Easy Ground Beef Gyros

Mama's Kitchen (Hope)'s Note:

From the Texas Beef Council posted for the Greek portion of the Zaar World Tour. Feel free to up the seasonings on the beef if you like it really flavorful. As Saraghina states, leftover roast would be great here too!

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 16.0 appetiz ...

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 8 small pita pocket bread, cut in half, warmed (4-inch diameter)

SEASONING

• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

SAUCE

• 2/3 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/3 cup cucumber, chopped
• 3 tablespoons onions, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

1. In small bowl, combine Yogurt Sauce ingredients, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate.
2. Heat oven to 350ºF.
3. In medium bowl, combine ground beef and seasoning ingredients, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
4. Divide beef mixture into 16 equal portions and shape into patties 2 inches in diameter.
5. Place patties on rack in broiler pan.
6. Bake in oven 10 minutes or until no longer pink OR GRILL over medium heat.
7. To serve, place equal amounts of beef and tomato in each pita half; top with yogurt sauce.

Reviews

[hot1216]

Maaaaan. I was surprised how good this tasted and how easy it was to make. I'm a dude and live for easy great tasting recipes. Nice look on this one Ma. I may have to check your whole catalog.

[GoBugsy]

I am rating this a 5-star with my additions: to the meat: cumin, oregano, onion & garlic powder, dried basil, thyme, cumin, and black pepper. To the sauce: 1 tsp sugar (yes, I know-sounds strange, but necessary), lemon juice, garlic, and fresh parsley. I ended up frying the meat instead of baking it and it turned out FANTASTIC!!! Great recipe, but after reading the reviews, I figured I would "spice things up a bit," and it really paid off. Thank you for this recipe--it is going into my "keep in rotation" folder.

[Raspberry Cordial]

I really liked how easy this was to put together and that the tzatziki sauce was just the right amount. I added some shredded lettuce and donair sauce to the gyros as well.