Hi friends! Let me tell you about one of my favorite fast and tasty dinners beef mince wraps, also known as Cheats’ Kıymalı Tantuni! This version is a quick twist on a traditional Turkish recipe from Mersin, a city near the Mediterranean Sea. Normally, it’s made with tiny pieces of beef or lamb, but I use mince to save time without losing the flavor. We often enjoy these wraps on family trips to Kıbrıs (Cyprus), and now I make them at home all the time! They’re juicy, spicy, and perfect in a soft, thin wrap. Add a salad and some crispy chips on the side, and dinner is done!
Method
Searing the Mince
Start by heating 3 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef mince to the pan. At this point, don’t stir it right away this is important! Let the mince sit untouched for 1 to 2 minutes so that the bottom layer gets golden and crispy. This first sizzle adds a rich, deep flavor to the meat that’s totally worth the wait.
Breaking and Browning the Meat
After that bottom layer has crisped up nicely, begin to stir and break apart the mince using a wooden spoon or spatula. Stir it well so the meat is in small, even pieces. You want the mince to keep browning all over, so continue cooking it for another few minutes. It should start to develop a nice, even brown color and smell amazing.
Adding Garlic and Spices
Once the meat is mostly browned, stir in your finely grated garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and sweet red pepper paste (or tomato puree). Mix everything together so that the garlic and spices coat the beef evenly. You’ll notice the mixture becoming more fragrant and colorful. Keep cooking the meat for another 5 to 6 minutes, allowing the spices to cook through and the mince to crisp up just a little more.
Simmering with Water
Now pour in 100ml of water into the pan. This helps the flavors blend and softens the mixture slightly so it’s not too dry. Keep the heat on high and stir often while the water cooks off. This should only take a few minutes. When the pan looks dry again and the mince is rich and juicy, you’re ready to serve.
Building the Wraps
Spoon the hot, spicy mince straight onto your wraps. Then pile on your toppings: thinly sliced onions, diced fresh tomatoes, chopped parsley, and a sprinkle of sumac, paprika, and pul biber (chili flakes). Don’t forget to add a few chili peppers and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra zing. Wrap them up tightly and enjoy every bite!
Necessary Tools
- Large frying pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and chopping board
- Grater (for garlic)
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs (optional, for wrapping and flipping)
Beef Mince Wraps (Cheats’ Kıymalı Tantuni)
Cuisine: Mexican, MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes15
minutes25
minutesIngredients
3 tbsp light olive oil (or rice bran/sunflower oil)
750g beef mince
4 garlic cloves (finely grated)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 heaped tbsp sweet red pepper paste (tatlı biber salçası) or tomato puree
1 tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp coarse black pepper
100ml water
To serve: pul biber, sumac, paprika, fresh parsley, sliced onions, diced tomatoes, lemon juice, and chili peppers
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat.
- Add the beef mince, but don’t stir right away let it sit for a minute or two so the bottom gets nice and crispy.
- Once the underside has browned, stir it well and break it into small pieces.
- Add the grated garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper paste (or tomato puree). Stir everything together.
- Let the mince cook for about 5–6 more minutes until it’s browned and a little crispy all over.
- Pour in 100ml of water and cook on high until all the liquid disappears.
- Fill your wraps with the hot beef, add onions, tomatoes, parsley, and sprinkle with sumac, paprika, pul biber, chili, and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- Don’t stir the mince too quickly at the beginning letting it crisp makes a big flavor difference.
- Make sure the garlic doesn’t burn, or it will taste bitter. Add it only after the meat starts to brown.
- Don’t skip the water it helps blend the spices and soften the meat. Just cook it off completely so the filling isn’t wet.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a side of crispy fries or potato wedges.
- A crunchy salad with cucumber and yogurt dressing goes great with it.
- If you’re packing lunchboxes, wrap them in foil for an easy on-the-go meal.
Fun Fact
Tantuni comes from Mersin, a sunny port city in southern Turkey! It’s a street food favorite and has traveled across the sea to Cyprus, where it’s also a popular snack.
Conclusion
These beef mince wraps are a great way to bring bold flavors to your dinner table without needing hours in the kitchen. They’re spicy, zesty, and totally satisfying. You can even switch up the meat or go meat-free. And if you don’t want to make your own lavaş, just use store-bought wraps. I’ll share my homemade wrap recipe soon, so stay tuned! Let me know if you give it a try I’d love to hear what you think.
