Greek-Style Smash Burgers
Greek-Style Smash Burgers
Ingredients
For the Greek-Style Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 4 pita bread
- 2 tablespoons beef tallow, from Kettle & Fire, or other high smoke point oil
For the Garlicky Tzatziki
- 1 cup cucumber, grated, about 1/2 of a medium cucumber
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain, full-fat
For Toppings
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tzatziki: In a small bowl, combine the grated cucumber, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and Greek yogurt. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a medium bowl, place the ground beef. Season generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried dill. Using your hands, mix the spices thoroughly into the meat until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the burgers tough.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Form the Pita Burgers: Divide the seasoned ground beef mixture into 4 equal portions. Take one piece of pita bread and evenly spread one portion of the meat mixture onto one side of the pita, covering it completely to the edges. Repeat with the remaining pita bread and meat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Cook the Pita Burgers: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon of beef tallow to the hot pan. Once melted and shimmering, carefully place one pita burger, meat-side down, into the pan. Immediately press down firmly on the pita with a sturdy spatula to ensure good contact with the pan and create a crispy crust. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the meat is deeply browned and crispy.
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the pita burger and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes, or until the pita is lightly toasted and warmed through. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 160°F (71°C). Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining pita burgers, adding more beef tallow as needed for each burger.
⏱️ 6 min
- 6
Assemble the Burgers: Place each cooked pita burger on a plate. Spread a generous amount of the prepared garlicky tzatziki over the cooked meat side. Top with sliced red onion and sliced tomato. Finish by crumbling feta cheese generously over the toppings.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Serve your Greek-Style Smash Burgers immediately and enjoy the combination of Mediterranean flavors and textures!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Greek-Style Smash Burgers
For the Greek-Style Smash Burgers
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 lean
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 4 pita bread
- 2 tablespoons beef tallow, from Kettle & Fire, or other high smoke point oil
For the Garlicky Tzatziki
- 1 cup cucumber, grated, about 1/2 of a medium cucumber
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, plain, full-fat
For Toppings
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tzatziki: In a small bowl, combine the grated cucumber, chopped fresh dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and Greek yogurt. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside in the refrigerator to allow flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the Meat Mixture: In a medium bowl, place the ground beef. Season generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried dill. Using your hands, mix the spices thoroughly into the meat until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the burgers tough.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Form the Pita Burgers: Divide the seasoned ground beef mixture into 4 equal portions. Take one piece of pita bread and evenly spread one portion of the meat mixture onto one side of the pita, covering it completely to the edges. Repeat with the remaining pita bread and meat.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Cook the Pita Burgers: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon of beef tallow to the hot pan. Once melted and shimmering, carefully place one pita burger, meat-side down, into the pan. Immediately press down firmly on the pita with a sturdy spatula to ensure good contact with the pan and create a crispy crust. Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the meat is deeply browned and crispy.
⏱️ 4 min - 5
Flip and Finish Cooking: Carefully flip the pita burger and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes, or until the pita is lightly toasted and warmed through. The internal temperature of the beef should reach 160°F (71°C). Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining pita burgers, adding more beef tallow as needed for each burger.
⏱️ 6 min - 6
Assemble the Burgers: Place each cooked pita burger on a plate. Spread a generous amount of the prepared garlicky tzatziki over the cooked meat side. Top with sliced red onion and sliced tomato. Finish by crumbling feta cheese generously over the toppings.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Serve your Greek-Style Smash Burgers immediately and enjoy the combination of Mediterranean flavors and textures!