The gyro (pronounced GEE-row) is a classic Greek dish, with the meat traditionally cooked on a vertical spit and shaved off in individual servings. While this delicious method for preparing meat is often used in Greek restaurants, it's not easy to accomplish at home. This Greek-American take on the dish uses ground lamb or beef and is quick and easy to make in a home kitchen.
![Gyros rolled-up in flatbread with lettuce; bottom half of sandwich wrapped in paper](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/BGM8U5ThxPH_Z80fqssbZqojeB8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gyros-a-greek-classic-912899-hero-01-6aabc80d1fb9440d85c51dd0b2fb9d50.jpg)
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Gyros Anytime
Gyros are a delicious sandwich for lunch or dinner, with spiced, grilled meat topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a flavorful tzatziki sauce. You can find tzatziki in the refrigerated condiment section of the grocery store or make your own using Greek yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, and fresh dill.
Marinate the Meat
For best results, let the uncooked meat mixture marinate for an hour before grilling or pan-frying. The flavors marry for a better-tasting sandwich. A charcoal or gas grill will add a nice smokey flavor, but a hot grill pan or a skillet will work just fine.
Tips for the Best Gyro Sandwiches
- Extra napkins—Gyros are messy to eat. You can help curb the mess by wrapping each gyro in foil.
- Extra oil—If you're worried about the meat sticking to the grill, brush the patties with oil before cooking.
- A Side of Fries—These gyros make a great hearty meal all on their own, but if you want to round out the dish, a side of fries is a welcome addition.
"The meat patties for the gyros were full of flavor, and the recipe was very easy to follow and prepare. We loved the spiciness of the meat, and the tzatziki balanced the flavors perfectly. Using ground beef in the gyros made it an economical meal as well." —Diana Rattray
![Easy Homemade Gyros Tester Image](https://www.thespruceeats.com/thmb/M1Feeys4vQxleOy9tmMs-mevj7U=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gyros-a-greek-classic-912899-d-rattray-20201-d61fe8a9762349bd99779ecbefb3c3ef.jpg)
Ingredients
For the Meat Mixture:
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1 pound ground lamb, or beef
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2 teaspoons fine salt, or to taste
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1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
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1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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2 large cloves garlic, minced
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1/4 cup minced red onion
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2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
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Oil, as needed
For the Sandwich:
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4 rounds flatbread, or pita
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4 leaves lettuce
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1 medium tomato, sliced or diced
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1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup homemade or store-bought tzatziki
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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To make the meat mixture, combine 1 pound ground lamb, or beef, 2 teaspoons fine salt (or to taste), 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 large cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup minced red onion, and 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice in a large bowl.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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Divide into four equal portions and shape into oblong patties about 3-inch wide by 6-inch long by 1/2-inch thick. Notice that the patty is shaped like a sausage (long and thin), then flattened. This is to ensure the patty fits into the flatbread. Refrigerate for one hour.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Alternatively, heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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If grilling, brush the grill or grill pan generously with oil. If pan-frying, add 2 tablespoons of oil to the pan. Grill or pan-fry the patties until cooked through with crispy edges, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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To assemble the sandwiches, generously spread tzatziki in the center of 4 rounds flatbread or in the pocket of the pita.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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Add 1 lettuce leaf, some sliced tomato, and a few thin onion slices to each flatbread or pita.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
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Add the patty and fold the bread over the meat. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve and enjoy.
The Spruce Eats / Ahlam Raffii
Feeling Adventurous? Try This:
- Swap the meat—Ground pork can also be used instead of lamb or beef.
- Cheese, please—Add crumbled feta cheese for extra richness.
- Spice-it-up—Add coarsely chopped jarred hot cherry peppers to spice things up.
How to Store and Reheat
Store any leftover gyro refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Remove the lettuce and reheat in a lightly oiled nonstick skillet until warmed through. Add more fresh lettuce before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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838 | Calories |
44g | Fat |
70g | Carbs |
40g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 838 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 44g | 56% |
Saturated Fat 11g | 55% |
Cholesterol 111mg | 37% |
Sodium 1331mg | 58% |
Total Carbohydrate 70g | 25% |
Dietary Fiber 5g | 19% |
Total Sugars 7g | |
Protein 40g | |
Vitamin C 25mg | 123% |
Calcium 174mg | 13% |
Iron 6mg | 35% |
Potassium 1009mg | 21% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |