Best 8 Best Gyro Recipes

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**Gyros: A Culinary Journey Through Greek Delicacies**

Gyros, a cornerstone of Greek cuisine, is a delectable dish that tantalizes taste buds with its succulent flavors and enticing aromas. This culinary gem is a delightful combination of seasoned meat, typically chicken, pork, or lamb, roasted on a vertical spit and expertly sliced into thin, crispy pieces. Nestled within a soft and fluffy pita bread, the tender meat mingles harmoniously with a symphony of fresh vegetables, tangy tzatziki sauce, and a sprinkle of aromatic herbs. Embark on a culinary adventure as we explore three enticing recipes that capture the essence of this beloved Greek dish: the Classic Chicken Gyro, the Succulent Pork Gyro, and the Savory Lamb Gyro. Each recipe unveils unique flavor profiles, catering to diverse palates and ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Let's cook with our recipes!

GYROS - AN AUTHENTIC RECIPE FOR MAKING THEM AT HOME



Gyros - an Authentic Recipe for Making Them at Home image

Yes, you can make authentic gyros at home --> the texture and flavor of this meat is as good as you get in a good Greek restaurant, without the traditional rotating spit.. but this is just the recipe and technique for making the meat, for I'm assuming you know the drill on making the classic gyro sandwich - stuff the meat in a grilled pita with sliced tomatoes, onions and tzaziki sauce.. Enjoy!

Provided by steve in FL

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h20m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground lamb (optional, you can use all ground beef if you're weirded out by lamb) (optional)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well.
  • Knead the mixture on the counter for 10 minutes - just like you're kneading bread. You may want to use a dough-scraper to help keep the counter clean. (I do). Pick that meat up and SLAM it into the counter, continuing to do so for the 10 minutes. This is key to getting the correct texture. I'm no Alton Brown, but I think the thing we're doing here is melting the fat so that we get a nice smooth texture in the end.
  • Form into a flat loaf - I like to put the meat onto a piece of wax paper, and flattening it into a 3" high slab rectangle. I cover it with another piece of wax and use a rolling pin to flatten it out, just make sure you straighten out the edges to form a rectangle so that when it comes time to slice, they are nice and even.
  • Bake the loaf on a broiler pan (or pan with raised edges, because it will leak grease!) at 350 for about an hour. Alternatively, you can grill it over coals, that's my favorite way, just be sure to turn often so as to distribute the juices.
  • Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing thin.

GYRO MEAT WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE



Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce image

Follow Alton Brown's Food Network recipe to make Gyro Meat with Tzatziki Sauce at home; the creamy cucumber-yogurt sauce goes perfectly with ground lamb.

Provided by Alton Brown

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h45m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium onion, finely chopped or shredded
2 pounds ground lamb
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 tablespoon dried ground rosemary
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Tzatziki Sauce, recipe follows
16 ounces plain yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
Pinch kosher salt
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
5 to 6 mint leaves, finely minced

Steps:

  • Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
  • Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
  • To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
  • To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:
  • Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
  • Preheat the grill to high.
  • Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
  • Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  • Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • Yield: 1 1/2 cups

CHICKEN GYROS RECIPE BY TASTY



Chicken Gyros Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: boneless, skinless chicken thighs, large yellow onion, wooden skewer, greek yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, coriander powder, paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, black pepper, large cucumber, greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, fresh dill, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, pita breads, onion, tomato

Provided by Mike Price

Categories     Dinner

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pounded flat
½ large yellow onion, peeled and root side removed
1 wooden skewer, sturdy, roughly 10 inches (25 cm)
2 cups greek yogurt
¼ cup lemon juice
¾ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 large cucumber, shredded
2 cups greek yogurt
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
8 pita breads
onion, sliced
tomato, sliced

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine marinade ingredients and stir well.
  • On a cutting board, place a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken thighs and pound until about ½ inch (1 cm) thick with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy pan.
  • In another large bowl or gallon plastic bag, combine chicken thighs and marinade, stirring well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to one day.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Shred the cucumber, be sure to squeeze out any excess liquid.
  • In a medium bowl, combine tzatziki ingredients and stir well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
  • On a baking sheet or a large cast-iron skillet, use the onion half as a base and position the skewer vertically like a spit. Skewer the chicken thighs individually, rotating each one 90 degrees.
  • Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Carve off slices of chicken to fill a pita. Top with onion slices, tomato slices, and tzatziki sauce.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 644 calories, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 44 grams, Sugar 18 grams

TRADITIONAL GYRO MEAT



Traditional Gyro Meat image

This Greek/Lebanese style meatloaf is sliced and served with pita bread, tzatziki, and tomatoes for a delicious gyro that is the closest I've come to emulating my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. The preparation time seems long, but most of it is resting time, so you can be doing other stuff! You can substitute pork or chicken for the ground lamb and beef if you prefer.

Provided by The Dread Pirate Paramour

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Ground

Time 2h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

½ onion, cut into chunks
1 pound ground lamb
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon ground dried rosemary
1 teaspoon ground dried thyme
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon sea salt

Steps:

  • Place the onion in a food processor, and process until finely chopped. Scoop the onions onto the center of a towel, gather up the ends of the towel, and squeeze out the liquid from the onions. Place the onions into a mixing bowl along with the lamb and beef. Season with the garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Mix well with your hands until well combined. Cover, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Place the meat mixture into the food processor, and pulse for about a minute until finely chopped and the mixture feels tacky. Pack the meat mixture into a 7x4 inch loaf pan, making sure there are no air pockets. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place the loaf pan on the towel, inside the roasting pan, and place into the preheated oven. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the loaf pan.
  • Bake until the gyro meat is no longer pink in the center, and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) on a meat thermometer, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pour off any accumulated fat, and allow to cool slightly before slicing thinly and serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.1 calories, Carbohydrate 1.9 g, Cholesterol 58.7 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 15.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 96.7 mg, Sugar 0.5 g

TRADITIONAL GYROS



Traditional Gyros image

I absolutely love being able to make my own gyros at home! You have to try them!

