This past weekend I visited a little Greek restaurant that just opened up in my neighborhood and I got some great tips on making Bifteki, wonderful Greek style burgers that are flavored with fresh herbs, Greek yogurt, and stuffed with feta cheese. I love cooking these on the grill but they also turn out wonderfully on a lightly oiled griddle.
Makes 4 Servings
1 Pound Ground Beef
1 Pound Ground Lamb
2 Tablespoons Greek Yogurt or Drained Plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme, Minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Mint, Minced
1 Tablespoon Fresh Oregano, Minced
1 Medium Yellow Onion, Grated
1 Egg
2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
1 and ½ Teaspoons Freshly Ground Black Pepper
8 Ounces Greek Feta Cheese
4 Grilled Pitas
1 – 2 Cucumbers, Sliced
1 – 2 Tomatoes, Sliced
1 – 2 Cups of Lettuce, Chopped
1 Onion, Sliced
1 – 2 Cups Tzatziki sauce
- In a large bowl, mix together:
- 1 Pound ground beef
- 1 Pound ground lamb
- 2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt or drained plain yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh mint, minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh oregano, minced
- 1 Medium yellow onion, grated
- 1 Egg
- 2 Teaspoons sea salt
- 1 and ½ Teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- Mix together the ingredients until well combined and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to combine
- Preheat the grill to medium – high heat
- Remove the meat from the refrigerator and shape into 8 large flat patties
- Place about 2 ounces of the Greek feta cheese onto one of the patties and place a second patty directly over the cheese and seal the two patties together by pressing the edges closed, sealing in the cheese, continue to stuff the patties with feta until all the bifteki’s are prepared
- Cook the bifteki for about 3 – 4 minutes per side on the preheated grill or lightly oil a griddle and cook the bifteki for about 5 minutes per side
- Place the bifteki’s on a lightly grilled piece of pita bread and garnish with fresh lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce and enjoy!
