Smash burgers are great on a bun, but stuff one into a warm pita with a big pile of crunchy veggies and way too much tahini sauce and you’ve got something even better. This Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita starts with beef seasoned with warm seven spice, then gets loaded up with romaine, cucumber, tomato, red onion and salty feta before a generous drizzle of lemony garlic tahini sauce. It makes six pitas, it’s on the table fast, and everyone gets to build their own exactly the way they like it.
The contrast in this recipe is to die for. You get hot, savoury, crispy-edged beef right along with cool, crisp veggies, and a tahini sauce that pulls it all together with a little lemon. It’s hearty enough to count as a full meal, but fresh enough that you won’t need a nap afterwards. It’s also really easy to prep ahead, since the sauce and toppings can be ready to go before you even turn on the stove. Want more quick dinners? Try my Asian Inspired Beef Noodle Soup and Boursin Mushroom Pasta.
😍 Why You’ll Love This Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita
Smash burger vibes: the thin patties get crispy, browned edges in just a couple of minutes, and a pita holds all those toppings.
Fast enough for a weeknight: each patty only needs a minute or two per side, so honestly the chopping takes longer than the cooking.
A tahini sauce you’ll want on everything: it’s creamy, garlicky and bright with lemon, and any extra is great on salads, roasted vegetables or grain bowls.
Made for feeding a group: set out the patties, veggies, feta and sauce and let everyone assemble their own.
🥙 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita
Tahini: Make sure to give the jar a really good stir before you measure it, because the oil likes to separate and settle on top.
Lemon juice: Brightens the sauce and keeps the tahini from tasting too heavy.
Garlic: Gives the sauce a sharp, punchy bite that pairs so well with the warm spices in the beef.
Maple syrup: Enough to soften the natural bitterness of tahini and balance out the tang from the lemon.
Cold water: Thins the tahini into a smooth, drizzly sauce, so add it a little at a time until you get the consistency you want.
Salt: Seasons both the sauce and the beef.
Lean ground beef: Keeps the patties from getting greasy and still gets those crispy edges once it’s smashed thin on a hot pan.
Seven spice: This is a warm Middle Eastern spice blend that usually includes black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin and coriander.
Oil: Helps the patties brown and keeps them from sticking, and a neutral, high-heat oil like avocado or canola works best here.
Pitas: Warming them up for a minute in a dry pan or the oven makes them softer and much easier to fold without cracking.
Romaine lettuce: Adds a fresh, watery crunch that keeps each bite from feeling too rich.
Cucumber: Brings a cool, crisp freshness that works well with the warm spices.
Tomato: Adds juiciness and a little sweetness.
Red onion: Gives you a sharp bite that cuts through the beef and feta. If you find it too strong, soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow them out.
Feta cheese: Adds salty, tangy creaminess that goes great with the sauce.
✔ How To Make Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita
Prepare the tahini sauce: Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic cloves, maple syrup, cold water, and salt to a small food chopper. Pulse until smooth. Alternatively, finely mince the garlic and whisk everything together in a mixing bowl. Add more cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.
Prepare the toppings: Chop the romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and onion, and crumble the feta cheese. Set aside for assembly.
Prepare the beef: Add the lean ground beef, seven spice blend, and salt to a mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until evenly combined, then divide into six equal balls.
Cook the burgers: Heat a drizzle of your preferred oil in a large frying pan or on a griddle over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the beef balls and use a burger press or the flat bottom of a sturdy, heavy pot to press each one into a very thin patty. Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Repeat with the remaining beef.
Assemble and serve: Add a beef patty to each pita, top with the prepared vegetables and feta, and drizzle with tahini sauce.
Enjoy right away!
🗒 Variations
Add some heat: stir a spoonful of harissa or a pinch of chili flakes into the tahini sauce, or sprinkle Aleppo pepper over the patties while they cook.
Go herby: toss in a handful of fresh parsley or mint with the veggies for a bright, fresh lift.
Spread on some hummus: smear a layer of hummus inside each pita before adding the patty for extra creaminess.
🗒 Substitutions
Ground beef: ground lamb is a delicious swap here, and ground chicken or turkey work too. Just make sure poultry is cooked through, and add a little extra oil to the pan since it tends to stick.
Maple syrup: honey works as well to balance out the tahini.
Feta cheese: crumbled goat cheese is a nice tangy swap, or use a dairy-free feta to keep it dairy-free.
🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.
Store the beef patties, toppings and tahini sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The cooked beef will keep for up to three days, and the tahini sauce for up to five. The sauce will thicken up in the fridge, so just whisk in a splash of cold water to loosen it before serving. To reheat the patties, warm them in a pan over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Hold off on assembling until you’re ready to eat so the pitas don’t get soggy.
🤔 FAQ’s
What is seven spice?
Seven spice is a warm, aromatic spice blend used throughout Middle Eastern cooking. The exact mix varies, but it usually includes black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin and coriander. You can find it at Middle Eastern grocery stores and many larger supermarkets, or make your own at home.
Can I make the tahini sauce ahead of time?
Yes! The tahini sauce keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. It thickens as it sits, so whisk in a little cold water before serving to bring it back to a drizzly consistency.
Why did my tahini sauce get thick when I added water?
Tahini often seizes up and turns thick and pasty when liquid is first added. Keep whisking and add a little more cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and it’ll smooth out into a creamy sauce.
Do I need a burger press?
Not at all. The flat bottom of a sturdy, heavy pot works perfectly for smashing the patties thin. A small square of parchment paper between the beef and the pot will keep it from sticking.
Can I make these on the grill?
Since the patties need to be pressed thin, you’ll want a flat surface. A cast iron pan or griddle placed right on the grill works great.
👩🍳 Hungry For More?
If you loved this Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita recipe, here are a few more recipes worth keeping on rotation:
- Spanakopita Dip with Crispy Phyllo Topping
- Stuffed Onions (Onion Dolma)
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Cabbage Rolls Recipe
💌 Let’s Stay Connected
Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.
Middle Eastern Inspired Smashed Pita with Tahini Drizzle
Ingredients
Tahini Sauce
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1 lemon, juiced, about 1/4 cup
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp cold water, to thin the sauce
- salt to taste
Ground Beef
- 650 grams lean ground beef
- 1 tbsp seven spices, or a mix of black pepper, all spice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cumin and coriander
- 1/2 tsp salt
Extras
- 6 pitas, warmed
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 1 cucumber, roughly chopped
- 1 large tomato, roughly chopped
- 1 small red onion, finely sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare the tahini sauce: Add the tahini, lemon juice, garlic cloves, maple syrup, cold water, and salt to a small food chopper. Pulse until smooth. Alternatively, finely mince the garlic and whisk everything together in a mixing bowl. Add more cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.
- Prepare the toppings: Chop the romaine lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and onion, and crumble the feta cheese. Set aside for assembly.
- Prepare the beef: Add the lean ground beef, seven spice blend, and salt to a mixing bowl. Mix with your hands until evenly combined, then divide into six equal balls.
- Cook the burgers: Heat a drizzle of your preferred oil in a large frying pan or on a griddle over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the beef balls and use a burger press or the flat bottom of a sturdy, heavy pot to press each one into a very thin patty. Cook for approximately 1–2 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Repeat with the remaining beef.
- Assemble and serve: Add a beef patty to each warmed pita, top with the prepared vegetables and feta, and drizzle with tahini sauce.
- Enjoy right away!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My family loved this!