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Easy Greek-Style Gyros

March 19, 2025

Say “hello” to my Easy Greek-Style Gyros: a modern, protein-packed take on the traditional Greek gyros. They come together with tender, homemade gyro meat that practically melts-in-your-mouth, a high-protein tzatziki that is perfectly creamy, all atop a fluffy pita bread. When you’re looking for the perfect family-friendly meal that is better than takeout, this recipe is sure to impress!

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Friends, can I let you in on a secret? My obsession lately has been re-creating my favorite takout meals from scratch. Not only are restaurant prices outrageous nowadays (thanks to the rising cost of food and well… everything else). But also, we all know that eating at-home can be healtheir. Why is that? Well, when you eat (and cook) at-home, you’re able to control exactly what ingredients you’re using, which means you can make better-for-you swaps that make a small impact on flavor while making a huge impage on your nutrition. Like, for example, with this recipe!

These gyros are an easy, homemade twist on the classic Greek-style recipe that also happens to be high in protein. Not only do you get the hearty protein from the DIY Gyro Meat (which is so easy to make!) but also from the homemade tzatziki. While traditional tzatziki is made from conventional yogurt, the swap of greek yogurt not only gives this tzatziki a rich and creamy texture, but it also gives it a boost of protein. If you’ve been to my blog before, then you may know that protein is the one macronutrient that I definitey prioritize. It helps you build muscles while also staying fuller, longer. What could be better than that?

I can think of one thing: this recipe. The combination of the warm and fluffy pita bread, topped with tender slices of gyro meat and dollops of creamy tzatziki, is one that the whole family is sure to enjoy. This is my family’s new favorite weeknight dinner recipe, and I know it’ll be yours, too!

A flatlay of Mediterranean ingredients: pita bread, sliced meat, tzatziki sauce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, coriander, spices, garlic, feta cheese, mint, and lemon juice on a textured surface with a knife and cutting board. — To make this recipe, you’ll need ground beef, ground lamb, red onion, garlic, olive oil, greek yogurt, persian cucumbers, lemon, fresh mint, fresh parsley, pita bread, baby tomatoes, feta cheese, and seasonings.

To make this recipe, you’ll need ground beef, ground lamb, red onion, garlic, olive oil, greek yogurt, persian cucumbers, lemon, fresh mint, fresh parsley, pita bread, baby tomatoes, feta cheese, and seasonings.

What You Need to Make These High-Protein Gyros

Ground Beef & Ground Lamb: Traditional gyro meat is made from a combination of ground beef and lamb, for a tender, juicy, and robust flavor. I recommend using a leaner ground beef, such as 90/10 ground beef, for this recipe.
Red Onion: Diced red onion adds a delicious, tangy flavor to this meat that truly takes the flavor to the next level.
Garlic: I will 100% recommend using mashed garlic cloves, over dried garlic, in this recipe.
Olive Oil: Olive oil is full of healthy fats and is a staple when it comes to Greek cooking. I highly recommend it here.
Seasonings: To make this recipe, you’ll need a variety of seasonings, such as cumin, dried dill, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Yum!

Prepare the gyro meat by adding the the ground beef and ground lamb to a large bowl alongside the diced red onion, mashed garlic, and seasonings (the cumin, dried dill, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper). Mix to fully combine.

A person slices homemade doner kebab meat in a pan with a knife. There are fresh mint leaves, cherry tomatoes, yogurt, and flatbread on a wooden board. A green tiled wall is in the background. — Prepare the gyro meat by adding the the ground beef and ground lamb to a large bowl alongside the diced red onion, mashed garlic, and seasonings (the cumin, dried dill, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper). Mix to fully combine.

Greek Yogurt: When it comes to making homemade tzatziki, I love using greek yogurt. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with protein, making it the perfect base for the tzatziki.
Persian Cucumbers: A key element of tzatziki is the cucumber, and for this recipe, I recommend finely chopping them (or even grating them!)
Lemon: The juice of one lemon helps to cut through the thickness of the greek yogurt, making it the perfect addition to the tzatziki!
Fresh Mint & Parsley: The fresh mint is essential to making the perfect tzatziki, and the fresh parsley is the best garnish on top. Don’t skip them!
Pita Bread: Of course, it wouldn’t be a gyro without the pita bread! Warm, fluffy pita bread perfectly wraps around the meat for that delicious flavor and texture.
Baby Tomatoes: I love the bright, juicy flavor that baby tomatoes add to this recipe.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese is a classic ingredient in Greek gyros and adds the perfect finishing touch to this recipe!

When you’re ready to prepare the gyros, warm the pita breads and spread a dollop of tzatziki across each one.

How to Make These Hearty & Tender Gyros

To make these Easy Greek-Style Gyros, start by preheating your oven to 375 F on the convection setting. Next, prepare the meat. Add the ground beef and ground lamb to a large bowl, alongside the grated red onion, mashed garlic, cumin, dried dill, dried oregano, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Use your hands to mix them all together and ensure that the seasonings are fully combined with the meat.

Grease the vertical spit with olive oil. Next, divide the meat into three, even-sized balls and place them onto the spit, pressing them together. Place a piece of foil on top of the meat. Then, transfer the spit into the oven, on the lower rack, and allow it to bake for 45 minutes.

Once the 45 minutes are up, remove it from the oven, baste the meat with the juices, then return it to the oven for another 40-45 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 F. Finally, remove the meat from the oven and allow it to cool for 20 minutes before slicing.

Close-up of a gyro-style flatbread topped with slices of grilled meat, crumbled feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley, and drizzled with a creamy sauce. The flatbread rests on a textured yellow surface. — Then, layer the meat on top of the tzatziki, followed by the chopped baby tomatoes, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.

Three pita wraps filled with sliced meat, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, and fresh herbs on a plate, accompanied by a small bowl of white sauce. A hand holds one wrap. A small bottle of olive oil and a cutting board are in the background. — Then, layer the meat on top of the tzatziki, followed by the chopped baby tomatoes, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.

While the meat is resting, prepare the tzatziki. Add all of the tzatziki ingredients to a bowl (the greek yogurt, Persian cucumbers, mashed garlic, lemon juice, fresh mint, dried dill, and kosher salt) to a bowl and mix to fully combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, then transfer the tzatziki into the fridge to set for 20 minutes.

Once you’re ready to serve the pitas, warm the pita breads according to your preferred method and lay them out on a cutting board. Spread a dollop of the tzatziki on top of each pita, then layer the gyro meat on top.

Wash and chop the baby tomatoes and add them on top of the meat. Then, add-on the chopped parsley, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil (if desired). Serve the pitas immediately and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Dairy Free/gluten-free/Grain Free/Nut Free/Paleo/Refined Sugar Free