Description
Discover a quick and flavorful Greek Beef Gyro recipe featuring tender, well-seasoned ground beef combined with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions, all wrapped in warm pita bread and topped with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. This authentic Greek dish is easy to prepare, customizable, and perfect for a satisfying dinner or entertaining guests with fresh Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Mixture
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings and Bread
- 4 soft pita bread rounds
- 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce (see below)
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, dried oregano, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all the spices.
- Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the beef mixture and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, until it is browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary and set aside.
- Warm the Pita Bread: Gently warm the pita breads in a skillet or oven until soft and pliable, ready for wrapping.
- Prepare the Toppings: Thinly slice tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill; stir well.
- Assemble the Gyros: Lay each warm pita flat, add a generous scoop of cooked beef, then layer with fresh vegetables and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Fold the pita and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use freshly ground spices for the best flavor.
- Avoid overcooking the beef to keep it juicy and tender.
- Warm pita properly to prevent cracking when folding.
- Prepare tzatziki a few hours ahead to enhance flavor melding.
- Allow cooked beef to rest briefly before assembling for better texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gyro
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Greek beef gyro, homemade gyro, Greek recipe, beef gyro, tzatziki, Mediterranean dinner, quick gyro recipe