The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (2024)

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by Tamara J. 2 Comments

Take me to the Recipe

Experience the great taste of a gyro without leaving your home. Try this delicious homemade gyro meat recipe and serve it in a pita with tzatziki sauce. Step-by-step instructions will help you create the most delicious gyro meat in a matter of minutes!

While you are here be sure to check out Nana's Homestyle Meatloaf and these Hamburger Steaks for other great recipes using ground beef.

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (1)

Greek and Mediterranean food is one of my family's absolute favorites! It is quite pricey when you eat out though. So it is only right that we learned to enjoy things like this, and homemade hummus, to enjoy in the comfort of our home!

Jump to:
  • What is gyro meat made of?
  • Seasonings you need for this gyro recipe:
  • How is the meat cooked?
  • How to serve the gyro meat:
  • Do I have to use lamb?
  • Is gyro meat healthy?
  • How to store and reheat leftovers:
  • Other delicious recipes using ground beef:
  • 📖 Recipe

What is gyro meat made of?

Traditionally gyro meat is made with a combination of ground beef and ground lamb. These two proteins are combined with a variety of heavy spices and herb to create the most delicious and robust flavors.

The salt and spices are what give this delicacy it's traditional Greek flavors. In fact, the salt content helps the meat tighten-up during the cooking process; which creates a very dense and flavorful protein.

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (2)

Seasonings you need for this gyro recipe:

For this recipe we used:

  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried Oregano
  • Ground cumin
  • Dried thyme
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

How is the meat cooked?

This super popular Greek street food is typically cooked on a vertical spit or vertical rotisserie which spins under a heat source until cooked through. So essentially it is cooked rotisserie style.

With this method, you will mince the meat down to a very fine mixture, and then packed into a tight loaf in a loaf pan or baking dish lined with aluminum foil, and cook it in the oven. Bake it until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

You want to be sure to pack the meat into a very tight loaf to remove all of the air pockets. This ensures that it cooks into a very dense and easy to slice piece of meat.

How to serve the gyro meat:

This gyro meat is absolutely delicious by itself as a main entrée. You can serve it with a fresh salad with cucumbers and tomatoes, a or even a side of rice. Top a delicious Greek salad with this meat, and sprinkle it with feta cheese for a complete meal.

It is absolutely delicious to use as the filling for gyro sandwiches though! Add it to a fresh piece of warm pita bread, and add your favorite toppings. This tzatziki sauce is an absolute must to serve along side the meat though! Serve your gyro sandwiches with a side of roasted potatoes or French fries.

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (3)

Do I have to use lamb?

No you do not have to use the ground lamb for your gyro meat. You can absolutely substitute it with lean ground beef, ground pork, or even ground turkey or chicken if you desire.

The consistency will vary a bit depending on which protein you use. If you only want to use ground beef, that would be just as delicious. The key is to ensure the meat is minced finely, and packed tightly so you create the dense gyro meat.

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (4)

Is gyro meat healthy?

It is a great source of protein because of the beef and lamb mixture. However, both of these ground meats are very high in fat content.

With that said, it is important to enjoy this very dense and flavorful meat in moderation. Another thing to consider is that the meat is very low in carbohydrates and sugar. So it may be ideal for people eating a low carbohydrate diet.

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (5)

How to store and reheat leftovers:

After the meat is cooked, save the drippings from the dish. Then you should allow it to completely cool down. Once it has cooled down, you can store it in an air tight container, or a gallon Ziploc bag.

Place the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days. When you are ready to eat it, pan fry the slices of gyro meat in a skillet over medium high heat for about two minutes per side.

Other delicious recipes using ground beef:

Here are some more delicious recipes that use ground beef:

  • One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese
  • Cheesy Beef and Potatoes
  • Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs
  • Cheesy Baked Spaghetti
  • Beef and Cheese Chimichangas

📖 Recipe

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (6)

Yield: 6 Servings

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Experience the great taste of a gyro without leaving your home. Try this delicious homemade gyro meat recipe and serve it in a pita with tzatziki sauce. Step-by-step instructions will help you create the most delicious gyro meat in a matter of minutes!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ground lamb
  • 1 pound Ground beef
  • ½ medium Onion, roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Seasonings

  • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Ground cumin
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Use a large bowl and add the ground lamb, ground beef, onion, garlic, and olive oil. Add in all of the seasonings as well.
  3. Use a large spoon, or your hands to fully combine this mixture. Once the ingredients are combined, add the meat mixture in small batches to a food processor or a blender.
  4. Mix it up for about one to two minutes, or until the meat and all of the ingredients are finely minced. Remove it from the blender or processor and set it aside in a bowl. Continue adding the meat in batches until it is all finely minced.
  5. Place the minced meat into a 9x5 loaf pan or 9x13 baking dish. Press it together firmly to shape it into a log-like rectangular shape. Be sure to PRESS OUT ALL OF THE AIR BUBBLES.
  6. The meat mixture should be packed firm so no air bubbles remain. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The internal temperature should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Remove the gyro meat from the oven and reserve excess oil that accumulated.
  8. After the meat rests for about 10-15 minutes, slice it very thinly. Optional: fry it in the oil that you reserved prior to serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 479Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 839mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 40g