Provided by BetterCookingForSingleFathers

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Greek

Time 3h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 small onion, cut into chunks
1 pound ground lamb
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon sea salt
boiling water as needed
12 tablespoons hummus
12 pita bread rounds
1 small head lettuce, shredded
1 large tomato, sliced
1 large red onion, sliced
6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
24 tablespoons tzatziki sauce

Steps:

  • Place onion in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. Transfer onion to a piece of cheese cloth and squeeze out the liquid. Place onion in a large bowl.
  • Mix lamb, beef, garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and salt with the onion using your hands until well mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Place meat mixture in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and tacky, about 1 minute. Pack meat mixture into a 7x4-inch loaf pan, ensuring there are no air pockets. Place loaf pan into a roasting pan and pour enough boiling water around the loaf pan to reach halfway up the sides.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 45 to 60 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Pour off any accumulated fat and cool slightly.
  • Thinly slice the gyro meat mixture.
  • Spread 1 tablespoon hummus onto each pita bread; top each with gyro meat mixture, lettuce, tomato, red onion, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 424.8 calories, Carbohydrate 42.8 g, Cholesterol 60.6 mg, Fat 40.8 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 620 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

FAVORITE MEAT LOAF GYROS



Favorite Meat Loaf Gyros image

This is definitely a different gyro meat recipe, yet it is so good! I slice leftover meat in individual portions and freeze for any time I crave a gyro. -Sharon Rawlings, Tampa, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 large egg, lightly beaten
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground lamb
1 pound ground beef
TZATZIKI SAUCE:
1 cup plain yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
GYROS:
8 whole pita breads
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
16 slices tomato
8 slices sweet onion, halved

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the egg, garlic, oregano, kosher salt and pepper. Crumble lamb and beef over mixture; mix well. , Pat into an ungreased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Cool completely on a wire rack. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours., For sauce, in a small bowl, combine the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving. , Brush pita breads with 1 tablespoon oil; heat on a lightly greased griddle for 1 minute on each side. Keep warm. Cut meat loaf into very thin slices. In a large skillet, fry meat loaf in remaining oil in batches until crisp. , On each pita bread, layer the tomato, onion and meat loaf slices; top with some tzatziki sauce. Carefully fold pitas in half. Serve with remaining sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 475 calories, Fat 22g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 100mg cholesterol, Sodium 918mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.

GYROS



Gyros image

Make your own gyros meat to serve on pita bread or over basmati rice with lettuce, onions, tomatoes, tzatziki sauce, and feta.

Provided by Lan Sutton

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Ground

Time 1h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

¼ cup chopped red onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried marjoram
1 tablespoon ground dried rosemary
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound 93%-lean ground beef
1 pound ground lamb

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Process red onion in a food processor until finely minced. Scoop onion into a piece of cheesecloth and squeeze as much moisture from the onion as possible. Return onion to food processor; add garlic and process until the garlic is well integrated. Blend marjoram, rosemary, kosher salt, and black pepper into the onion mixture.
  • Gradually blend ground beef and ground lamb with the onion and seasoning mixture by alternately adding small amounts of each meat to the mixture and processing until well incorporated before adding the next batch.
  • Firmly pack the meat mixture into a loaf pan, assuring no air pockets are trapped in the meat.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 75 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 175 degrees F (80 degrees C). Drain grease and slice thinly to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 223.8 calories, Carbohydrate 1.3 g, Cholesterol 79.8 mg, Fat 14 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 21.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.7 g, Sodium 537.5 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

BEEF GYROS



Beef Gyros image

Going out to restaurants got to be expensive for our family, so I came up with this homemade beef gyro. Usually, I set out the fixings so everyone can assemble their own. My husband and our two busy teens request them often. -Sheri Scheerhorn, Hills, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 whole pita breads, warmed
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2-1/2 cups shredded lettuce

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, combine salad dressing and cucumber; set aside. In a large skillet, cook beef in oil over medium heat until no longer pink. , Layer half of each pita with steak, tomato, olives, onion, cheese, lettuce and dressing mixture. Fold each pita over filling; secure with toothpicks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 654 calories, Fat 41g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 1086mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 30g protein.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your gyro. Choose fresh, flavorful meat and vegetables, and use a good quality pita bread.
  • Season the meat well: The meat is the star of the gyro, so make sure it's well-seasoned. Use a blend of spices that you like, such as cumin, oregano, paprika, and garlic powder.
  • Cook the meat slowly: The meat should be cooked slowly over low heat so that it has a chance to develop flavor and become tender.
  • Use a good quality pita bread: The pita bread is the foundation of the gyro, so make sure it's fresh and soft. You can use store-bought pita bread or make your own.
  • Load up the toppings: Gyros are all about the toppings. Add your favorite vegetables, sauces, and cheeses.

Conclusion:

Gyros are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a snack. They're easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little planning and effort, you can make gyros that are just as good as the ones you get from your favorite Greek restaurant. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give gyros a try!

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