Description
A flavorful Greek-inspired recipe featuring seasoned ground beef stuffed into warm pita breads, topped with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and a tangy lemon garlic Greek yogurt sauce. This quick and easy meal is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner packed with Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Lemon Garlic Yogurt Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
Assembling
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the finely chopped onion. Cook until softened and translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Beef Mixture: Add the ground beef to the skillet along with ground cumin, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Break up the meat and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Prepare Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated or minced garlic, olive oil, and salt until you achieve a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Warm Pitas: Slightly warm the pita breads in a dry pan or microwave to make them more pliable for stuffing.
- Assemble Pitas: Open each pita pocket and fill generously with the cooked beef mixture, chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and fresh parsley.
- Add Sauce and Serve: Drizzle each stuffed pita liberally with the lemon garlic yogurt sauce and serve immediately for a fresh and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the beef mixture.
- You can substitute ground lamb for the beef for a more authentic Greek flavor.
- To keep the pitas warm while assembling, wrap them in foil after warming.
- The lemon garlic yogurt sauce can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Add crumbled feta cheese inside the pita for extra richness and tang.
