Day 54.

I’ve never had a gyro, but I LOVE falafel sandwiches. So, when I was searching for something to make with the cucumber from our CSA box, I decided to go with these yummy-sounding gyro burgers. They won’t replace gyros and falafel, but I bet it’s a good kicked up burger.

Grilled Vegetarian Gyro Burgers

Adapted from Gyro Burgers
Ingredients
16 oz. plain yogurt, divided
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix or make-at-home mix (recipe follows)
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground beef substitute
1/4 cup diced onion
6 pita bread rounds (or tortillas)
2 C torn lettuce leaves (optional)
1 tomato, seeded and diced

Directions
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 of plain yogurt with the envelope of ranch dressing mix. Remove half of the mixture to another bowl.

Into one of the bowls, add the remaining plain yogurt and diced cucumber; mix well. Cover and refrigerate. Preheat grill and lightly oil grate.

Mix the ground beef and 1/4 cup onion into the remaining half of the yogurt mixture. Shape into 6 hamburger patties.

Grill patties on medium heat for 7 minutes each side, turning once.

Cut off 1/4 end of the pita pockets and fill with torn lettuce, grilled burger, creamy cucumber sauce and diced tomatoes.

Ranch Seasoning Mix
1 tsp. salt
4 tsp. garlic powder
4 tsp. black pepper
4 tsp. sugar
4 tsp. paprika
4 tsp. parsley flakes
1 C minced dried onions

The Results
This is pretty darn tasty. It sort of made me want falafel, but it was a good quick meal without all the baking of the falafel that I usually have to do. For a quick semi-gyro burgers version, you could try pre-made burgers topped with the tzatziki mixture and ranch dressing mix, tomatoes and lettuce.

This meal fuses American burgers with Greek gyros. What’s your favorite “fusion” meal?

This post is shared with ·Real Food Wednesday, Crock pot Wednesday, Let’s Do Brunch, Works for me Wednesday, Watcha Makin’ Wednesdayand What’s for Lunch Wednesday.