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Greek Gyro with Homemade Gyro Meat

Homemade gyros made with spiced ground beef and lamb patties, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings wrapped in warm pita bread. Bold Greek flavors ready in 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Greek
Calories: 718
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground lamb
  • 2 tbsp bacon grease or butter helps keep lamb moist during baking
  • 2 large eggs
  • 0.5 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 6 cloves garlic smashed and finely minced
  • 4 tsp kosher salt use 3 tsp if substituting table salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tsp dried cumin
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram optional
  • 1 batch Tzatziki Sauce make ahead and refrigerate
  • 1 large red onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tomatoes sliced (use 2 to 4)
  • 1 cucumber sliced (use 1 to 2)
  • 8 pita rounds warmed before serving (use 8 to 10)
  • fresh dill to garnish, optional

Equipment

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

Method
 

  1. Make the Tzatziki Sauce first and refrigerate for at least 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or greased foil.
  3. Finely chop the onion and garlic using a food processor or knife.
  4. In a large bowl, combine all gyro meat ingredients: ground beef, ground lamb, bacon grease or butter, eggs, milk, lemon juice, Panko crumbs, onion, garlic, and all seasonings. Mix with your hands just until combined. Do not over-mix.
  5. Shape the mixture into about 10 oval patties and arrange on the prepared baking sheet without touching.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 to 20 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees F. Remove from oven and keep warm.
  7. While the meat bakes, slice the red onion, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Warm pita rounds in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or in the oven for a few minutes.
  8. To assemble: spread tzatziki on a warm pita. Slice a gyro patty in half lengthwise and place on top. Add red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use kosher salt, not table salt. If using table salt, reduce to 3 tsp. Bacon grease or butter keeps the lean lamb moist. Gyro meat can be stored in the fridge for 2 to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 325 degree F oven for best results. Tzatziki can be made up to 2 weeks ahead.