Description
This Greek Gyro recipe features homemade gyro meat made from a flavorful blend of ground beef and lamb, seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. Served with traditional toppings like tzatziki sauce, fresh vegetables, and warm pita bread, this dish brings the authentic taste of Greek street food into your home kitchen. Perfect for a family meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Gyro Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 2 tablespoons bacon grease or butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed and finely minced
- 4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
Gyro Assembly and Toppings
- 1 batch Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
- 2-4 tomatoes, sliced
- 1-2 cucumbers, sliced
- 8-10 pita rounds
- Fresh dill, to garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce. Start by making the Tzatziki Sauce and place it in the refrigerator to marinate while preparing the gyro meat.
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Chop onion and garlic. Use a food processor to finely chop the onion and garlic or finely chop them by hand if a processor is not available.
- Combine gyro meat ingredients. In a large bowl, add ground beef, ground lamb, bacon grease or butter, eggs, milk, lemon juice, panko bread crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, and optional marjoram.
- Mix the meat mixture. Using your hands (wear disposable gloves if preferred), thoroughly combine all ingredients until evenly mixed for tender meat. Avoid overworking the mixture.
- Shape meat into patties. Form the meat mixture into about 10 oval-shaped patties and line them on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch.
- Bake the patties. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from the oven and keep warm.
- Prepare toppings. While the meat bakes, thinly slice the red onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Warm the pita bread in the microwave or the still-warm oven. Chop fresh dill if using.
- Assemble the gyros. Spread a layer of Tzatziki Sauce on each warm pita. Slice each gyro patty in half lengthwise for easier eating and place on top of the sauce. Add sliced red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and garnish with fresh dill.
- Serve and enjoy. Serve the gyros immediately, optionally accompanied by french fries, roasted potatoes, or a Greek salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Using 4 teaspoons of kosher salt might seem high, but it enhances the flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
- Wearing disposable gloves while mixing the meat helps keep hands clean and makes it easier to mix thoroughly.
- Shaping the patties as ovals helps mimic the traditional gyro meat shape and allows them to fit nicely on the pita.
- Warming the pita bread makes it more pliable and enhances the texture of the gyro.
- Marjoram is optional but adds an extra layer of classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Tzatziki sauce requires time to marinate for best flavor; starting it first is recommended.
