Description
This quick and flavorful 20-minute dinner features spiced ground beef cooked to crispy perfection and tucked into warm pita pockets, complemented by a refreshing lemony cucumber and feta salad. A perfect Mediterranean-inspired meal that balances savory, tangy, and fresh flavors with minimal effort.
Ingredients
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
Cucumber 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
To Serve
- 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 along with the salt, cumin, cinnamon, garlic powder, and onion powder. Cook while breaking up the meat with a spoon until browned and just cooked through, about 8–10 minutes. For extra texture, allow some edges to get slightly crispy but avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
- Make the Salad: While the beef is cooking, combine diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, chopped parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl. Toss gently to combine the flavors.
- Assemble the Pitas: Warm the pita pockets or flatbreads. Spread about 1 tablespoon of hummus, tzatziki, or yogurt tahini sauce inside each pita. Fill each pita with the spiced ground beef and top generously with the cucumber-feta salad mixture. Add any extra veggies or additional sauce if desired for more flavor or texture.
Notes
- For best texture, brown the beef until some edges are crispy but avoid overcooking to keep it juicy.
- Nutrition values may vary depending on the pita and sauce choices used.
- The 3-ingredient tahini yogurt sauce pairs exceptionally well with this dish for added creaminess and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
