Lamb or Beef Kebab Pitas With Tzatziki
Description:
Because of the use of ground meat, this is what we call a kebab here. Delicious! They can be oven-roasted, but I highly recommend you do these on the BBQ. It’s a delightful medley of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground lamb or beef
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
- Salt, to taste
- 1 fresh tomato, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Grilled pita breads, for serving
Tzatziki:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess moisture
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 479
- Fat: 38.5g
- Saturated Fat: 13.5g
- Cholesterol: 129.4mg
- Sodium: 153.6mg
- Carbohydrates: 9.8g
- Fiber: 1.1g
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Protein: 22.1g
Cooking Instructions:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, chopped red onion, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, egg, sour cream, dried oregano, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground cayenne pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Form the mixture into sausages of about 4-5 inches in length. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. |
| 2 | While the kebab mixture is chilling, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, minced garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, grated cucumber, salt, and pepper. Taste the tzatziki and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. |
| 3 | Preheat your oven to 400°F (or preheat your grill if you prefer to barbecue). |
| 4 | Remove the kebab mixture from the refrigerator. Thread the sausages onto skewers if desired, or simply shape them into sausage-like shapes. Place the kebabs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes, or until they are browned and cooked through. Alternatively, you can grill the kebabs on a barbecue until they are brown and crusty on all sides. |
| 5 | While the kebabs are cooking, grill the pita breads until they are warm and slightly toasted. |
| 6 | To assemble the kebab pitas, place one or two cooked kebabs inside each pita bread. Add slices of tomato, onion, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for an extra burst of flavor. |
| 7 | Roll up the pitas tightly, taking care not to squash the filling, and wrap a piece of aluminum foil around the bottom to catch any drips. |
| 8 | Serve immediately and enjoy one of the best sandwiches you’ve ever had! |
This recipe is perfect for a quick and delicious lunch or snack, and it’s sure to be a hit with the whole family. The combination of savory kebabs, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables wrapped in warm pita bread is simply irresistible! So fire up the grill or preheat your oven, and get ready to indulge in a taste of Greece right in your own kitchen. 🍽️🥙
