlic and threw that in too. Then came a good pinch of cumin, a dash of ground coriander, smoked paprika (a must), and just the tiniest bit of cinnamon and allspice. I chucked in a touch of cayenne too—just enough to warm the back of your throat.

With a shake of salt, a twist of black pepper, and a bit of leftover parsley, it all got mashed together by hand—good old-fashioned mixing. I shaped the lot into three shawarma patties, just the right size. Into the hot pan they went with a splash of olive oil, sizzling away while the dogs hovered hopefully nearby.

A few minutes each side and they were browned, juicy, and absolutely packed with flavour. One went into a warm flatbread with garlicky yoghurt and cucumber; the other I ate straight off the plate. This kind of beef mince recipe is pure comfort—with spices that make it feel far fancier than it is.

No oven, no mess—just van cooking at its best. If you've got beef mince and a few simple spices, trust me: these shawarma patties are a proper little win.

This recipe is also part of my growing Campervan Cooking Recipes collection — real van life meals cooked on a two-ring hob, no proper kitchen required.

This shawarma patties recipe is part of my Beef & Veal collection. Wonky photos, proper food, genuine adventures – The Flexible Chef.