Greek Meatball Stuffed Pitas with Easy Tzatziki Sauce
A twist on Greek cuisine, these Greek meatball pitas are fast, flavorful and delicious! The simple, homemade tzatziki sauce makes the pitas incredible.
These Greek meatball stuffed pitas are insanely delicious.
A little bit different than the other Greek recipes I have posted here, it was high time pita bread was stuffed with tender, tasty meatballs.
I love the flavors of Greek food, and in most cases, I love how easy the recipes are to prepare.
Here are some of my favorite Greek-inspired recipes:
Weeknight Greek Chicken Burritos
Amazing Greek Feta Dip Appetizer
Homemade Flatbread (Greek Pocketless Pitas)
You can use storebought or homemade pita bread. Either way, you’re going to stuff it to the max with tender, flavorful Greek meatballs, simple tzatziki sauce (possibly my favorite sauce in the history of ever), and a layer of fresh tomatoes and greens.
Since the tzatziki can be made ahead of time and the tiny meatballs don’t take very long to cook, you can have these Greek meatball pitas on the table fast and without a lot of stress.
This really is one of my favorite meals (and I’m so happy you guy are loving this recipe, too!).
There’s a whole lot to love here! So stop reading and get cooking!
Greek Meatball Stuffed Pitas with Easy Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
TZATZIKI SAUCE:
- ½ cup grated seedless, English cucumber
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch black pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
MEATBALLS:
- ½ cup bread crumbs
- ⅓ cup milk
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds ground turkey
PITAS + TOPPINGS:
- 4 whole wheat pita breads
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, arugula or a combination
Instructions
- For the tzatziki, place the grated cucumber in the center of a clean kitchen towel. Roll up the towel and squeeze out the excess water from the cucumber. Place the cucumber in a medium bowl. Add the yogurt, garlic, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This can be made several days in advance.
- For the meatballs, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease the foil with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs and milk and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to let the crumbs soften. Add the parsley, egg, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the turkey and mix until well combined.
- Portion the meatballs into tablespoon-sized balls and place ½-inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes until the meatballs are no longer pink in the center.
- To serve, slice the pita breads in half. Dollop a spoonful of tzatziki sauce on the bottom of each pita. Add a layer of tomatoes and greens. Stuff meatballs inside and serve.
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
This dish is a regular in my house but I still don’t have the recipe memorized. I always pull the recipe up on my phone and think to myself “when is she going to publish a giant cookbook with her recipes”!! I’d buy it! Your recipes have never let me down!
Haha, thanks, Colleen! I’d love to publish a compilation like that but not sure most people would buy it when they can get the recipes for free online. 🙂
I think the same thing every time I look up a recipe for the hundredth time! I would totally buy your cookbook. There’s something about having the recipe in print with a nice colored picture. I know I can print each recipe and make my own homemade book, but then it would probably be a hot mess of used binders and page protectors. Not pretty.
I love your posts & this recipe. I was wondering if there is any way to get any nutritional value for any of the recipes? Only because I am using a food tracker. If not I will find a work around, but thought I’d ask?
Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I don’t calculate that info right now, but I’ll update the recipes if/when I do. Sorry about that!
My husband , kids and grandchildren all love this meal !
This was yummy! I swapped the parsley for cilantro, since I forgot to buy parsley- and the meatballs were delicious. I’d have to say my favorite part was the tzatziki sauce though. My husband loved this and we will def make it again!
What kind of bread crumbs do you suggest for the meatballs? Panko/Plain/Italian – anything?? We LOVE your recipes!
I usually use panko, but plain would work, too!
In general how do you freeze meatballs? Have you tried it before? Bake, cool, freeze? Then can you take them frozen and reheat in the oven? I’m stocking my freezer with a few meals, several from your blog:), for when I’m recovering from surgery next week. My kids are so excited to have the beef and bean burritos to heat up! I also have spaghetti sauce waiting to be devoured. Thank you!
Jodi
Hi Jodi – Yes, I bake, cool, and freeze the meatballs. Then you can bake from frozen (reheat in the oven or in a skillet, etc). You can speed that up by putting the meatballs in the fridge overnight so they thaw a bit (or all the way). Good luck recovering from your surgery!
Do you think you could freeze the meatballs and reheat later?
Yes, that should work great!
Since not eating nightshades I plan to top with
Chopped . I am thinking dark turkey meat over light is best as more moist and cooking meatballs part of the time ( after the meatballs are slightly firm sealed on the outside) in a clay pot which will make them even more moist.
