Healthy Dish

Traditional Gyros

Time

195 min

Serving

12 persons

Calories

425

Rating

4.00 (30)

Author: Victoria Bailey

You have to try this classic gyro sandwich. I absolutely love being able to make my own gyros at home!

Ingredients

onion, cut into chunks: 1 small
ground lamb: 1 pound
ground beef: 1 pound
minced garlic: 1 Tbsp
dried oregano: 1 tsp
ground cumin: 1 tsp
dried marjoram: 1 tsp
dried thyme: 1 tsp
dried rosemary: 1 tsp
freshly ground black pepper: 1 tsp
sea salt: 0.25 tsp
hummus: 12 Tbsp
pita bread rounds: 12 piece
lettuce, shredded: 1 small head
tomato, sliced: 1 piece
red onion, sliced: 1 piece
crumbled feta cheese: 6 ounces
tzatziki sauce: 24 Tbsp

Metric Conversion

Stages of cooking

Place onion in a food processor and finely chop. Transfer onion to a piece of cheesecloth and squeeze out the liquid. Place onion in a large bowl.
Mix lamb, beef, garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, and salt with the onion using your hands until well mixed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors blend, about 2 hours.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Place meat mixture in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped and tacky, about 1 minute. Pack meat mixture into a 7x4-inch loaf pan, ensuring there are no air pockets. Place the loaf pan into a roasting pan and pour enough boiling water around the loaf pan to reach halfway up the sides for a water bath.
Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, 45 to 60 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Pour off any accumulated fat and cool slightly.
Thinly slice the cooked gyro meat loaf.
Spread 1 tablespoon hummus onto each pita bread. Then top each with some of the gyro meat slices, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, red onion slices, feta cheese crumbles, and 2 tablespoons tzatziki sauce to complete each sandwich.

History of the Traditional Gyros:

Traditional gyro is a popular Greek street food dating back centuries. The dish is composed of thinly sliced meat which is usually lamb, beef or chicken, and is often served with a variety of toppings. It is typically served wrapped in a soft pita bread, topped with Tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomato, and onions.

Tips and Tricks for Traditional Gyros Recipe:

Making gyros at home is much easier than you might think. Here are some tips and tricks that will ensure that your gyros are delicious every time:

Make sure to finely chop the onions and squeeze out the liquid. This will help the meat mixture hold its shape when cooked.
Use both ground lamb and beef for the best flavor and texture.
Refrigerate the mixture for two hours before cooking to allow the flavors to blend.
Use a water bath when baking the meat loaf to ensure that it cooks evenly and stays moist.

Tips for presenting the dish:

Gyros are typically served wrapped in a soft pita bread with a variety of toppings. Here are some tips for presenting the dish so that it looks as delicious as it tastes:

Use a large platter or board to arrange the pita breads, meat slices, and toppings.
Place the Tzatziki sauce in a bowl alongside the other toppings.
Encourage your guests to assemble their own gyros by placing the meat and toppings on top of the pita bread and then drizzling with the Tzatziki sauce.
Serve with a side of Greek salad or fries to complete the meal.

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