These Mediterranean Style Tacos are a fun twist on two classic recipes. Inspired by Greek gyros, fluffy pita bread is filled with seasoned LightLife Smart Ground, vegan tzatziki, and a delicious Mediterranean-inspired salad – making for a combination of flavors that is sure to become a family favorite!

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ingredients jump to recipe video step-by-step instructions tips & faqs

Mediterranean Style Tacos

Are these tacos or gyros? That’s a great question! So, before we get into the recipe, let’s start by distinguishing between these Mediterranean-Inspired Tacos and Gyros, and then delve into a detailed description of Gyros, including their origins.

Vegan Mediteranean Inspired Tacos

While they incorporate Mediterranean flavors and ingredients, these tacos are not traditional Mediterranean cuisine. They are a fusion that combines elements of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine.

Gyros

Gyros (pronounced YEE-ros) is a popular Greek dish with its roots in the Middle East. The name “gyros” comes from the Greek word for “turn” or “revolution,” referring to the traditional method of cooking the meat on a vertical rotisserie. The dish evolved over time as it spread across the Mediterranean region and became especially famous in Greece.

Traditional gyros are made with seasoned, thinly sliced meat, often lamb, chicken, pork, or a combination thereof. The meat is stacked on a vertical rotisserie, allowing it to cook slowly as it turns and crisps on the outside.

While both these Mediterranean-Inspired Tacos and Gyros draw inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine, they are distinct dishes with different ingredients, preparation methods, and cultural origins. The tacos offer a fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, while Gyros are a classic Greek dish known for their slow-cooked, seasoned meat and traditional presentation.

Ingredients

I love these Mediterranean Style Tacos because the ingredients list is so simple! I like to make my own seasoning blend for the LightLife Smart Ground as I typically have each of the individual seasonings on hand, but you could also purchase a premade blend if you prefer!

Seasoning Blend:

• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Dried thyme
• Dried rosemary
• Ground cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste for spiciness)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tacos:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Kalamata olives
• Parsley
• Fresh lemon juice
• Garlic
• Dried Oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil
• 1 (12-ounce) package of Lightlife Smart Ground
• Pita bread rounds, split
• Vegan tzatziki, homemade or store-bought

How to Make Mediterranean-Style Tacos

Just like the ingredients list, the instructions for this salad are easy and BONUS, they come together in less than 30 minutes!

Make the Mediterranean-Inspired Salad:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and chopped fresh parsley. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the rest of the dish. This colorful and refreshing salad will add a burst of Mediterranean flavors to your tacos!

Prepare the LightLife Smart Ground:

Place the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the Lightlife Smart Ground and cook until it’s browned and has a satisfyingly crumbly texture. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.

Prepare the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This zesty dressing will tie all the elements of your tacos together.

Warm the Pita Bread:

Heat the pita bread rounds in a toaster or a skillet for about 1-2 minutes on each side until they are warm and slightly crispy. This will enhance the overall texture of your tacos.

Assemble the Tacos:

Now comes the fun part! Take a warm pita bread round and spread a generous spoonful of the cooked Lightlife Smart Ground on it. Top it off with a generous serving of the Mediterranean salad and drizzle some of the zesty dressing over the top. For an extra layer of creaminess and flavor, don’t forget to add a dollop of vegan tzatziki sauce. You can either buy a store-bought version or make your own using a recipe online. 

Tips & FAQs

Storage and Reheating:

1. Storage: If you have leftover Smart Ground or assembled tacos, store them separately in airtight containers. Keep the salad, dressing, and tzatziki sauce separate as well. This will help maintain freshness and prevent the pita bread from becoming soggy. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
2. Reheating: To reheat the Lightlife Smart Ground, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s heated through. For the pita bread, you can lightly toast it in a toaster or warm it in a dry skillet. Reheat the salad components and tzatziki sauce separately to preserve their textures and flavors.

Ways to Customize these Mediterranean Style Tacos

Feel free to customize your Vegan Mediterranean-Inspired Tacos with additional ingredients like diced bell peppers, sliced black olives, or crumbled vegan feta cheese for extra flavor and texture.

Batch Cooking:

Consider making a larger batch of the Lightlife Smart Ground and Mediterranean salad, which can be used for various meals throughout the week. This saves time and allows you to create different dishes

Can I prepare the Components Ahead for Meal Prep?

Yes, you can prepare the Lightlife Smart Ground, Mediterranean salad, and tzatziki sauce in advance and assemble the tacos when ready to eat. This makes for convenient and quick meals during the week.

Different Cooking Methods:

1. Grilling: If you prefer a smoky flavor, grill the Lightlife Smart Ground on a grill grate or in a grill pan for a few minutes on each side until it’s slightly charred and heated through.
2. Oven-Baking: Spread the Smart Ground on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and crispy.
3. Air-Fryer: Use your air fryer to crisp up the Smart Ground by spreading it in a single layer and air frying at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.

Other Ways to Enjoy:

1. Lunch or Dinner: Serve these Vegan Mediterranean-Inspired Tacos as a hearty lunch or dinner option, accompanied by a side salad or roasted vegetables.
2. Party Platter: Make a large platter of these tacos for parties and gatherings. Guests can assemble their own tacos, customizing them to their liking.
3. Wrap It!: Instead of pita bread, use large, soft tortillas to create a wrap-style version of these tacos for a portable meal.
4. Bowl: Transform this recipe into a Mediterranean-inspired taco bowl by layering the components in a bowl instead of wrapping them in pita bread.

Recipes to Pair with Mediterranean Style Tacos

• Sweet Corn and LightLife Bacon Salad
• Mediterranean Inspired Orzo Salad
• Orzo and Arugula Salad with Bell Pepper Viniagrette
• Lemony Orzo Salad
• Antipasto Salad

Add These Tacos to Your ‘Taco Tuesday’ List!

I hope you love these Mediterranean Style Tacos ft. LightLife Smart Ground as much as I do! If you try this dish and enjoy it, I wanna know! Snap a photo, take a video, or make a story and post it to Instagram or TikTok, and tag me at @eat_figs_not_pigs and #EatFigsNotPigs. I love seeing your recreations of my recipes!

Til next time, friends!

XO!