Description
Spiced Lamb Pitas with Feta Mint Sauce is a flavorful and quick Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring savory ground lamb seasoned with aromatic spices, paired with a creamy and refreshing feta mint sauce. Perfect for a wholesome lunch or dinner, these pitas are loaded with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a tangy yogurt-based sauce that balances the richness of the lamb.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Spiced Ground Lamb
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
For the Feta Mint Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 ounces feta cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh mint
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For Assembly
- 4 pitas
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 tomato, diced
Instructions
- Make the Feta Mint Sauce: Add the plain Greek yogurt, feta cheese, fresh mint, and lemon juice into a small food processor or blender. Pulse the ingredients until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare the Spiced Ground Lamb: Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the finely diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they start to soften but do not brown.
- Cook the Lamb: Add the ground lamb to the pan with the onions and garlic. Brown the lamb thoroughly until it is cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Season the Lamb: Stir in the smoked paprika, allspice, red pepper flakes, ground ginger, kosher salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the spices to become fragrant. Remove the pan from heat and fold in the chopped fresh mint and parsley.
- Assemble the Pitas: Take each pita and fill it with a generous portion of the spiced lamb mixture. Top with diced cucumber and tomato. Drizzle with the prepared feta mint sauce and garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or turkey if lamb is not preferred, but lamb provides a more authentic flavor.
- Adjust the level of red pepper flakes to control the spice intensity according to your taste.
- For a thicker sauce, strain excess liquid from the yogurt before blending.
- Pitas can be lightly warmed before assembling to enhance the texture and flavor.
- Fresh herbs in the sauce and garnish add brightness and freshness to the dish.