This website provides approximate nutrition information as a courtesy and for convenience only.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog and tag me in your photo on Instagram or Facebook!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. J J BROCK

    we live close to Tarpon Springs FL and the Greek Sponge Docks we know good gyro meat. This isn't even close. Mine looked like their picture but taste was way off.

    Reply

    • Tamara J.

      Oh darn, I hate to hear that my recipe didn't taste just like your favorite restaurants recipe 🙁

      Reply

The Best Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is authentic gyro meat made of? ›

In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.

What is the best cut of meat for gyros? ›

Lamb And Beef Are The Two Most Common Types Of Gyro Meat

Lamb works well for gyros because it's a naturally fatty, tender meat, and happily, the cut of lamb to use for gyros is the same regardless of whether there's a spit roaster involved: lamb shoulder.

What is the binder in gyro meat? ›

To prepare gyros is just like making a meatloaf, but with the addition of cornstarch. That might seem like a strange ingredient in this recipe, but it acts as a binder and helps the meat stay together so when you cut the loaf into thin slices, the slices are flexible and will hold together, instead of crumbling apart.

How do you keep gyro meat moist? ›

Wrap the gyro meat in foil or place it on a foil-lined baking sheet. This helps retain moisture, keeping the meat tender. If only reheating the meat, one may consider lightly brushing it with olive oil for added moisture.

How unhealthy is gyro meat? ›

Typical gyro meat contains a lot of protein, carrying around 25 grams of it in a serving. Gyros are a healthy option because they can make you feel full even when you consume a small amount. Plus, so many vitamins and minerals make gyro meat a healthy dish that is capable of maintaining the body's energy.

What is Arby's gyro meat made of? ›

Arby's gyro meat is made from a blend of seasoned beef and lamb, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors in every bite. The meat is thinly sliced and served in a warm, soft pita bread, accompanied by fresh vegetables and a creamy tzatziki sauce for an authentic Greek experience.

How is gyro meat made in Greece? ›

Currently, Greek gyro typically includes a combination of lamb, pork, or chicken that has been seasoned with oregano, garlic, and vinegar and then grilled. The pita pocket is filled with vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and lettuce and then topped with tzatziki sauce.

What is similar to gyro meat? ›

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern sandwich and is also similar to a gyro. The word “shawarma ” is derived from the Turkish word “Ö? yarmas? ,” which means “turning.” It is how you cook the meat and how you turn it over the spit. In the past, shawarma used lamb and beef.

How is gyro meat made from scratch? ›

Combine onions, lamb, beef, garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until well combined. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Why is gyro meat cooked vertically? ›

The origins of gyros can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Greece for nearly 400 years until the 19th century. During this time, the Ottoman Empire introduced the concept of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie, which was then known as "doner kebab."

Why is my gyro meat dry? ›

The result is dry, grainy, and all-around unpleasant. Finally, just like a solid piece of meat, the hotter you cook sausage, the more moisture it will expel. So for optimum juiciness, it's best to cook the gyro meat at a relatively low-temperature (say 300°F/149°C), and just until it reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.

Can you leave gyro meat out overnight? ›

Throw away all perishable foods that have been left in room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature is over 90° F, such as at an outdoor picnic during summer). Cold perishable food, such as chicken salad or a platter of deli meats, should be kept at 40° F or below.

How long can gyro meat sit out? ›

not let the food sit at room temperature for more than 15 minutes. Do not cover or stack pans of cut Gyros meat. Air must be allowed to circulate. Tightly cover the Gyros slices once they have cooled to a temperature of 40°F or less.

Is gyro meat highly processed? ›

Contrary to popular belief, authentic Greek gyros are NOT processed meat. Traditionally, gyros are made from slices of marinated chicken, or lamb, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-cooked to perfection.

Is gyro meat a processed food? ›

processed meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie (The.

Is gyro pure meat? ›

Gyros are often a lamb/beef mixture that has been pureed with a blend of spices, most significantly garlic and marjoram. And a ton of salt. Obviously gyros taste more like lamb chops than, say, grapes. But I wouldn't say gyros “taste like” lamb chops.

What part of lamb is used for gyros? ›

In my opinion, lamb shoulder is the best cut of meat for Gyros however you do need to trim it right so you don't end up with a mouthful of fat in your souvlaki.

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