Also plan to try So brand coconut unsweetened yogurt to replace the Greek yogurt
since I have gone dairy free. I ❤️ Mediterranean
Food.
Mel! I’ve made these five thousand times since you posted them and they are my very favorite! Thanks girl!
These meatballs are amazing! A big hit with the bigs and the littles. Thanks Mel!!
I’ve made these twice since you posted and we absolutely love them!!! I kinda hope they get their own stand alone post someday because they’re excellent.
I agree with someone above who said it’s great to see you being compensated for all the work you do! #teammel
This meal was absolutely fabulous. I was in heaven and it was so easy!!!
We loved this meal! I always appreciate your tips on what to serve with meals too!!
I’m going to have to take this challenge and try out Whole Foods Market. I’ve never bought anything there because it’s so expensive, but with your plan I can finally see what I’ve been missing. Well, I know what I’ve been missing. Whole Foods is amazing!
Also, I made the meatball pita sandwiches with the creamy dressing from your chipotle chicken skewers recipe. It was so delicious! and my boys loved it!
Mel, thanks for being so thoughtful about your posts including sponsored ones such as these. By way of feedback for Whole Foods, they should consider that in one post about pitas, it’s very contrived to force a blogger to talk about nearly every display in the store (related or not to the recipe) and to throw in promotions about their app and social media presence. Valuable content marketing does not stuff so many promotional aspects in one post and they should back off their dictates and they’d have better results. VCM is subtle and helpful without feeling sales-ey, and what they’ve forced here is not.
All to say, I totally support you Mel and appreciate your posts. Partners such as Whole Foods should think harder about their approach.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Ryan. I agree with you 110%. I’m sorry the post felt a little contrived; it was a difficult balance for me this go-round and I have a whole list of “lessons learned.” 🙂
I completely support your sponsored posts when they are aligned with your point of view. You are not selling out – you are getting compensated (and deservedly so) for providing great content. I would hate for you to burn out because the time/money/fun equation got out of balance for you in the blogging sphere. Lastly, your “endorsements” run the gamut from Whole Foods to the mentoring program in Africa so you are not one dimensional when it comes to promoting companies and causes you believe in. Keep at it – you are doing a great service to your readers. I was so moved by your posts about your trip to Africa and the incredible impact that such a minimal amount of money can make one the lives of the women that you highlighted – I will be supporting that organization in the future and would never have been exposed to it if not for you.
That means a lot, thank you, Rebecca! Mostly, I’m so grateful you have loved learning about Mentors. I have more to report on that amazing organization and the work they’ll be doing with the donations made by all of you.
I shared your blog with all my girlfriends ! Love everything you post , and all your recipes. I would be lost without your inspiration. Thank you .
I was a little caught off-guard by this post because it felt a little less genuine than you usually are. And while I agree with a previous commenter who said she is glad you are doing some sponsored posts (seriously, you do so much for us, and compared to some other bloggers I really can’t complain at all), it just didn’t feel totally “Mel” to me.
Having said that, I am not a Whole Foods shopper, but if I ever find myself nearby, I know I have some suggestions I can trust and I won’t feel so overwhelmed. So maybe that negates what I said above?
I guess I’m saying this wasn’t my favorite post (although the recipe looks yummy and I will try it at some point). Just wanted to give some honest feedback from one of your most loyal fans.
Thanks for your feedback, Stacie. I value loyal readers and appreciate hearing all sides. I can totally understand what you mean (most sponsored posts are dictated heavily by the sponsor’s preferred wording) and is the reason I have and will keep sponsored posts to a minimum. It’s a hard situation to be in at my level of blogging, because I’m trying to strike that balance of being compensated for the work of blogging without “selling out.” It’s a constant balancing act and I hope to do right by myself and by my readers. 🙂
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Mel. And thank you for all the thought you put into every single post you make. I am sure it is a very difficult balance for you and I so appreciate that you do it because I love, love, love you and your blog!
Made these and it was amazing!
This was SO. GOOD. We will be making this again for sure- one of my fav Mel recipes! We didn’t have bread crumbs so used crushed whole wheat saltines instead and then rolled meatball in Panko with some Greek seasoning ( from Mels Greek dip!) before baking. Also added some feta to the finished pita- thanks to reader tip above- was FAB! Thanks Mel! This was fast and a keeper!
Oooh, LOVE the idea of the Greek seasoning and the feta. Wish I had been eating dinner at your house!
