Bring the rich, bold flavours of the Middle East to your table with this quick and easy Middle Eastern Ground Beef Pita recipe! Beef mince, seasoned with fragrant spices, onions, and garlic, is the star of this dish. Stuffed into warm pita bread and paired with crisp, fresh vegetables like cucumber, radish, and red onion, it’s finished with a creamy, garlicky yogurt sauce for a burst of irresistible flavour in every bite.
This recipe is a simplified twist on traditional kofta, a classic Middle Eastern dish of spiced ground meat shaped into kebabs, patties, or meatballs. While kofta is typically grilled and requires more preparation, this version delivers all the same mouthwatering flavours in a fraction of the time, making it perfect for a weeknight meal.
Customize your Middle Eastern Ground Beef Pita with your favourite vegetables—spinach, arugula, or tomatoes make excellent additions—and enjoy a vibrant, satisfying dish that’s sure to become a household favourite!
Ingredients:
For the Beef
500gm lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Sauce
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, or 3/4 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 pitas warmed, halved to make 4 pockets
Crisp sliced vegetables of your choice. Typically these would include Cucumber, Radish, Red Onion.
Instructions:
Heat the oil in a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the onion and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until they becomes soft.
Add the beef and cook until it browns and is cooked through, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Mix in the allspice, cayenne pepper, paprika, cardamom, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, stirring to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spices release their aroma.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Fold in the parsley and remove the pan from the heat.
To prepare the sauce, whisk together the yogurt, dill, and garlic powder. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Spoon the beef mixture into the pita pockets. Add any crispy veggies you may wish (red onion, cucumber, radish). Drizzle with the yogurt sauce and serve with extra yogurt sauce on the side.
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