Mediterranean Pita Burgers

Recipe from Cristen Clark, Food & Swine

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber (English seedless or hothouse variety with thin skin)
• 1½ cups sour cream
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 pounds ground beef, pork or turkey (or a combination)
• 2 tablespoons Cavender’s Greek seasoning, divided
• 2 teaspoons oregano flakes
• ¼ cup Greek vinaigrette dressing
• 1 large or two small tomatoes, sliced
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• ½ small head iceberg lettuce, cut into large shreds
• 1 small container feta cheese crumbles
• 8 pita rounds, warmed

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cucumber (English seedless or hothouse variety with thin skin)

• 1½ cups sour cream

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried dill)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Grate cucumber and squeeze excess liquid out with paper towels. Place grated cucumber in a mixing bowl. Add sour cream and dill. Smash minced garlic and salt together with the back of a knife to turn into a paste and add to mixture along with black pepper. Stir well, cover and refrigerate until serving. 

Burger

• 3 pounds ground beef, pork or turkey (or a combination)

• 2 tablespoons Cavender’s Greek seasoning, divided

• 2 teaspoons oregano flakes

• ¼ cup Greek vinaigrette dressing

• 1 large or two small tomatoes, sliced

• 1 small red onion, sliced

• ½ small head iceberg lettuce, cut into large shreds

• 1 small container feta cheese crumbles

• 8 pita rounds, warmed

Shape ground meat into half-moon shapes the size of pita flatbread folded in half. Combine Greek seasoning and oregano flakes. Sprinkle evenly over all burgers.

Grill burgers to desired doneness, or at least 160 degrees F, as measured by a digital instant-read thermometer. Brush with Greek vinaigrette in the final stages of grilling.

Place pita round on a plate; add a layer of tzatziki sauce, burger patty, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and feta. Fold pita over, wrap with foil or food paper if desired. Serve immediately.