Gyros. The very word makes my mouth water.
We have had a long relationship together and I attribute that relationship to my freshman thirty in college.
I will choose a gyro over a burger any day of the week.
I have mapped out the gyro joint at almost every airport so I can indulge in one…at six in the morning or ten at night.
There seems to never be an inappropriate time for gyro eating.
Gyros are one of my favorite indulgences.
When my parents visited me at college, I did not remark on how I was doing in my classes, but instead introduced them to the power of the gyros at a local Greek restaurant that I ate at weekly on campus. Gyros are way more exciting than coursework.
I had never thought to make my gyros at home, but I have found a recipe that almost replicates my favorite food indulgence with a little ground beef on the grill. The trick to these is to allow the meat to rest for ten minutes and then cutting the meat thinly, to replicate the shaved meat goodness that makes the gyros so delicious. A good gyro has a great sauce and this one does not disappoint. Light, refreshing, and full of cucumber flavor, it rounds out the gyro with plenty of cool flavor.
Wrapped in a bread machine pita, this meal is not only homemade goodness at its very best, but it just so happens to be a frugal weeknight meal that your entire family will love. Serve as a traditional gyro or make a gyro pizza for another spin on a fun Greek classic. I hope you will enjoy them half as much as we did!
This lightened up version is something you can enjoy, relatively guilt-free, and is a fun new way to use your grill this summer. Happy gyro, eating!
- 1 (8 ounce) container plain yogurt
- ⅓ cup chopped seeded cucumber
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions (I did omit since we don’t like onions)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Filling: 1 lb lean ground beef (or you can use ground turkey)
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon pepper
- 4 pita breads (store-bought or you can try my easy bread machine pita)
- 3 cups shredded lettuce
- large tomato, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients.
- Cover and refrigerate. In separate bowl, combine ground beef and seasonings. Mix well.
- Shape into 4 patties.
- Grill, covered, over medium to high heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, turning once.
- Cut patties into thin slices.
- Stuff into pitas. Add lettuce, tomato, and onion.
- Serve with yogurt sauce.
To me, gyros are great except for the empty calories in the bread.
So…I always have mine minus that. Heavy on the yogurt though!
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Amy Reply:
June 6th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Those homemade pitas are worth the calories, but I agree, the yogurt sauce is the best part
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I love gyros! I’ve never attempted them before, but I can’t wait to try these.
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Amy Reply:
June 6th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
I hope you love them as much as we did! I can’t wait to make them again!!
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You are a rockstar! Can’t wait to give it a spin and revel in the delicious memories! x
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Amy Reply:
June 6th, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Oh my goodness, Soph! Was getting ready to message you about our days at the Greek joint at Purdue. Eating this made me miss you all over again! Who could forget our days at the Parthenon? I love you and miss you!!
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Ashley Reply:
February 28th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Wow! I just found this blog and love love love gyros too, then I see your a purdue alumni as well! How freaking awesome!!
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Amy Reply:
March 1st, 2013 at 11:18 am
So awesome, Ashley!! My hubby and I both attended Purdue and I do miss my gyros out that way
I hope you can try the recipe and thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the internet! xo
What a way to start and finish a Monday!
Start, by checking out this recipe.
Finish, by cooking this recipe.
An old girlfriend and I used to go out every week for these, until money got tight. I think I’ll surprise her with an impromptu girl’s night full of delicious food, memories and chat. Thanks so much! I always look forward to your recipes on Monday mornings.
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Amy Reply:
June 6th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Gyros are always so much better with girlfriends. You brought a tear to my eye. This was what I always ate with my best friend and college roomie. I hope you have a wonderful evening and thanks for the sweet comment!!
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Mmmm!! Bookmarking.
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Don’t forget the feta!
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My husband loves gyros! I’ll have to try these and surprise him sometime.
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You know, I’ve never had a gyro! This looks delicious!
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Making these, and the pitas, tonight! Can’t wait!!
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I have been looking for new summer recipes, so I’ll have to add this to the list. I can’t wait to try the yogurt sauce!
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Amy Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Mmmm…I hope you like them, Amy! I really can’t wait to make them again over here! I have a serious gyro addiction
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WHOA! Did you look at my menu for this week? I have ground beef gyros on for tomorrow night! That’s crazy. I was just going to use tortillas but I may have to try your pita recipe (I don’t have a bread machine though, so we’ll see!). I’m going to compare your gyro recipe with mine and see how it compares.
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Amy Reply:
June 7th, 2011 at 11:12 am
Wow! How funny is that? Great minds must think alike this week!
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Ali Federwitz Reply:
June 10th, 2011 at 7:51 pm
My recipe was exactly the same as yours! They were delicious and will now be showing up in our meal rotation on a regular basis. Now I’ll just have to try making my own pitas. They were good with tortillas, though. A little messy, but good.
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I’ve never tried gyros at home because lamb is so expensive. But this replicates the taste of lamb well enough? I think I may put it on our menu for next week!
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Made these tonight, with the pitas. I used ground chicken. They were AWESOME. I can’t wait to make them again!!
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Amy Reply:
January 23rd, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Oh, I am so glad that your family liked these, Rachel! They are such a hit around here and I am always so happy to see that the recipes are being enjoyed at someone else’s table!
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This is a great recipe. Second time I’ve made them with 1/2 beef and 1/2 lamb.
Terrifically tasty and simple to prepare. Thumbs up!
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