Grilled Greek Feta Burgers in Pita: A Flavorful Mediterranean Meal Ready in 20 Minutes

Imagine a delicious, moist beef burger served in crispy Pita bread, complemented by Mediterranean grilled vegetables and infused with the aromatic flavors of Za’atar and delicious Feta cheese and hummus. This Greek-inspired burger is perfect for the BBQ or grill, and it’s a super simple recipe that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

Searching for an easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful meal that won’t keep you in the kitchen for hours? Look no further! This recipe for Greek Feta burgers is your answer. It’s an ideal choice for a busy Monday or any weeknight when you crave something wholesome and quick. This time, we’re crafting a succulent burger served with beautifully grilled Mediterranean vegetables and a generous dollop of creamy hummus, all designed to perfectly balance and enhance the tangy taste of Feta cheese.

While these burgers are a complete meal on their own, serving them with a fresh green salad is a fantastic way to add an extra layer of healthiness and crunch. The vibrant colors and textures will make your plate even more appealing, truly a delicious and healthy combination.

Key Ingredients for Authentic Greek Flavor

Every great recipe starts with quality ingredients. For our Greek Feta burgers, we’ve carefully selected components that deliver an explosion of Mediterranean flavors. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so special:

• Fennel: This unique vegetable offers a subtle anise flavor that transforms beautifully when grilled. It develops a delightful crispness and a hint of sweetness, making it an excellent counterpoint to the savory burger. If fennel isn’t to your taste or readily available, sliced eggplant or red pepper make excellent substitutes, offering a different but equally delicious grilled texture and flavor profile.
• Zucchini: While often mild on its own, grilling zucchini unlocks its natural sweetness and provides a tender, slightly charred texture that adds depth to the burger. Its versatility makes it a perfect canvas for the smoky notes of the grill and the savory spices.
• Hamburgers: For this authentic Greek burger recipe, we recommend using high-quality beef hamburgers. Their inherent juiciness ensures a tender and flavorful patty that stands up well to the bold Mediterranean toppings. However, for a lighter alternative, feel free to substitute with turkey, chicken, or even pork burgers. Each option brings its own unique character to the dish.
• Pita Bread: Steering away from traditional hamburger buns, we’ve chosen fluffy pita bread to give these burgers an unmistakable Greek touch. The greatest advantage of pita bread is its ability to be easily opened and filled, creating a convenient and delicious pocket for all your ingredients. Opt for the largest pita bread you can find, as it will be easier to fill generously.
• Hummus: This creamy, savory chickpea dip acts as a luscious topping, providing moisture and a rich, earthy flavor that complements the Feta cheese and grilled vegetables. You can easily prepare homemade hummus using a simple Homemade hummus recipe or experiment with a sweet potato hummus for a unique twist. Alternatively, for ultimate convenience, a store-bought version works perfectly.
• Feta Cheese: The star of our Greek burger, Feta is a briny, slightly salty sheep’s milk cheese from Greece, renowned for its crumbly texture and tangy flavor. Traditionally, only cheese prepared in specific regions of Greece using a traditional method can be officially called Feta (source: Wikipedia). Its distinct taste is essential for an authentic Greek experience.
• Za’atar: This aromatic spice mix from the Middle East is a game-changer for these burgers. Typically a blend of dried oregano, thyme, sumac, and toasted sesame seeds, Za’atar offers a slightly spicy, nutty, and roasted flavor profile with a tangy zing from the sumac. It’s a fantastic addition that elevates the entire dish. If Za’atar isn’t in your pantry, a mix of sumac, oregano, or thyme can be used as a close alternative.

🔪 How to Prepare Greek Burgers with Feta: Step-by-Step Guide

Get ready to impress with this simple yet sophisticated recipe. Follow these steps for perfect Greek Feta burgers every time:

Step 1: Prepare Your Mediterranean Vegetables. Begin by thoroughly cleaning your fennel and zucchini. For the fennel, trim off the fronds and the base, then slice it into thin, even pieces. For the zucchini, use a vegetable peeler or a cheese slicer to create delicate, thin ribbons or slices. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the sunflower oil with a pinch of salt and a dash of freshly ground black pepper. Add your prepared fennel and zucchini slices to the bowl and toss them gently until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasonings. This pre-oiling step is crucial as it prevents the vegetables from sticking to the grill and helps them cook beautifully.

