Looking for a quick and delicious meal that's perfect for warm weather? Look no further than these mouthwatering shrimp pitas! Juicy grilled shrimp are tucked into warm pita bread and topped with crisp veggies and creamy tzatziki sauce. It's a refreshing and flavorful meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or a weekend barbecue. Plus, with just a few simple ingredients, it's easy to make at home. So fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy this amazing shrimp pita recipe!
Looking for more shrimp recipes? Try my Shrimp Cocktail Cups, Poached Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp Fried Rice, Chinese Coconut Shrimp, and Fried Shrimp.
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Why You'll Love These Shrimp Pitas
- Delicious and Flavorful: The combination of succulent grilled shrimp, fresh veggies, and creamy tzatziki sauce creates a delicious and flavorful taste experience that's sure to delight your taste buds.
- Easy and Quick to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is a breeze to make, even for beginner cooks.
- Versatile and Customizable: Whether you're looking for a light lunch or a filling dinner, these shrimp pitas can be customized to your taste preferences by adding or omitting ingredients as desired. Plus, they're perfect for outdoor barbecues, picnics, or even as a grab-and-go meal on busy days.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Full list of ingredients with measurements listed below in recipe card.
- Shrimp: This is the star of these shrimp pitas and provides a succulent, tender texture and mild seafood flavor. Possible substitutions include other seafood such as scallops, crab, or fish.
- Pita: This bread serves as the base of the dish and provides a warm, soft texture. Possible substitutions include other flatbreads such as naan or tortillas.
- Olive Oil: This ingredient is used to make the marinade for the shrimp and provides a rich, slightly fruity flavor. Possible substitutions include other neutral-tasting oils such as canola or vegetable oil.
- Lemon: The juice of the lemon is used to add acidity to the marinade, giving the shrimp a bright, tangy flavor. Possible substitutions include other citrus fruits such as lime or orange.
- Garlic: This ingredient provides a pungent, slightly sweet flavor to the marinade and adds depth to the overall dish. Possible substitutions include garlic powder or shallots.
- Oregano and Dill: These dried herbs are used to flavor the marinade and add a subtle, earthy taste to the dish. Possible substitutions include other dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary.
- Sea Salt: This ingredient enhances the natural flavors of the other ingredients and adds a hint of saltiness to the dish. Possible substitutions include other types of salt such as kosher or Himalayan salt.
- Cucumber, Tomato, and Red Onion: These fresh vegetables add a crisp, refreshing texture and fresh flavor to the dish. Possible substitutions include other veggies such as bell peppers, carrots, or radishes.
- Tzatziki Sauce: This creamy sauce is made with Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, and dill, and adds a tangy, slightly sweet taste to these shrimp pitas. Possible substitutions include other sauces such as hummus or tahini sauce.
Equipment Needed
- Grill or Grill Pan: The shrimp in this recipe is grilled, so you will need a grill or grill pan to cook them on. If you don't have a grill or grill pan, you could also use a stovetop griddle or skillet.
- Mixing Bowl: You will need a mixing bowl to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, garlic, and salt for the shrimp marinade.
- Whisk: A whisk is necessary to fully combine the ingredients in the shrimp marinade.
- Plastic Wrap: You will need plastic wrap to cover the bowl of shrimp marinade while it refrigerates.
- Paper Towels or Cheesecloth: This is needed to strain the grated cucumber for the tzatziki sauce.
- Cutting Board and Knife: You will need a cutting board and knife to slice the cucumber, tomato, and red onion for the pita pockets.
- Spatula or Tongs: You will need a spatula or tongs to flip the shrimp on the grill while cooking.
- Serving Plate: Once the shrimp pitas are assembled, you will need a plate to serve them on.
How to make Shrimp Pitas
Full list of ingredients with measurements listed below in recipe card.
To make these delicious shrimp pitas, start by making the shrimp marinade. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried dill, minced garlic, and sea salt until fully combined. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade, toss to coat, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
While the shrimp is marinating, preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the shrimp on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are pink and opaque and cooked through. Remove the shrimp from the grill and set them aside.
Next, cut the pitas in half and spread your desired amount of tzatziki sauce inside each pita half. Then, fill the pita halves with sliced cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Add the grilled shrimp on top, and then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over everything. Serve immediately and enjoy!
