Homemade Greek Gyros
Enjoy the authentic taste of street-style Greek gyros right in your kitchen with perfectly seasoned, tender strips of beef and lamb.
Ingredients
- •1 lb (450g) ground beef
- •1 lb (450g) ground lamb
- •1 small yellow onion, finely grated
- •3 cloves garlic, minced
- •1 tablespoon dried oregano
- •1 teaspoon ground cumin
- •1 teaspoon ground coriander
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •4 pita breads
- •2 tomatoes, diced
- •1 red onion, thinly sliced
- •1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- •1 cup pareve tahini sauce (tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and water)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 2
In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, ground lamb, grated onion, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Knead the mixture thoroughly by hand for 3-5 minutes until it becomes very smooth and slightly tacky.
- 3
Place the meat mixture into a food processor and pulse until it reaches a fine, paste-like consistency.
- 4
Press the meat mixture firmly into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan, ensuring there are no air pockets.
- 5
Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 6
Remove from the oven, drain any excess fat, and let the meat rest for 15 minutes. Weigh it down with a heavy object if possible to compress the texture.
- 7
Once rested, thinly slice the meat into strips.
- 8
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the meat strips for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy and browned.
- 9
Serve the crispy meat inside warm pita breads, topped with diced tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh parsley, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce.
💡 Chef tips
- For the best texture, use a food processor to blend the meat into a fine paste; this mimics the traditional rotisserie structure.
- You can prepare the meat loaf a day in advance, slice it, and keep it in the fridge, searing only what you need for each meal.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, mix tahini with a little extra lemon juice and cold water until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished gyros feature crispy, savory, and aromatic meat strips served in soft pita, offering a perfect balance of charred edges, fresh vegetables, and nutty tahini.