Gyros are hands down one of my favorite Mediterranean meals. You might think that you need fancy equipment to make them, but you don’t. I took what I learned working at a Greek restaurant, applied a method anyone can do in their home kitchen, and here it is: the ultimate guide on how to make gyros at home, using simple ingredients and no special tools. This beef and lamb gyro meat recipe is aromatic, juicy on the inside, and crispy on the outside. It makes perfect homemade gyro wraps. If you love Mediterranean flavors and Greek recipes, you’ll also want to try Gemista (Greek stuffed tomatoes), Horiatiki (traditional Greek salad), Greek salad dressing, grilled lamb kofta, and of course, tzatziki sauce.
What Is Gyro Meat?
Gyro meat is a dense combination of ground meat, spices, salt, and herbs, traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie. But as you’ll see in this easy homemade gyro recipe, you can make it in a loaf pan in your oven and then pan fry the slices to achieve the same effect without a rotisserie.
What is gyro meat made of?
In Greece, gyros are often made out of pork, but in the United States, there are many traditional gyro meat recipes (like this one!) that are made from a combination of lamb and beef.
Gyro Meat Ingredients
Gyro meat ingredients are very basic and simple to find at any grocery store:
Onion – I recommend using a white onion, but yellow or red will also work. Garlic – Fresh has the most potent flavor, but jarred works for convenience. Ground meat – The most common combo in the United States, and in this gyro meat recipe, is a blend of ground lamb and beef. Pork would work as well, and is common in Greece. Dried herbs – We’re using a blend of oregano, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary. Cumin Sea salt & black pepper
How To Make Gyro Meat
Let me show you how to make this easy gyro meat recipe:
Puree aromatics. Puree the garlic and onion in a food processor, scraping down the sides as necessary, until a smooth paste forms.
Strain. Transfer the onion mixture to a towel, twist both ends, and squeeze to release as much liquid as you can. Discard the liquid and add the onion mixture back to food processor.
Process meat. Add lamb, beef, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, cumin, salt, and pepper. Puree until smooth like a paste, scraping down sides as necessary.
Bake gyro meat. Transfer the meat to a lined loaf pan and press down to compact as much as possible. Bake until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Drain fat, tent with foil, and let rest.
Chill, then slice. Remove from pan and cool completely, then chill. (This will help make the slices thinner.) Once it’s cold, slice the gyro meatloaf thinly.
Brown. Sear in a nonstick skillet on both sides until browned.
TIP: You can fry on a dry skillet or add a little oil, depending on how you like your gyro meat.
The Best Gyro Toppings
The best gyro meat needs the best toppings! Here are some ideas for what to put in your gyro wraps:
Pita bread. Of course, the best way to serve gyros is in a wrap! You can buy pre-made pita for conventional diets, or for my keto fans, I have a low carb version coming soon (pictured in this post)! Sliced red onions. Thinly slice red onions. If they are too strong, soak them in cold water for a few minutes to take away some of the bite. Sliced cucumber. Thinly slice cucumber or cut into half moon shapes. Tomatoes. Roma tomato wedges work well, or cut cherry tomatoes in half. Lettuce. Use a crunchy lettuce like romaine or iceberg. Slice thinly. Feta cheese. Optional, but a great way to add some extra flavor. Tzatziki sauce. It’s so easy to make your own homemade tzatziki sauce and better than anything you can buy! Pepperoncini. If you want to add a bit of spice, add some sliced pepperoncinis.
How To Make Gyros
Once your lamb gyro meat is ready, here is how to assemble your gyro wraps:
Cut a square of parchment paper, about double the size of your pita bread. Place the pita bread on the edge of the parchment, with the edge of the pita off the edge on the top. Spread tzatziki sauce all over the pita. Add gyro meat and toppings. Arrange the gyros and toppings in a line in the center of the pita, top to bottom. (See above for a list of ideas for what to put in your gyros!) Fold. Fold the gyro in half together with the parchment, parallel to the line of toppings. Wrap the parchment over the pita on the left side, then the right (or the other way around). You can form a cone shape at the bottom, or just fold the bottom underneath. Tuck. Tuck the outer edge of the parchment paper underneath one of the folds to secure.
You can also turn gyros into a salad by serving the beef and lamb gyro meat over a bed of lettuce. You can use tzatziki as the dressing, or add Greek salad dressing.
Gyro Meat Nutrition
Is gyro meat healthy?
Yes, this is a healthy blend of lamb and beef, that’s seasoned with spices and aromatics like onion and garlic.
How many calories in gyro meat?
The calories in gyro meat will vary a bit based on the recipe, but each serving of this lamb gyro recipe has 353 calories. The full nutrition stats can be found below.
How many carbs in gyro meat?
Each serving of this lamb gyro meat recipe has just 1.9 grams net carbs.
Can you use only lamb or only beef?
Yes, you can use all of one meat or the other, but it won’t have the same classic gyro flavor. Don’t worry, it will still be delicious!
How do you make gyros on a rotisserie?
If you are lucky enough to have a rotisserie, you can shape the meat around the rotisserie instead of putting it into the loaf pan.
What sauce is on a gyro?
Most gyro sandwiches are served with tzatziki sauce.
Storage Instructions
This lamb gyro recipe is the perfect make-ahead meal, as you can cook the gyro meat completely, then pan fry the slices when you’re ready to eat. Store the gyro meat in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can you freeze gyros?
Yes, you can freeze the gyro meat for 2-3 months. I would recommend slicing it before you freeze it, then you can take out as much as you need.
How to reheat gyros:
Pan fry the sliced gyros, then build your sandwich. While the first time browning can be with or without oil, I recommend frying the gyros with oil for reheating, to avoid drying out.
What To Serve With Gyros
Gyros don’t necessarily need a side if you have the gyro meat, pita bread, and veggie fillings. But if you want something to serve with them, these sides go well:
Salads – Greek salad, Israeli salad, or cauliflower tabbouleh all pair well with the gyros. Vegetables – Keep it simple with roasted broccoli, sauteed zucchini, or roasted eggplant. Potatoes – French fries are common when gyros are served as street food. I prefer healthier rutabaga fries.
Food Processor – Using a food processor to make the lamb gyro meat makes the process super simple! Loaf Pan – Instead of a rotisserie, we’re baking the gyro meat into a loaf shape. This pan is the perfect size. Nonstick Skillet – For frying the gyro slices. This one heats very evenly.
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