To make the tzatziki sauce, start by grating half of a cucumber and placing it in a bowl lined with paper towels or cheesecloth. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the cucumber and let it sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture. After 15 minutes, squeeze all of the water out of the cucumber through the paper towels or cheesecloth, and then add the cucumber to a mixing bowl.
To the cucumber, add Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh or dried dill weed, lemon juice, and salt. Stir everything together until fully combined. Cover the tzatziki sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Once the sauce is chilled and the shrimp are cooked, assemble your pitas and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal!
Variations
- Grilled Chicken Pitas: Swap out the shrimp for grilled chicken breast for a tasty alternative.
- Vegetarian Pitas: Skip the shrimp and replace with grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers. You can also add hummus or falafel for extra protein.
- Spicy Shrimp Pitas: Add a little heat to the marinade by incorporating red pepper flakes, chili powder, or hot sauce.
- Mediterranean Pitas: Add some olives, artichoke hearts, and roasted red peppers to your pita pocket for a more Mediterranean twist.
- Gyro Pitas: Replace the shrimp with gyro meat (beef, lamb or chicken) and add some feta cheese, sliced red onion, and tzatziki sauce.
- Seafood Pitas: Instead of just using shrimp, add some other seafood like scallops, calamari, or fish.
- Vegan Pitas: Make the tzatziki sauce vegan by using a plant-based yogurt and skipping the shrimp. Add grilled portobello mushrooms or chickpeas for extra protein.
FAQ's
Yes, you can substitute shrimp with chicken, beef, or tofu.
Yes, the tzatziki sauce can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
Yes, store-bought tzatziki can be used in this recipe to save time.
Yes, the shrimp can be baked in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or until pink and opaque..
Tips & Notes
- Don't overcook the shrimp: Overcooked shrimp can become rubbery and tough. Keep an eye on them while grilling and cook until they are pink and opaque.
- Use fresh ingredients: The freshness of the ingredients can make a big difference in the overall taste of the dish. Make sure the shrimp is fresh, and the vegetables are ripe and firm.
- Marinate the shrimp: Marinating the shrimp for at least 15 minutes will help to infuse it with flavor and make it more tender.
- Let the tzatziki sauce sit: After making the tzatziki sauce, let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
- Warm up the pita: Before filling the pita pockets, warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave or on the grill. This will make them softer and more pliable, making them easier to fill.
- Customize the toppings: Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking. Add more vegetables or swap out the feta cheese for another type of cheese. You can also add some hot sauce or chili flakes for a spicier version.
- Use a grill pan if necessary: If you don't have access to an outdoor grill, you can use a grill pan on the stovetop. Make sure to preheat the grill pan before adding the shrimp to ensure even cooking.
📋 Recipe
Shrimp Pitas with Tzatziki
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Ingredients
For the Shrimp Pitas:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ lb shrimp peeled and deveined, tails removed
- 2 pitas
- Cucumber sliced
- Tomato sliced
- Red onion sliced
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber grated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill weed chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, dried dill, minced garlic, and sea salt until fully combined.
- Place the peeled and deveined shrimp in the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- While the shrimp is marinating, preheat your grill or grill pan.
- Place the shrimp on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque and cooked through. Remove from the grill and set aside.
- Cut the pitas in half and spread desired amount of tzatziki sauce inside each pita. Fill the pitas with sliced cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Then add grilled shrimp on top.
- Top with crumbled feta cheese and enjoy!
For the tzatziki sauce:
- Add grated cucumber to a bowl lined with paper towels or cheesecloth. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt (this will help draw moisture). Let the cucumber sit for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, squeeze all the water out of the cucumber through the paper towels or cheesecloth. Add cucumber to a bowl.
- To the cucumber, add the remaining ingredients (Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh dill weed, salt, and lemon juice). Stir to combine well.
- Place the tzatziki sauce in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors come together.
- Serve with the shrimp pitas.
Notes
- Make sure to properly marinate the shrimp for at least 15 minutes before grilling for maximum flavor.
- Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery.
- Use a grill pan or an outdoor grill to get those nice char marks on the shrimp.
- Don't skip the tzatziki sauce, as it adds a refreshing and tangy element to the dish.
- Choose fresh and high-quality ingredients, such as ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers, for the best taste and texture.
- Serve the shrimp pitas immediately after assembling them to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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