Gyros (Γύρος - Home Oven Style)
Prep time: 25 minutes (plus 4 hours chilling)
Cook time: 45 minutes
Total time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Country of Origin
Greece
Description
Seasoned ground pork or lamb compacted into a loaf, slow-roasted, and shaved thin to mimic the texture and savory flavor of traditional vertical rotisserie gyros.
Presentation & How It's Eaten
Thinly shaved meat piled onto warm pita bread, topped with sliced tomatoes, raw onions, french fries, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, rolled tightly in foil.
Ingredients
500g (1.1 lbs) ground pork
500g (1.1 lbs) ground lamb
1 small onion, grated and squeezed dry
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp dried marjoram
1.5 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Warm pita breads, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and tzatziki for serving
Step-by-Step Directions
Process Meat Paste: Place ground meats, squeezed onion, garlic, and spices in a food processor. Process for 2 minutes until meat becomes a uniform, paste-like mixture.
Form Loaf: Pack meat tightly into a parchment-lined 9x5-inch loaf pan, pressing out any air pockets. Chill in refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
Bake Loaf: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 45–50 minutes until firm and cooked through. Drain accumulated fat and let cool 10 minutes.
Shave & Crisp: Remove loaf from pan and slice as thin as possible using a sharp chef's knife. Sear shaved meat in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes to crisp edges.
Assemble: Load warm pita breads with crispy gyro meat, tzatziki, tomatoes, red onions, and fries. Wrap and serve immediately.
Cooking Tips
Food Processor Step: Blending the meat in a food processor breaks down muscle fibers into a emulsified paste, producing the signature dense texture of gyro meat.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated per serving, meat and pita only)
Calories: ~520 kcal
Total Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Sodium: ~980mg
Total Carbohydrates: 34g
Dietary Fiber: 2g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 32g
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