Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce are a delicious combination of bold, spiced lamb and a cooling, tangy yogurt sauce. The contrast of the warm, spiced meat with the creamy yogurt sauce in a soft pita makes for a satisfying bite every time. It’s a customizable dish—you can adjust the level of seasoning and toppings to suit your taste. The yogurt sauce adds a refreshing touch that complements the lamb beautifully, making this recipe perfect for a flavorful, yet balanced meal. Plus, it’s quick and easy to prepare, so you’ll have dinner on the table in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground lamb

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 4 pita breads (or flatbreads)

• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Yogurt Sauce:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 small clove garlic, minced)

• 1/4 tsp ground cumin

• Salt and pepper, to taste

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Make the Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.

2. Prepare the Lamb: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

3. Add the ground lamb to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.

4. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to toast and become fragrant.

5. Assemble the Pitas: Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable.

6. Spoon the spiced lamb mixture onto the pita breads. Top with a generous amount of yogurt sauce and garnish with fresh parsley.

7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Servings and Timing

This recipe serves 4 people. The preparation time is about 10 minutes, with an additional 15-20 minutes for cooking the lamb and assembling the pitas.

Variations

• Add Vegetables: You can add sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers to the pitas for added freshness and texture.

• Spicy Lamb Pitas: Add some chopped fresh chili peppers, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the lamb mixture or yogurt sauce to turn up the heat.

• Herb Variations: Fresh dill or mint can be added to the yogurt sauce for a different twist.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover lamb and yogurt sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Reheat the lamb mixture in a skillet over medium heat, adding a bit of water or broth to keep it moist. Reheat the pita bread in a dry skillet or microwave before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of meat instead of lamb?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef, turkey, or chicken for the lamb, but the flavor will change slightly. Lamb has a unique richness that is difficult to replicate with other meats.

2. Can I make the yogurt sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the yogurt sauce up to 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. It actually develops more flavor as it sits.

3. Can I make this recipe spicy?

Definitely! To add spice, you can mix in chopped fresh chili, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce to the lamb or the yogurt sauce.

4. Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

Yes, you can use regular yogurt, but Greek yogurt is thicker and creamier, which creates a better sauce for this dish. If you use regular yogurt, you may need to drain it to remove excess liquid.

5. Can I make the lamb mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook the lamb mixture ahead of time and refrigerate it. Reheat it in a skillet before serving.

6. Can I serve this without pita bread?

Yes! You can serve the lamb and yogurt sauce over a bed of greens for a lighter, gluten-free alternative, or serve it with rice or couscous.

7. Can I freeze the lamb mixture?

Yes, the lamb mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Reheat it thoroughly before serving.

8. Can I add cheese to the lamb pitas?

Yes, feta cheese or crumbled goat cheese would complement the lamb and yogurt sauce beautifully.

9. Can I use store-bought pita bread?

Absolutely! Store-bought pita bread works perfectly for this recipe, though fresh, homemade pita is always a delicious option.

10. How do I prevent the pita from getting soggy?

To prevent soggy pita, make sure to serve the lamb mixture immediately after cooking and don’t overstuff the pitas. You can also lightly toast the pita bread before assembling for extra sturdiness.

Conclusion

Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce are a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for anyone craving Mediterranean-inspired flavors. The spiced lamb combined with the cool, creamy yogurt sauce is a winning combination, and the soft pita bread makes it all come together into a perfect handheld meal. Quick to make and incredibly tasty, this dish is great for busy nights or when you want something that feels a bit special without a lot of effort. The yogurt sauce adds a refreshing contrast to the savory lamb, and the fresh herbs provide a burst of flavor. Enjoy this delicious dish with your loved ones for a meal that’s sure to impress!

Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

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Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce are a flavorful and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal featuring tender spiced lamb, crispy pita, and a refreshing yogurt sauce.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Skillet
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

1. 1 lb ground lamb
   
   1 small onion, finely chopped
   
   2 cloves garlic, minced
   
   1 tsp ground cumin
   
   1 tsp ground coriander
   
   1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
   
   Salt and pepper, to taste
   
   1 tbsp olive oil
   
   4 pita breads (or flatbreads)
   
   1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
   
   For the Yogurt Sauce:
   1 cup plain Greek yogurt
   
   1 tbsp lemon juice
   
   1 tbsp olive oil
   
   1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1 small clove garlic, minced)
   
   1/4 tsp ground cumin
   
   Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Make the Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve.

1. Prepare the Lamb: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.
2. Add the ground lamb to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
3. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the spices to toast and become fragrant.
4. Assemble the Pitas: Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or microwave for a few seconds until soft and pliable.
5. Spoon the spiced lamb mixture onto the pita breads. Top with a generous amount of yogurt sauce and garnish with fresh parsley.
6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

1. For added freshness and texture, sauté vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, or cucumbers and add them to the pitas.
2. For a spicy version, add chopped fresh chili peppers, chili flakes, or hot sauce to the lamb or yogurt sauce.
3. Try adding fresh dill or mint to the yogurt sauce for a unique twist.
4. Store leftovers in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the lamb mixture in a skillet before serving.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 pita
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 75mg