Hey everyone, Jason Griffith here! There are some meals that just transport you to another place, and a perfectly made gyro is one of them. The combination of savory, seasoned meat, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tzatziki sauce all wrapped in a warm pita is a flavor experience that is simply divine. While you might think you need a fancy machine to make them, my Homemade Greek Gyros recipe is here to prove you wrong. With a little bit of time and some simple techniques, you can create a gyro that’s tender, flavorful, and tastes just like it came from a street food vendor in Greece.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I love most about this recipe is how it takes a classic street food and makes it completely approachable for a home cook. The meat is the star of the show. I prefer a mix of ground lamb and ground beef, seasoned with a perfect blend of Greek spices. The key to the authentic texture is to pulse the meat in a food processor until it becomes a tacky paste—this is what gives it that signature gyro texture that holds together beautifully. The rest of the ingredients are fresh and simple, with a homemade tzatziki sauce that is so creamy and tangy it’s hard to resist. This recipe is a fantastic way to satisfy a craving for something savory, fresh, and completely delicious.
Ingredients
For the Gyro Meat
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
- 1/2 medium onion, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 English cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or mint
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For Serving
- 6-8 pita breads
- Sliced tomatoes
- Thinly sliced red onion
- Shredded lettuce
Swaps and Notes
- Gyro Meat: The combination of ground lamb and beef is classic, but you can use all beef, all lamb, or even ground turkey or chicken.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Plain Greek yogurt is a must for the creamy, tangy base. Be sure to grate and drain the cucumber well, as excess water will make the sauce runny.
- Herbs: Fresh dill or mint in the tzatziki sauce makes a huge difference. Don’t use dried herbs here.
- Pita Bread: Store-bought pita bread is a great shortcut, but you can also make your own for an even more authentic experience.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Gyro Meat: In a food processor, pulse the onion until it is finely minced. Scoop the onion onto a clean towel and squeeze out all the excess liquid. In a large bowl, combine the minced onion, ground lamb, ground beef, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix with your hands until well combined.
- Process the Meat: Working in two batches, place the meat mixture into a food processor and pulse until it becomes a tacky paste. This is the secret to getting the right texture! Pack the mixture into a 9×5-inch loaf pan, pressing down firmly to remove any air pockets.
- Bake the Meat: Place the loaf pan in a larger roasting pan with about an inch of water. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for 1 hour to 1 hour and 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the meat from the oven and drain any excess fat. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing it thinly.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the meat is baking, in a medium bowl, combine the grated and drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill or mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Assemble the Gyros: Warm the pita breads in a dry skillet or in the microwave. Lay a pita on a plate, add a generous amount of sliced gyro meat, and top with sliced tomatoes, red onion, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
Tips for Success
- Squeeze the Onion: Squeezing the excess liquid from the onion is crucial! This prevents the meat from becoming watery.
- Process the Meat: Don’t skip this step! The food processor is what creates that classic, cohesive gyro meat texture.
- Drain the Cucumber: Just like with the onion, draining the cucumber is a must for a thick, creamy tzatziki sauce.
- Slice Thinly: Slicing the meat thinly is key to the authentic gyro experience.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Homemade Greek Gyros are a complete meal on their own. You can serve them with a simple side of potato salad, a fresh Greek salad, or a side of french fries. The savory flavors would also go great with other crowd-pleasing meals like a Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole or a platter of easy cheese-stuffed chicken wontons with ranch.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.
Storage and Leftover Tips
Leftover gyro meat and tzatziki sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can warm the sliced gyro meat in a skillet over medium heat.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy easy, savory, and satisfying meals, you might also like these other recipes:
- These Chicken Enchiladas are my go-to for cozy, crowd-pleasing dinners
- This Crockpot Nacho Dip is the reason I never have leftovers
- This Walking Taco Bar is my favorite no-fuss way to feed a crowd
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Greek Gyros recipe is a perfect example of a simple recipe that delivers a huge payoff in flavor. It’s a fun and easy way to get a fantastic meal on the table, and it’s guaranteed to become a new favorite in your home.
What’s your favorite international dish to make at home? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below! Be sure to follow me for more recipes that are as simple as they are delicious.
Homemade Greek Gyros: A Flavorful Taste of the Mediterranean
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is best)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or mint
- 4 pita breads
- Tomato slices
- Lettuce leaves
- Red onion slices
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb, ground beef, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, rosemary, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Shape the meat mixture into patties or a loaf shape for grilling.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Cook the meat on the grill for about 30 minutes, or until fully cooked and internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- While the meat is cooking, prepare the tzatziki sauce by mixing the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped dill or mint in a bowl. Set aside.
- Once the meat is done, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
- Warm the pita breads on the grill for 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the gyros by placing sliced meat on a pita, adding tomato slices, lettuce, and red onion. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce.
- Wrap the pita around the filling and serve immediately.
Leave a Reply