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How To Make Gyros | A Greek-American Fusion

Gyros are a traditional Greek dish made of lamb, pork or chicken. The meat is cooked on a vertical skewer which is shaved off and eaten on a pita flatbread and garnished with tomatoes and tzatziki sauce. This recipe is easy thanks to the invention known as the slow cooker.

Gyro ingredients on a table.

What is a Gyro?

Gyro in Greek means ‘turn’ and is therefore the name adopted for the Greek-inspired sandwich where the meat is ‘turned’ on a rotisserie.  I have always made it with a leg of lamb roasted in the oven but original Greek recipes usually use pork or chicken.  It is adapted from the ‘Doner Kebab’, which is the Turkish name for Gyro.  Gyros are typically served with tomatoes and a yogurt sauce on a flatbread such as pita or naan.  The yogurt sauce is called Tzatziki and is very similar to the Indian yogurt sauce known as Raita.  The Doner Kebab also shows up in the Middle East as a ‘Shawarma’ and in Mexico as ‘Tacos al Pator’, influenced by the Lebanese immigrants to Mexico.  As  in the U.S., Tacos al Pastor caught on quick, can’t keep a good recipe down.

I used to make this in the oven but have since found the slow cooker version superior.  The meat tenderizes mush more in the slow cooker and the meat retains its moisture.  I use either oregano or rosemary for my Gyro seasoning along with garlic, salt and pepper.  I use a lot so whichever herb I have the most of is what I usually use.  Simply put all of the gyro ingredients in a slow cooker, shred and serve with flatbread, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce.  If you want even more layers of flavor, add feta cheese and sliced red onions.

Gyro ingredients in a slow cooker.
Gyro ingredients on a table.

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How To Make Gyros

Yield: 12 Gyros
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes

Gyros are a traditional Greek dish made of lamb, pork or chicken. The meat is cooked on a vertical skewer which is shaved off and eaten on a pita flatbread and garnished with tomatoes and tzatziki sauce. This recipe is easy thanks to the invention known as the slow cooker.

Ingredients

  • 1 leg of lamb
  • 1 head of garlic, cloves peeled
  • 1 cup of chopped, fresh rosemary or organo
  • drizzle of olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 12 pitas
  • 4 roma tomatoes chopped or a can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 recipe of Tzatziki Sauce

Instructions

  1. Place first 6 ingredients in a crockpot.
  2. Cook on low 5-7 hours or on high 3-4 hrs.
  3. In crockpot, shred meat with 2 forks.
  4. Serve lamb on warmed pitas, sprinkle with tomatoes and dollop Tzatziki sauce on top.

Notes

  • A 4 lb leg of lamb yields about 12 servings.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 Gyro
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 408Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 734mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g

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Bianca

Tuesday 29th of October 2019

I made this in a crockpot and it was so easy. I love this recipe, going to make it again. I made it on a Saturday and now I have dinner for the week. Thanks!

electricscootershq.org

Sunday 26th of February 2017

The acidity from the yogurt and lemon juice really help to make a tender cut like pork tenderloin even more perfect. With the addition of some herbs and the overnight marinade, this meat will take on all the traditional flavors that you’ve come to love from a traditional gyro.

Tina

Sunday 26th of February 2017

I agree! Next time I will try an overnight marinade, thanks!

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