Dubai Tacos on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Dubai Tacos on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill is a medium Middle Eastern Fusion recipe that serves 4. 460 calories per serving. Recipe by fork _in_the_road_2025 on YouTube.

Prep: 55 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 1 hr 20 min

Cost: $30.02 total, $7.51 per serving

Ingredients

  • 0.5 lb Ground Beef (80% lean)
  • 0.5 lb Ground Lamb (Fresh, preferably shoulder)
  • 1 medium Green Bell Pepper (Finely minced)
  • 1 medium White Onion (Finely minced)
  • 1 piece Serrano Chili (Finely minced; adjust heat to taste)
  • 4 cloves Garlic (Finely minced)
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp Ground Cardamom
  • 0.25 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 1 tsp Salt (Kosher or sea salt)
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)
  • 3 pieces Chicken Bouillon Cubes (Ground into a powder)
  • 1 tbsp Instant Coffee (freeze‑dried)
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder (Will tenderize the meat)
  • 8 pieces Corn Tortillas (12‑inch diameter, warmed)
  • 1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Sharp, good melt)
  • 0.25 cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tbsp Lime Juice (Freshly squeezed)
  • 0.5 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 0.5 tsp Chili Powder
  • 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil (For greasing flat top)

Instructions

  1. Fine‑dice the vegetables

    Trim, seed and finely mince the green bell pepper, white onion, serrano chili and garlic cloves until they are almost paste‑like.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Combine vegetables and spices

    In a large mixing bowl add the minced vegetables, smoked paprika, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, salt, pepper, ground chicken bouillon, instant coffee and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Add the meat blend

    Add the 0.5 lb ground beef and 0.5 lb ground lamb to the bowl. Using your hands, mix until the spices and vegetables are evenly distributed throughout the meat.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Rest the mixture

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30‑40 minutes to let the flavors meld and the baking powder work.

    Time: PT40M

  5. Form meat balls

    Divide the chilled mixture into four equal portions (about 4 oz each) and roll each into a smooth ball.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Preheat the flat top

    Set the Pit Boss pellet smoker to 400°F and let the flat top heat up. Lightly brush the surface with vegetable oil.

    Time: PT10M

    Temperature: 400°F

  7. Smash the balls with tortillas

    Place one meat ball on the hot flat top, immediately lay a corn tortilla on top and press down with a spatula to flatten the ball into the tortilla, forming a taco‑shaped patty.

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 400°F

  8. Cook the first side

    Allow the smashed patty to cook until a deep golden‑brown crust appears (about 3‑4 minutes).

    Time: PT4M

    Temperature: 400°F

  9. Flip and add cheese

    Using a spatula, flip the taco‑patty, sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheddar over the exposed side, and let it melt (about 2 minutes).

    Time: PT2M

    Temperature: 400°F

  10. Fold and crisp the taco

    Fold the tortilla over the cheese‑covered meat, press gently, and continue cooking, flipping once more if needed, until both sides are crisp and the cheese is fully melted (another 2‑3 minutes).

    Time: PT3M

    Temperature: 400°F

  11. Prepare the sauce

    In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, ketchup, honey, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth.

    Time: PT3M

  12. Assemble and serve

    Drizzle the sauce over each taco, serve immediately while hot and crispy.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
460
Protein
25 g
Carbohydrates
32 g
Fat
26 g
Fiber
4 g

Dietary info: Contains meat, Gluten‑free (corn tortillas), High protein

Allergens: Dairy, Eggs (may be present in bouillon), Soy (in some mayonnaise brands)

Last updated: April 15, 2026

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Dubai Tacos on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Recipe by fork _in_the_road_2025

A fusion street‑food taco that combines a spiced beef‑lamb smash‑burger patty with a corn tortilla, melty cheddar and a tangy lime‑cumin mayo sauce. Inspired by the original Dubai‑style tacos from a Texas‑barbecue spot in Dubai, this recipe delivers a crispy crust, fragrant Middle Eastern spices, and a burst of fresh flavor.

