Mediterranean Ground Beef Pita Pockets Recipe
A flavorful and easy-to-make Mediterranean Ground Beef Pita Pockets recipe featuring spiced ground beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 pita pockets (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Spices
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Other
- 4 pita pockets
- 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they are softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked through, approximately 7-10 minutes.
- Season Meat: Stir in ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for another 2 minutes to allow the spices to blend well with the beef mixture. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Warm Pita Pockets: Gently warm the pita pockets in a toaster or oven until soft and pliable, about 2-3 minutes.
- Prepare Pita Pockets: Carefully cut each pita pocket in half to form individual pockets for filling.
- Assemble Pita Pockets: Fill each pita half with the cooked spiced ground beef mixture.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Top the beef filling with diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley for a fresh, crunchy contrast.
- Drizzle with Sauce: Finish each pita pocket by drizzling with creamy tzatziki sauce before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a healthier option and to reduce fat.
- You can substitute ground lamb for a more traditional Mediterranean flavor.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade for freshness.
- Warm pita pockets properly so they don’t crack when filled.
- To make this meal vegetarian, replace ground beef with cooked chickpeas or lentils and adjust spices accordingly.
Keywords: Mediterranean, Ground Beef, Pita Pockets, Easy Dinner, Quick Meal, Spiced Beef, Tzatziki
