Shawarma-Spiced Ground Turkey Pita Bar with Pickled Onion and Yogurt Sauce

Set out a sumptuous Mediterranean-style spread with this build-your-own pita bar. Tender, garlicky shawarma-spiced ground turkey pairs with a fresh tomato-cucumber salad, zingy pickled red onions, warm pitas and a creamy tangy sauce for drizzling. Serve it family style and let everyone create their perfect plate.

This recipe is endlessly adaptable-add falafel, feta or extra veggies for even more choices. It’s a quick, high-protein dinner that’s sure to become a weeknight favorite.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

3 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground TurkeyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit PitasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 tablespoon YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Mini CucumberView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 tablespoon Shawarma Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon Dried OreganoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Garlic PowderView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon (tsp) SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon (tsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Halve, peel and thinly slice half the red onion. Quarter the lemon. Dice the tomato into ½-inch pieces. Trim and dice the mini cucumber.
2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine the sliced onion, ½ teaspoon sugar, juice from half the lemon and a large pinch of salt. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 60 seconds. Set aside to pickle, stirring occasionally.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the diced tomato, diced cucumber, half the dried oregano and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4. In a third small bowl, combine the sour cream, yogurt and half the garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time until the mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.
5. Heat a drizzle of cooking oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey in a single layer. Season with half the shawarma spice blend, the remaining garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 4-6 minutes.
6. Wrap the pitas in damp paper towels and microwave until warm and pliable, about 60 seconds.
7. Drain the pickled onion. Arrange the pickled onion, tomato-cucumber salad, yogurt sauce, cooked turkey, warm pitas and remaining lemon wedges on a platter or board. Serve family style so everyone can build their own pita.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, ground chicken or thinly sliced chicken breast works well with the shawarma spice blend.

How do I make the yogurt sauce thicker?

Use less water when thinning the sauce or substitute Greek yogurt for regular yogurt.

Can I prepare the components in advance?

Absolutely. The pickled onion, tomato-cucumber salad and yogurt sauce can be made up to a day ahead. Cook the turkey just before serving.