MediumMiddle Eastern FusionServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 24m
Prep
7m
Cook
11m
Cleanup
1h 42m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$30.02
Total cost
$7.51
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Fine‑dice all vegetables to avoid large chunks.
  • Refrigerate the spiced meat mixture for at least 30 minutes.
  • Smash the meat ball with a tortilla on a hot flat top to create a crust.
  • Allow the crust to set before flipping.
  • Add cheese and let it fully melt before folding.

Safety Warnings

  • The flat top reaches 400°F; use heat‑resistant gloves when handling.
  • Ensure ground meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for safety.
  • Handle raw meat with separate utensils to avoid cross‑contamination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Dubai Tacos in Middle Eastern cuisine?

A

Dubai Tacos originated from a Texas‑style barbecue restaurant in Dubai that blended American smash‑burger techniques with Middle Eastern spice blends, reflecting the city’s multicultural food scene. They echo Egyptian street‑food flavors through the use of lamb, cardamom, cinnamon and nutmeg.

cultural
Q

What traditional regional variations of Dubai Tacos exist in Middle Eastern street food?

A

While the core concept stays the same—spiced meat smashed into a tortilla—some vendors use only beef, add sumac, or replace the cheddar with halloumi. In Egypt, a similar dish called “kebda ta‘am” often uses pita instead of corn tortillas and includes tahini sauce.

cultural
Q

How is Dubai Tacos traditionally served in Dubai’s barbecue restaurants?

A

In Dubai’s 77 Texas Barbecue, the tacos are served hot off the flat top, folded like a quesadilla, drizzled with a tangy lime‑cumin mayo sauce, and often accompanied by pickled onions or a side of fresh salad.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations are Dubai Tacos associated with in Middle Eastern culture?

A

Dubai Tacos are popular as a casual street‑food snack during festivals like Ramadan evenings and weekend night‑markets, where the quick‑cook method fits busy social gatherings.

cultural
Q

What authentic traditional ingredients are essential for Dubai Tacos versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include ground lamb, smoked paprika, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a lime‑cumin sauce. Substitutes can be all‑beef instead of lamb, regular paprika for smoked, or cheddar in place of a melty Mexican cheese, but the spice profile should stay intact.

cultural
Q

What other Middle Eastern dishes pair well with Dubai Tacos?

A

Serve Dubai Tacos alongside a simple fattoush salad, hummus with warm pita, or a side of spiced roasted cauliflower for a balanced Middle Eastern‑fusion meal.

cultural
Q

What makes Dubai Tacos special or unique in Middle Eastern fusion cuisine?

A

The dish uniquely fuses the American smash‑burger technique—creating a crisp, caramelized crust—with Middle Eastern aromatics like cardamom and cinnamon, delivering a bold, layered flavor not found in traditional tacos or kebabs.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Dubai Tacos at home?

A

Common errors include over‑mixing the meat (making it tough), not chilling the mixture (causing the balls to fall apart), flipping the taco too early (preventing crust formation), and using a low‑heat grill that won’t crisp the tortilla.

technical
Q

Why does this Dubai Tacos recipe use instant coffee instead of regular coffee?

A

Instant coffee adds a subtle depth of bitterness and enhances the umami of the meat without adding liquid, helping the spice blend adhere and contributing to the distinctive flavor profile of the original Dubai version.

technical
Q

Can I make Dubai Tacos ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes. The spiced meat mixture can be prepared and formed into balls up to 24 hours ahead; keep refrigerated, covered. Cooked tacos are best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in a hot skillet for 2‑3 minutes per side.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel fork _in_the_road_2025 specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel fork _in_the_road_2025 focuses on adventurous home‑cooking experiments, often blending global street‑food concepts with practical backyard grilling techniques and detailed step‑by‑step tutorials.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel fork _in_the_road_2025's approach to Middle Eastern fusion cooking differ from other cooking channels?

A

fork _in_the_road_2025 emphasizes hands‑on experimentation, using a pellet smoker and flat‑top grill to recreate street‑food textures, while many other channels stick to stovetop or oven methods. The host also provides cultural back‑stories for each dish.

channel

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