Step 2: Grill the Burgers, Pita, and Veggies. Heat your grill pan or outdoor BBQ to a high temperature until it’s sizzling hot. Start by grilling the hamburgers: cook them for approximately 3 minutes on each side for a medium-rare doneness. If you prefer your burgers more well-done, extend the cooking time to 5 minutes per side. Once cooked, wrap the hamburgers loosely in aluminum foil to keep them warm and allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender patty. Next, quickly grill the pita breads for about 2 minutes per side until they are slightly crispy and have appealing grill marks. Finally, grill your oiled zucchini slices for just 1 minute per side, and the fennel slices for 2 minutes per side, aiming for tender-crisp vegetables with a lovely char. Set all grilled components aside, as you’re now ready to assemble your delicious Greek burgers!

Step 3: Fill Your Pita Bread. Carefully slice open each pita bread along one edge, creating a pocket. Take your beautifully grilled vegetables – the tender fennel and charred zucchini – and generously fill each pita pocket. Then, retrieve a juicy hamburger from its foil wrapper and gently place it inside the pita, on top of the vegetables. The pita will cradle the ingredients, making for an easy-to-eat and delightful experience.

Step 4: Flavor Your Burger and Serve. To complete your Greek masterpiece, add a generous spoonful of creamy hummus over the burger and vegetables. Next, crumble the Feta cheese liberally on top, allowing its salty tang to mingle with the other flavors. Finish with a delicate sprinkle of Za’atar spice, which will add an aromatic, nutty, and slightly tangy flourish. Serve your Greek Feta burgers immediately to enjoy them at their freshest and most flavorful!

Expert Tips & Variations for Your Greek Feta Burgers

• Zucchini Slicing Trick: For perfectly thin and even zucchini strips, a simple cheese slicer or vegetable peeler works wonders. This ensures even cooking and a delicate texture.
• Prevent Sticking: Always pre-oil your vegetables directly before grilling. Since you can’t typically oil a grill pan or BBQ grates effectively without causing smoke or a flare-up, coating the vegetables ensures they cook without sticking and get those appealing char marks.
• Feta vs. White Cheese: If traditional Greek Feta is unavailable, many supermarkets offer “white cheese” or “Mediterranean cheese” varieties that can provide a similar briny, crumbly texture. While not identical, they make a suitable substitute.
• BBQ Ready: This recipe is incredibly versatile and shines equally well on an outdoor barbecue. The smoky flavors from charcoal or wood chips will add another layer of deliciousness to your burgers and vegetables.
• Customizing Doneness: The suggested grilling time of 3 minutes per side for hamburgers will result in a juicy medium-rare burger. If you prefer your patty cooked through, grill for approximately 5 minutes on each side. Always use a meat thermometer for accuracy if unsure (160°F or 71°C for well-done beef).
• Add Fresh Herbs: A sprinkle of fresh mint or parsley before serving can brighten the flavors even further, adding a refreshing note.
• Lemon Zest: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest over the grilled vegetables or finished burger can really elevate the Mediterranean profile.
• Serving Suggestions: Beyond a green salad, consider serving these burgers with a side of tzatziki sauce for an extra creamy, cooling element, or a simple Greek potato salad.

How to Store Leftover Feta Cheese: Smart Tips

We all want to minimize food waste, and sometimes, storing specialty ingredients like Feta cheese can seem tricky. But don’t worry, I’ve got some fantastic tips to ensure your leftover Feta stays fresh and delicious for future use!

• In Brine Solution: The best way to store Feta is in its original brine. Transfer any leftover cheese and its liquid into an airtight container. Make sure the cheese is fully submerged in the salty solution. Stored this way in the refrigerator, it can last for up to one week, maintaining its texture and flavor beautifully.
• In Olive Oil: If you’ve purchased Feta that isn’t in brine, or if you’ve discarded the original liquid, you can store it in olive oil. Cut the Feta into cubes and place them in an airtight container. Pour enough good quality olive oil over the cheese to completely cover the cubes. This method not only preserves the Feta for up to two weeks in the refrigerator but also infuses the oil with a lovely Feta flavor, which can then be used in dressings or for dipping bread.
• Delicious Recipes for Leftover Feta: Don’t let your Feta go to waste! It’s incredibly versatile. Here are some fantastic recipes to inspire your next meal:
  • A savory spinach, ricotta, and feta quiche.
  • A quick and delightful spinach, feta, and pine nuts pizza.
  • Or try this hearty stir-fry dinner with potatoes, feta, and spinach.

