Ingredients:

  • 5 lbs Lamb Shoulder or Leg (boneless, trimmed and thinly sliced)
  • 1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp Dried Rosemary
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 cup Full-fat Greek Yogurt (strained)
  • 1 medium Cucumber (seeded and grated)
  • 1 clove Garlic (very finely minced)
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Dill (chopped)
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Mint (chopped, optional)
  • 1 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 8 count Pita Bread
  • Thinly sliced Red Onion (for assembly)
  • Fresh Tomato wedges (for assembly)

Instructions:

  1. Part 1: Preparing the Tzatziki. Grate the cucumber and place it in a sieve lined with cheesecloth or paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let it sit for 30 minutes. Squeeze aggressively to remove as much liquid as possible.
  2. In a bowl, combine the strained Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, dill, mint (if using), and red wine vinegar. Season well with salt and pepper. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
  3. Part 2: Marinating the Lamb. Ensure the lamb is sliced very thinly. In a non-reactive bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  4. Toss the lamb slices thoroughly in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or ideally overnight.
  5. Part 3: Cooking and Assembly. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Cook the lamb in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Sear quickly, turning often, until nicely browned (about 5–7 minutes).
  6. Remove the cooked lamb and keep warm while you cook the remaining batch.
  7. Gently warm the pitas directly on a dry pan or over a gas flame until soft and pliable.
  8. To Assemble: Place a warm pita on your work surface. Layer generously with tzatziki, a heap of the cooked lamb, followed by sliced red onion and tomato.
  9. Fold the pita around the filling to create a secure wrap and serve immediately.