Description
A quick and flavorful 20-minute dinner featuring spiced ground beef stuffed into warm pita pockets, topped with a refreshing cucumber and feta salad, and a creamy sauce like hummus or tzatziki for the perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Ingredients
For the Spiced Ground Beef
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
For the Cucumber & Feta Salad
- 1 cup English or Persian cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For Assembly
- ¼ cup hummus, tzatziki, or yogurt tahini sauce
- 4 pita pockets or flatbreads, warmed
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, kosher salt, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until browned and just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Make the Salad: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently to combine all flavors.
- Assemble the Pitas: Spread 1 tablespoon of hummus, tzatziki, or yogurt tahini sauce inside each warmed pita pocket. Fill each pita with the cooked spiced ground beef, then top with a generous amount of the cucumber and feta salad. Add extra veggies or sauce if desired for additional flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and calories.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on stove and pan used.
- For a dairy-free version, omit the feta and use a dairy-free sauce alternative.
- Warm the pita pockets in a dry skillet or oven for best texture.
- Additional fresh herbs like mint or dill can be added to the salad for more flavor.