You. Are. Awesome. Period. 🙂
I love this pita recipe–looks so delicious and easy! I am lucky to have a WF within 10 minutes of my house and I admit I shop there every week, sometimes twice weekly. With no preservatives, the food does not last very long. I’ve been very happy with the 365 foods overall. The only one I remember I did not care for was the 365 organic chicken broth. I love knowing where my meat and seafood come from. Yes, it is pricey for some stuff, but I think it is worth it for me, especially if I focus on the 365 options. I cannot wait to make those meatballs!
I LOVE Whole Foods and buy some products from them regularly. I’ve always felt like I couldn’t afford to buy my routine groceries there on my budget. I usually spend less than $25 per dinner each night. However, I can afford $125 for five meals especially considering the quality. I like how you included some pricier items such as salmon with other more affordable options like soup. It proves that you can eat healthy, fresh, good quality foods and be on a budget. I, too, love your blog. Your cooking style is much like my own. While I follow a few blogs, yours is my favorite. Thank you for the consistently delicious recipes. You’re amazing!!
Thank you, Brianne!
I love Whole Foods! I think that was some savvy shopping buying 5 nutritious and fresh meals for under $125! Hard for me to admit but my most favorite thing to buy there is the cakes! Instead of making them for my daughter’s birthdays, I buy them…and usually eat 75% of them myself! Love all their fresh food and I agree, the Market 365 are great deals! Can’t wait to try the pitas! Thanks!!
Some feta would be delicious on this pita…can’t wait to try it!!
But unfortunately, Whole Foods is synonymous with the most vicious child abuse. They’re all in with Planned Barrenhood, heavily supporting the child murderers with a portion of each purchase made in their stores.
Whole foods can be affordable if you watch sales and take advantage of their monthly coupon book. My favorite thing there is definitely a splurge,though. Whole Foods Chocolate Eruption Cake is delicious.
I’m no where near a Whole Foods, but I love that I can get these ingredients anywhere!
I can’t wait to try this one! I think my pickies will even like it!
I also agree that I’m happy to see you do a sponsored post. We are so very lucky to receive your content for free each day, and want you to get compensated so you will continue wanting to do it!!! I know you definitely have high end shopping readers out there and it’s great to see what they have at Whole Foods if you haven’t been by in a while.
Thanks, Kate. I appreciate you saying that. I won’t/don’t do sponsored posts very often but participating in one every now and then with companies I’m well aligned with definitely helps “pay the bills” of blogging so I can keep offering my favorite recipes to everyone consistently (and freely!). Thanks for your support!
I’m sure glad that you do!! Your website is my “go-to” when I’m looking for a new recipe because I know all of the recipes you share are always excellent! Your Sweet and Sour chicken has become a favorite staple on our meal rotation!
I just wanted to say that I <3 your site and your recipes and talk to my friends/family about you as if you were my best friend…! They *ALL* know who Mel is!
I'm really happy to see that you're doing some sponsored posts, too 😉 I love to see you taking advantage of what your incredible blog has to offer income-wise, while still creating amazingly beautiful -and delicious- content!
Well that was awfully nice, Amy. Thank you!
I didn’t know there was a whole foods in Idaho Falls area.
I’m confused…….$125 for 5 meals?? That is $25 a meal, which is not budget in my opinion when we budget $1 to $3 per person per day and eat healthy meals.
Yep, I totally understand what you are saying. This particular budget lineup might not be for everyone but like always (and particularly if you don’t have a Whole Foods close), you can shop around or add or subtract meals from the menu plan to better fit your budget. 🙂 (And I don’t believe there is a Whole Foods in the Idaho Falls area…there’s one in Boise and several in Utah, I believe.)
She’s not that far off on your calculations with 7 people in her family (or 8 if you include the blog!) – and for 5 delicious entrees that are fresh, light, and hearty, I think that’s a great deal.
Where you and I probably throw in a few ‘cheaper’ or ‘easier’ dinners to balance out the time and budget – she’s cooking 5 full-feature (blog-worthy) entrees…
I don’t live near a WF, but when I’ve gone on vacation to major cities we’ve always (fortunately!) had one near whatever hotel we’ve stayed at. We love their salad bar, especially on vacay when everyone wants a break from eating unhealthy foods that are not our norm. Everyone can get what they want, and it’s as healthy as you want to make it. This recipe sounds easy and yummy!
This recipe for Greek meatball stuffed pitas sounds great and something different to add to the menu this week. Do you peel the cucumber before grating?
Only if the skins are really thick – often times I leave the peel on.