Mediterranean Diet Friendly Tahini Beef Gyros with Toasted Sesame

Total time1 hr 5 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time15 min

Mediterranean Diet Friendly Tahini Beef Gyros with Toasted Sesame

Ground beef patties get their savory depth from garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cinnamon, and a hit of cayenne, then sear in a hot skillet until deeply browned on the outside and juicy within. The tahini sauce comes together with fresh lemon juice and garlic whisked to a silky, pourable consistency, ready to drizzle over everything. Warm flatbread gets piled high with crisp romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumber, and thin ribbons of red onion for a fresh, crunchy contrast to the spiced meat. A final scatter of toasted sesame seeds and parsley ties the whole wrap together with a nutty finish. This one leans on olive oil, lemon, garlic, and a produce-forward filling, making it a genuinely solid pick for a Mediterranean-style table. Fold it up and eat it right away while the bread is still warm and pliable.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the beef

1 lb ground beef (80/20)
Isernios Chicken Ground Chicken Tray Pack - 16 Oz Foster Farms® Fresh & Natural Cage Free Ground Chicken Breast Open Nature Ground Chicken - 16 oz Smart Chicken Organic Ground Chicken Mary's Organic 93% Lean Ground Chicken, 16 oz
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Chef's tip
Ground chicken is often leaner than ground beef and can dry out more quickly. When browning it, add a little oil if needed and keep the pan juices unless the recipe says to drain them. Cook just until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¾ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

For the tahini sauce

⅓ cup tahini
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
1 clove garlic, minced
3–4 tbsp cold water
¼ tsp kosher salt

For assembling

4 flatbreads or pita breads
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup english cucumber, thinly sliced
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Mix with your hands until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat, then shape into 8 small oval patties about 1/2 inch thick. Place on a plate, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
2
While the patties chill, make the tahini sauce: whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt in a small bowl. The mixture will seize and thicken — whisk in cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until the sauce is smooth and pourable, with a consistency similar to a thick salad dressing. Taste and adjust salt or lemon juice as needed.

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