Grilled Lamb or Beef Kebab Pitas with Homemade Tzatziki
Savor the taste of the Mediterranean with these deliciously spiced lamb or beef kebab pitas accompanied by a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Crafted with finely balanced spices and a hint of fresh herbs, these kebabs can be enjoyed straight from the BBQ or oven. Paired with grilled pita bread and fresh vegetables, they make for a delightful meal that feels like a culinary getaway to a Greek island. Perfect for any occasion, these kebabs promise a burst of flavor with every bite.
5
Servings
430
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground lamb or beef chuck
1 lb (preferably leg, with all the fat)
red onion
1 small (finely minced)
garlic cloves
2 (finely minced)
red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
dry breadcrumbs
1/3 cup (none)
Greek yogurt or sour cream
2 tablespoons (none)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (well-rubbed between fingers)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (none)
ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (none)
ground cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salt and pepper
to taste (none)
Greek yogurt
1 cup ((for tzatziki))
garlic clove
1 (crushed to a paste)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (none)
red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
fresh mint leaves
5 (minced)
fresh dill
1/4 cup (minced)
cucumber
1/4 cup (grated, squeezed dry, unpeeled, washed)
salt
to taste ((for tzatziki))
fresh tomato
to taste (thinly sliced)
red onion
to taste (thinly sliced)
minced parsley
to taste (none)
grilled pita bread
4-5 pieces (none)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, minced red onion, minced garlic cloves, red wine vinegar, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, Greek yogurt, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
2
Shape the meat mixture into 4-5 inch sausages, ensuring they are tightly packed to hold their shape during cooking. Place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
3
Meanwhile, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a separate bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, crushed garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced mint, minced dill, and grated cucumber. Mix until smooth and season with a pinch of salt to taste. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
4
Preheat your BBQ or oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5
Grill the kebabs on all sides over medium-high heat, ensuring they achieve a browned and crusty exterior while remaining cooked through, approximately 12-14 minutes. If using an oven, bake the kebabs on the prepared baking sheet until fully cooked.
6
While the kebabs are cooking, grill the pita breads until warm and slightly charred.
7
To assemble, place one or two kebabs inside each grilled pita. Add slices of fresh tomato and red onion, and a generous amount of tzatziki sauce. Top with a sprinkle of minced parsley for added freshness.
8
Wrap the bottom half of the pita in aluminum foil to make the serving more convenient and less messy.
9
Serve immediately and relish in the delightful combination of flavors.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
34g
Carbs
27g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is for Grilled Lamb or Beef Kebab Pitas with Homemade Tzatziki.
What meats can be used for these kebabs?
You can use either ground lamb (preferably leg) or beef chuck.
How do you make the homemade tzatziki sauce?
Combine 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1 crushed garlic clove, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 5 minced mint leaves, 1/4 cup minced dill, and 1/4 cup grated cucumber (squeezed dry).
How long should the meat mixture refrigerate before cooking?
The meat mixture should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and to help it hold its shape.
What is the recommended cooking temperature?
Preheat your BBQ or oven to 400°F (200°C).
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 5 servings.
What spices are included in the kebab meat?
The meat is seasoned with dried oregano, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground cayenne pepper.
How long do the kebabs take to cook?
They should be grilled for approximately 12-14 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Can I bake these kebabs instead of grilling them?
Yes, you can bake the kebabs on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How should the meat mixture be shaped?
Shape the meat mixture into 4-5 inch sausages, ensuring they are tightly packed.
What ingredients are used as binders for the meat?
One lightly beaten egg and 1/3 cup of dry breadcrumbs are used to bind the meat mixture.
How do you prepare the cucumber for the tzatziki?
The cucumber should be grated, squeezed dry, washed, and left unpeeled.
What fresh herbs are needed for the sauce?
The tzatziki sauce requires fresh mint leaves and fresh dill.
What are the calories per serving?
There are 430 calories per serving.
What are the nutritional macros for this dish?
The nutritional content per serving is 20g fat, 34g carbohydrates, and 27g protein.
What type of bread is used for serving?
The recipe uses 4-5 pieces of grilled pita bread.
What fresh vegetables are recommended for assembly?
Thinly sliced fresh tomato and red onion are recommended for assembly.
How should the pita be served to avoid a mess?
Wrap the bottom half of the pita in aluminum foil to make it more convenient and less messy to eat.
What type of vinegar is used in the recipe?
Red wine vinegar is used in both the meat mixture and the tzatziki sauce.
Can I use sour cream instead of Greek yogurt?
Yes, for the meat mixture, you can use either Greek yogurt or sour cream.
How should the garlic be prepared for the meat?
The garlic cloves for the meat mixture should be finely minced.
How should the garlic be prepared for the tzatziki?
The garlic clove for the tzatziki should be crushed to a paste.
What is the garnish for these pitas?
A sprinkle of minced parsley is used as a final garnish for freshness.
Does the recipe require seasoning with salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper are added to both the meat mixture and the tzatziki sauce to taste.
How many kebabs go into each pita?
You should place one or two kebabs inside each grilled pita.
How long should the tzatziki refrigerate?
The sauce should be refrigerated for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
What is the description of the final dish?
It is a Mediterranean-style meal featuring spiced meat, refreshing sauce, and fresh vegetables in a warm pita.
Is the onion in the meat mixture the same as the onion used for assembly?
Both are red onions, but the onion in the meat is finely minced, while the onion for assembly is thinly sliced.
What should the texture of the grilled meat be?
The kebabs should achieve a browned and crusty exterior while remaining cooked through.
How should the pitas be prepped?
Pita breads should be grilled until warm and slightly charred.