Description
This Greek Beef Stuffed Pita with Lemon Garlic Yogurt is a quick and flavorful meal combining savory spiced ground beef with fresh vegetables and a tangy, creamy yogurt sauce. Perfect for a busy weeknight, these pita sandwiches deliver a delicious Mediterranean-inspired taste in just 25 minutes.
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
Assembly
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the finely chopped onion. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Cook Beef with Spices: Stir in the ground beef along with ground cumin, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture, breaking up the beef as it browns, until fully cooked through and no longer pink.
- Prepare Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated or minced garlic, olive oil, and salt until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Warm Pita Breads: Slightly warm the pita breads by placing them in a dry skillet over low heat for a minute or warming them briefly in the oven or microwave to make them pliable.
- Assemble Pitas: Fill each warmed pita with a generous portion of the cooked spiced beef, then top with chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and fresh parsley for crunch and freshness.
- Add Yogurt Sauce and Serve: Drizzle the lemon garlic yogurt sauce generously over the stuffed pitas and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use lean ground beef or substitute with ground turkey.
- The yogurt sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Feel free to add other vegetables such as shredded lettuce or red onion for extra crunch.
- Warm the pita gently to avoid tearing and make stuffing easier.
- This recipe is perfect for quick weeknight meals and can be doubled for larger groups.
