homemade gyros

Ingredients for Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat

Gathering the right mix of spices is the secret here. I always use a blend of dried oregano and cumin to get that authentic flavor at home.

• 1 pound ground beef (I recommend using slightly higher fat content)
• 1 pound ground lamb (My preference is fresh from the butcher)
• 2 tablespoons bacon grease or butter
• 2 large eggs
• half a cup milk
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs (In my experience, Panko keeps it lighter)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• half a teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
• Pita rounds, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers (I usually prep these first)

Step-by-Step Instructions

I recommend mixing the meat with your hands to keep the texture tender and avoid tough patties.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks.

Step 2: Finely chop the onion and garlic, then add them to a large bowl with the beef, lamb, eggs, milk, lemon juice, crumbs, and all spices.

Step 3: Mix gently with your hands and form into 10 oval patties. Space them out on the baking sheet so they do not touch.

Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F and the outside is lightly browned.

Step 5: Warm your pita bread, then build your gyros with sauce, a sliced patty, and your favorite fresh toppings.

What to Serve with Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat

These savory meat patties need bright sides to balance the rich flavors. Here are the best sides for homemade gyros recipe meals.

Greek Chicken Gyros: If you love this flavor but want a poultry alternative, my other chicken version is a huge hit with the kids.

Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki: These bring the same amazing tzatziki sauce and Mediterranean vibes to your plate for a fun twist.

Sheet Pan Chicken Pitas: Another quick pita sandwich option for those nights you want something similar but even faster to prep.

Cheesy Mediterranean Quesadilla: A fun fusion side that pairs beautifully with these rich savory flavors and adds great texture.

Crispy Gnocchi with Spinach and Feta: The feta cheese in this side dish matches the Greek flavor profile perfectly while adding a crispy bite.

Ground Beef Orzo Recipe: A comforting pasta side dish if you want to keep the ground beef theme going on the dinner table.

Loaded Beef Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta: Since you already have ground beef out, this makes a great meal prep option for the next day.

Storage and Serving Tips

Store leftover cooked meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze the cooked patties for three months.

I recommend slicing the patties before freezing so you can pull out exactly what you need for a quick lunch. Reheat gently in the oven until warmed through.

This meat is also great crumbled over a salad if you run out of pita bread. It makes meal prep incredibly simple for busy weeknights.

FAQs

Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat

A simple homemade gyros recipe using ground beef and lamb baked into flavorful patties, served in pita with fresh toppings.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8 portions

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Greek

Calories: 718

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground lamb
• 2 tablespoons bacon grease or butter
• 2 large eggs
• 0.5 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
• 0.5 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 tomatoes sliced
• 1 cucumbers sliced
• 8 pita rounds

Equipment

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Large mixing bowl
• Food processor (optional)

Method

 

1. Start by making the Tzatziki Sauce so it has time to marinate in the fridge.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil sprayed with nonstick spray.
3. Use a food processor or knife to finely chop the onion and garlic.
4. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground lamb, butter or bacon grease, eggs, milk, lemon juice, Panko crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, oregano, rosemary, thyme, cumin, and marjoram.
5. Combine the meat mixture using your hands until just combined to keep it tender.
6. Shape the meat into about 10 oval patties and place them on the baking sheet without touching.
7. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degrees F.
8. Warm the pita bread, then add Tzatziki Sauce, a sliced gyro patty, red onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers to serve.

Notes

If you only have table salt, use 3 teaspoons instead of 4. You can skip the bacon grease or butter if using high fat ground beef.