Middle Eastern Ground Beef Pita Sandwich
User Reviews
4.8
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
3094 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Middle Eastern Ground Beef Pita Sandwich
Description
The recipe begins by sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil until golden, then cooking ground beef until browned and draining fat. The beef is seasoned with a mixture of warming spices including allspice, cayenne, green cardamom, nutmeg, and paprika, then tossed with chopped parsley. This creates a spiced, aromatic meat filling typical of Middle Eastern cuisine.
To assemble, pita bread halves are stuffed with the flavorful meat mixture and layered with sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and optionally radishes. A drizzle of tahini sauce finishes it, adding creamy, nutty notes that complement the spiced beef and fresh vegetables. The pita pockets provide a convenient means to hold this combination.
Recommended ground beef is 80-90% lean to keep the meat juicy but not oily; ground turkey may be used with additional cooking fat to prevent dryness. Leftover meat stores well in the fridge for several days and reheats nicely in a skillet. Suggested sides include tomato salad, Greek potatoes, or sweet potato fries to round out the meal.
Variations like different sauces or additional pickled vegetables allow customization. The sandwich is flexible for casual lunches or servings as part of a larger mezze platter.
Ingredients
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped, medium
- 2 garlic chopped, cloves
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef or ground turkey
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon green cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup parsley flat-leaf, chopped
To serve
- 3 pita bread cut into halves (should make 6 pita pockets
- 2 tomato halved and thinly sliced, medium
- 1 onion sliced, small; red variety
- ½ cucumber halved and thinly sliced (half moons, English variety
- 1 radish sliced (optional
- 1 tahini tzatziki or hummus will also work here, sauce recipe
Instructions
- In a large non-stick pan, heat about 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring regularly, until golden brown (about 3 to 5 minutes).
- Add the ground meat and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is fully browned. Carefully drain extra fat (this is especially helpful if you did not use lean meat). Season with Kosher salt and black pepper. Add the rest of the spices and the parsley and toss to combine.
- To assemble the pita sandwiches, stuff each pita pocket (or pita half) with the meat mixture. Tuck slices of tomatoes, onions and cucumbers around the beef. Finish with a drizzle of tahini sauce and serve!
Notes
- Use 80% or 90% lean ground beef to ensure juicy meat without excessive dryness or oiliness.
- Ground turkey can substitute but requires extra cooking fat to avoid drying out.
- Serve the pita sandwiches with simple toppings like tomato and cucumber, and drizzle tahini or alternative sauces like tzatziki or herby chermoula.
- Leftover cooked ground beef keeps up to 4 days in the fridge; reheat in a skillet with olive oil to retain moisture.
- Pita bread remains fresh for 2-3 days at room temperature in an airtight bag.
- Side dishes such as tomato salad, Greek potatoes, or sweet potato fries complement the sandwich well.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 3094 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 309.4kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 22.9g | 8% |
| Protein | 26.5g | 53% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 4.8g | 24% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.6g | 4% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 73.7mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 426.3mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 631.6mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2.3g | 9% |
| Sugar | 3.2g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 944.1IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 16.4mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 67.9mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3.6mg | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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