why make this recipe
Making Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat at home is a fun and rewarding experience. You get to enjoy fresh flavors and customize your gyro to fit your tastes. The combination of tender meat, creamy Tzatziki sauce, and crunchy vegetables wrapped in warm pita is simply irresistible. Plus, it’s a great way to impress your family and friends with a delicious homemade meal.
how to make Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat
Ingredients:
- 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 (yes, 4 teaspoons)
- 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)
- 1 batch Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 large red onion (sliced thin)
- 2-4 tomatoes (sliced)
- 1-2 cucumbers (sliced)
- 8-10 pita rounds
- Fresh dill (to garnish, optional)
Directions:
- Start by making the Tzatziki Sauce. It needs time to marinate, so do this first and let it sit in the fridge while you prepare the rest.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- If you have a food processor, finely chop the onion and garlic. If not, chop them by hand.
- In a large bowl, mix all the gyro meat ingredients: ground beef, ground lamb, bacon grease (or butter), eggs, milk, lemon juice, Panko crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, and marjoram (if using).
- Use your hands to combine the meat. Wearing disposable gloves can make this easier. Mixing by hand helps create tender meat.
- Shape the mixture into about 10 oval patties and place them on the lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the oven and keep warm.
- Prepare the toppings: thinly slice the red onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Warm the pita bread in the microwave or the still-warm oven. Chop extra fresh dill if desired.
- To assemble your gyro: Spread a layer of Tzatziki Sauce on a warm pita. Slice a gyro patty in half lengthwise for easier handling and place it on top of the sauce. Garnish with red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Enjoy!
- Gyros are often served with French fries or you can pair them with roasted potatoes or a Greek salad.
how to serve Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat
Serve your gyros warm, filled with the delicious homemade meat, Tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables. They are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a fun gathering where everyone can build their own gyros.
how to store Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat
You can store any leftover gyro meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The Tzatziki sauce can also be stored in the fridge for about a week. Reheat the meat in the oven or microwave before serving again.
tips to make Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Don’t skip the Tzatziki sauce—it adds a lot to the final dish.
- Mix the gyro meat gently to avoid tough patties.
- You can add more spices according to your preference.
variation
You can customize your gyros by adding different toppings like feta cheese, olives, or even hot sauce for some heat. You can also swap out the meat for chicken or even a vegetarian option with grilled veggies.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken instead of beef and lamb?
Yes, you can use ground chicken or turkey to make a lighter version of gyros.
2. How long will the gyro meat last in the fridge?
The cooked gyro meat should be eaten within 3 days when stored properly in an airtight container.
3. Can I freeze the gyro meat?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked gyro meat for up to 2 months. Just make sure it’s fully cooled and then place it in a freezer-safe container.
4. What can I serve with gyros?
Gyros are great with French fries, roasted potatoes, or a fresh Greek salad.
5. Is Tzatziki sauce necessary?
While Tzatziki sauce is traditional, you can substitute it with a yogurt-based sauce or even skip it if you prefer a different dressing.
Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat
Ingredients
Method
- Start by making the Tzatziki Sauce, as it needs time to marinate. Let it sit in the fridge while you prepare the rest.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray with nonstick spray.
- Finely chop the onion and garlic using a food processor or chop them by hand.
- In a large bowl, mix all the gyro meat ingredients: ground beef, ground lamb, bacon grease (or butter), eggs, milk, lemon juice, Panko crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, and marjoram (if using).
- Use your hands to combine the meat. Wearing disposable gloves can make this easier.
- Shape the mixture into about 10 oval patties and place them on the lined baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the oven and keep warm.
- Prepare the toppings: thinly slice the red onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Warm the pita bread in the microwave or the still-warm oven.
- To assemble your gyro, spread a layer of Tzatziki Sauce on a warm pita. Slice a gyro patty in half lengthwise for easier handling and place it on top of the sauce.
- Garnish with red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Enjoy!