Recently I ran across a recipe for Grilled Greek meatballs and the ingredients were different from the Greek dishes I have made before. Because I love grilling, I decided to make the mixture into burgers and serve them in pita bread with Greek sauces. The flavors in these yummy burgers are unique, but the Official Hancock tasters loved them.

I always make my own Basic Pita Bread using the dough setting in my automatic bread machine, and make Greek Tzatziki sauce, as well as Tahini Garlic Sauce to go on these burgers inside the pita loaves. I have learned that by using ground beef that is 30% fat rather than 20% makes for juicier burgers; most of the fat runs down on the coals of the grill. I add feta cheese crumbles, too.

6 Servings


1 3/4 pounds ground beef, preferably 30% fat
1 small onion, chopped
3/8 cup raisins, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

olive oil
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

fresh pita bread
Greek Tzatiki Sauce
Garlic Tahini Sauce

1. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high heat.
2. Mix the ground beef, onion, chopped raisins, parsley, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, coriander, nutmeg, sugar, salt, and black pepper until well-mixed.
3. Form the mixture into 6 patties 1/2" thick. Brush the patties on each side with olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill the patties, turning once. If the patties are cooking too fast, turn off one side of the grill and cook indirectly.
4. When the patties are done, place each patty into a pita loaf and add Tzatiki and Tahini Sauces. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
   Amount Per Serving
   Calories 407 Calories from Fat 210
   Percent Total Calories From: Fat 51% Protein 35% Carb. 14%
   
   Nutrient Amount per Serving
   Total Fat 23 g
   Saturated Fat 9 g
   Cholesterol 124 mg
   Sodium 483 mg
   Total Carbohydrate 14 g
   Dietary Fiber 0 g
   Sugars 0 g
   Protein 35 g
   
   Vitamin A 3% Vitamin C 3% Calcium 0% Iron 21%
   
   
   

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   Greek Tzatziki Sauce
   
   About 2 cups
   
   2 cups nonfat Greek Yogurt
   1 cucumber, peeled, grated, and drained
   2 cloves garlic, finely minced
   1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
   1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed, (if using for fish), (optional)
   1 teaspoon salt
   1/4 teaspoon white pepper
   1 pinch cayenne
   1 tablespoon dried parsley
   1 green onion, finely chopped, (optional)
   
   
   Mix all ingredients together and let sit at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. Serve with falafel, gyro, grilled or poached fish or shawarma.
   
   Amount Per Serving
   Calories 21 Calories from Fat 0
   Percent Total Calories From: Fat 2% Protein 61% Carb. 38%
   
   Nutrient Amount per Serving
   Total Fat 0 g
   Saturated Fat 0 g
   Cholesterol 1 mg
   Sodium 158 mg
   Total Carbohydrate 2 g
   Dietary Fiber 0 g
   Sugars 1 g
   Protein 3 g
   
   Vitamin A 2% Vitamin C 3% Calcium 0% Iron 1%
   
   

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   GarlicTahini Sauce
   
   About 1 1/2 cups sauce
   
   3/4 cup tahini
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   3 cloves garlic, minced
   1/4-1/2 cup lemon juice, (to taste)
   2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
   1/2 cup water, approximately
   
   
   Mix all ingredients and stir, adding enough water to make it a creamy texture.
   
   Amount Per Serving
   Calories 203 Calories from Fat 155
   Percent Total Calories From: Fat 77% Protein 14% Carb. 10%
   
   Nutrient Amount per Serving
   Total Fat 17 g
   Saturated Fat 3 g
   Cholesterol 0 mg
   Sodium 147 mg
   Total Carbohydrate 5 g
   Dietary Fiber 2 g
   Sugars 0 g
   Protein 7 g
   
   Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 7% Calcium 0% Iron 7%