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Classic Greek Gyros Recipe Easy Homemade Gyros Perfect for Dinner

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This classic Greek gyro recipe features marinated pork or chicken, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, and warm pita bread for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds (680g) boneless pork shoulder or chicken thighs, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup (240ml) Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • ½ cucumber, finely grated and drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1–2 medium tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves or baby spinach
  • Optional: crumbled feta cheese or sliced olives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Marinade: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk well to blend. Add thinly sliced pork or chicken pieces, toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Make the Tzatziki Sauce: Grate cucumber finely and drain thoroughly. In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For smoother texture, pulse briefly in a blender or food processor. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Prepare the Vegetables and Pita: Slice red onion and tomatoes thinly. Wash and dry lettuce or spinach leaves. Warm pita breads in a dry skillet for 30 seconds each side, wrapped in foil in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes, or on a grill.
  4. Cook the Meat: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated meat in a single layer (cook in batches if needed). Cook 3-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through with a nice char. Remove from heat and let rest.
  5. Assemble the Gyros: Place warm pita breads on plates. Spoon cooked meat onto each pita, add sliced onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Dollop with tzatziki sauce and garnish with feta cheese or olives if desired. Fold pita around fillings and serve immediately.

Notes

Marinate meat at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor. Drain grated cucumber thoroughly to avoid watery tzatziki. Use a sharp knife to slice meat thinly against the grain. Warm pita before assembling to prevent cracking. For gluten-free, substitute pita with gluten-free wraps or lettuce leaves. For dairy-free tzatziki, use coconut yogurt but expect different flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek gyros, homemade gyros, tzatziki sauce, pork gyros, chicken gyros, Mediterranean recipe, easy dinner, Greek street food

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/classic-greek-gyros-recipe-easy-homemade-gyros-perfect-for-dinner/