Meal Prep & Storage Considerations

• Vegetables: The zucchini and fennel can be sliced, mixed with oil, salt, and pepper, and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few hours before grilling. This can save you valuable time just before cooking.
• Hummus: If you choose to make your own hummus, it can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Burgers & Pita: For best results, it’s not recommended to pre-cook the burger patties or grill the pita bread too far in advance, as they are best enjoyed fresh off the grill.
• Assembled Meal: This delicious Greek Feta burger recipe is designed to be eaten immediately after assembly. The combination of warm burger, grilled veggies, and creamy toppings is best savored fresh. It cannot be stored as a complete, assembled meal.

More Grilling & BBQ Inspiration

If you loved this quick and flavorful grilling recipe, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic options for your next barbecue or weeknight meal:

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Greek Burgers with Feta {Easy & Quick}

Andréa

A healthy and flavorful Mediterranean meal ready in just 20 minutes! Enjoy juicy hamburgers with grilled fennel and zucchini, creamy hummus, and tangy Feta cheese, all served in a crispy pita bread. A perfect quick dinner or BBQ delight.

5 of 2 votes

Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mediterranean, Greek

Servings 4 persons

Calories 420 kcal

Equipment

• Bbq or grill pan
• Vegetable peeler or cheese slicer

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• ▢ 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 1 fennel bulb
• ▢ 1 zucchini
• ▢ 4 beef hamburgers
• ▢ 4 large pita bread
• ▢ 4 tablespoons hummus , store-bought or homemade
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Za’atar
• ▢ 3 tablespoons Feta cheese

All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.

Instructions

Preparation

• ▢
  Thoroughly wash and clean the fennel and zucchini.
• ▢
  Trim the fennel bulb and cut it into thin, even slices.
• ▢
  Using a vegetable peeler or cheese slicer, shave the zucchini into thin ribbons or slices.
• ▢
  In a bowl, mix the sunflower oil with the salt and ground black pepper.
• ▢
  Add the sliced fennel and zucchini to the seasoned oil and toss well to ensure all vegetables are evenly coated.

Grilling

• ▢
  Heat your grill pan or BBQ over high heat. Grill the beef hamburgers for 3 minutes on each side for medium-rare, or 5 minutes for well-done. Remove from heat, wrap in aluminum foil, and let them rest to keep warm and juicy.
• ▢
  Grill the pita bread for 2 minutes on each side until lightly toasted and marked. Once cool enough to handle, carefully cut each pita open along one edge to create a pocket.
• ▢
  Grill the zucchini slices for 1 minute per side, and the fennel slices for 2 minutes per side, until tender-crisp with nice grill marks. Set aside.

Assemble & Serve Your Greek Burgers

• ▢
  Carefully open each pita bread and fill the pocket with an even portion of the grilled fennel and zucchini.
• ▢
  Unwrap the hamburgers from the foil and gently place one inside each pita pocket, resting on the grilled vegetables.
• ▢
  Top each burger with a generous tablespoon of hummus. Crumble the Feta cheese over the hummus and sprinkle with Za’atar spice.
• ▢
  Serve your flavorful Greek Feta burgers immediately, perhaps alongside a fresh green salad for a complete meal. Enjoy!

Notes

• For perfectly thin zucchini, use a cheese slicer or a vegetable peeler.
• Pre-oiling the vegetables prevents them from sticking to the grill pan or BBQ grates.
• If traditional Feta cheese is unavailable, you can use a high-quality “white cheese” as a substitute.
• This recipe is perfectly suited for cooking on an outdoor barbecue, enhancing the smoky flavor.
• For a medium-rare hamburger, grill for 3 minutes per side. For a fully cooked burger, increase grilling time to 5 minutes per side.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 14gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 890mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 254IUVitamin C: 17mgIron: 4mg

Keyword Greek burgers, Feta burgers, quick BBQ recipe, healthy burger, Mediterranean dinner, grilled beef, pita sandwich

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