Have you ever tried the wonder that is a gyro? It’s easily one of my top choices regarding Greek food. Imagine juicy, flavorful meat that is baked, thinly sliced, and pan-fried until it is perfectly crisp. And the best part is? It’s all wrapped up in a warm and toasty pita and stuffed with the most delicious combination of toppings.
We’re talking about cool and creamy tzatziki sauce, refreshing cucumber, spicy red onion, and the cherry on top: crumbly, tangy feta cheese. Honestly, just thinking about it makes my mouth water! Trust me, once you try this gyro, you’ll ask yourself how you ever got by without it.
You might think you need some fancy tools to make these tasty wraps, but trust me, it’s much easier than you think.
Even though the warm pita and fresh vegetables are tasty, it’s the gyro meat that really stands out. Usually made with lamb, a mix of lamb and beef, or even chicken, the meat is heavily seasoned with garlic, herbs, and spices, making every bite taste like an explosion of flavor.
The best part is making your own gyro meat at home. You don’t need a vertical rotisserie. Just form the meat into a loaf, put it on a skewer, and bake it until the inside is juicy and the outside is crispy. Then, just cut thin pieces of meat at an angle and eat them with your favorite toppings.
So, instead of ordering out, why not make gyros at home and wow your family and friends? They’re easy to make, taste great, and will take your taste buds straight to the sunny beaches of Greece.
What is a Gyro?
Gyro is a popular Greek traditional dish with thin slices of meat that have been cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is usually lamb, beef, or chicken. The meat is often served on pita bread with tomato, onion, and lettuce, as well as sauces and condiments like tzatziki, hummus, and tahini. It can also be served with this amazing Greek lemon rice.
Feta cheese, olives, and hot peppers are some other common toppings. In some versions of gyro, the pita may also have French fries or other fried vegetables. Overall, gyro is a flavorful and filling dish that has become popular in many regions worldwide.
Gyro Meat Blend
Beef and/or Lamb: Traditionally, this classic Greek dish is made with both beef and lamb. Feel free to try out different ways to put things together to see what you like. Just make sure you use medium or lean ground beef. If you use extra-lean meat, the gyro will be dry.
Onion and Garlic: Pureed garlic and onion are mixed into the meat, giving the dish a flavorful punch. Pureed onion also helps keep the meat from drying out.
Herbs and spices: You’ll need a mix of herbs and spices to really bring out the authentic flavors of a Greek gyro. Think rosemary, oregano (if you can find Greek oregano), cumin, marjoram, thyme, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy about adding these seasonings—they’re what really make the gyro sing.
Save time and effort by cooking Gyros ahead.
One great thing about gyros is that they can be made ahead of time. You can cook the meat, cut it into pieces, and keep it in the fridge for a few days. This makes it easy to put the gyros together when you’re ready to eat. Also, cooking the meat ahead of time gives it a chance to soak in a marinade and get more flavor.
Can I Freeze Gyro meat?
If you don’t plan to eat the gyros in the next two to three days, you can freeze them for 2-3 months. We suggest cutting the cooked meat into pieces before you freeze it. So, you can thaw only what you need instead of having to thaw the whole batch.
Reheating Gyro
When you’re ready to eat your gyros, you can simply reheat the meat. To do this, put a little oil in a frying pan and heat it over medium heat. Add the sliced gyros and pan-fry until heated through and crispy. Then, put the toppings and sauces you want on your pita.
Greek Gyro Recipe
Ingredients
For the Gyro Meat:
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1 lb ground beef (medium or lean, but not extra lean)
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1 lb ground lamb or pork (or use all beef if you prefer)
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1 medium onion, roughly chopped
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6–7 garlic cloves, peeled
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2 Tbsp dried oregano
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1 Tbsp dried thyme
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1½ tsp dried rosemary, crushed
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2½ tsp dried marjoram
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2 tsp ground cumin
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3 tsp salt (or to taste)
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2 tsp black pepper
For Serving:
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Pita bread
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Tzatziki sauce
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Tomatoes, sliced
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Red onions, thinly sliced
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Lettuce or salad greens
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Feta cheese, crumbled
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Cooking oil
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French fries (optional, for classic Greek style)
Instructions
Prepare the Gyro Meat
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Make the Onion-Garlic Puree:
Place the chopped onion and garlic cloves in a food processor or blender. Pulse until you get a smooth puree. -
Mix the Meat:
In a large bowl (or stand mixer with a paddle attachment), combine the ground beef, ground lamb (or pork), and the onion-garlic puree. Add all the spices—oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Mix thoroughly until the mixture is sticky and paste-like. This helps give it the classic gyro texture. -
Chill for Best Flavor (Optional):
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or up to 24 hours. This step helps the flavors meld, but you can skip it if you’re short on time. -
Shape and Bake:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking tray with foil for easy cleanup.
Shape the meat mixture into a tight log, patting it to remove air pockets.
For juicier meat, you can wrap the log in foil and insert a skewer through the center (optional, but it helps retain moisture and shape). Place the wrapped meat on the prepared tray.
Bake for about 1½ hours, turning the log once halfway through for even cooking.
(If using a loaf pan, you can bake the mixture in the pan, turning the pan in the oven halfway through.) -
Rest and Slice:
When the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), remove the meat from the oven. Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before unwrapping.
Place the cooked gyro upright (using the skewer if you used one) and slice thin strips with a sharp knife.
Crisp and Assemble the Gyros
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Crisp the Meat:
Heat a bit of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced gyro meat in batches and fry for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly crispy and browned. -
Assemble:
Warm your pita bread, then layer on a generous scoop of tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, feta cheese, and crispy gyro meat.
For the full Greek street-food experience, add a few French fries inside. -
Wrap and Serve:
Wrap each pita in foil or parchment paper to help hold everything together—and to make eating less messy.
Hey there! Already feel like a gyro expert? It’s time to show off your cooking skills and spread the joy of this mouth-watering Greek gyros recipe. Let’s give our Pinterest friends something to salivate over. So, come on, click that share button, and let’s make the planet a tastier place, one gyro at a time!
