Homemade Beef Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
If you love gyros from your favorite Mediterranean spot, you are going to be obsessed with this homemade version. Instead of using a rotisserie spit, we’re making gyro meat the easy way using ground beef pressed thin between parchment paper and cooked in the oven until it’s juicy with crispy edges.
Add a simple homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh veggies, and warm pita bread and you’ve got a restaurant-style meal at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy oven method (no special equipment)
- Made with simple pantry spices
- Juicy meat with crispy edges like real gyro meat
- The tzatziki is fresh, creamy, and fast
- Perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep
Ingredients
For the Homemade Gyro Meat
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 works great)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembling the Gyros
- Pita bread
- Sliced tomatoes
- Sliced red onion
- Shredded lettuce (or thin sliced romaine)
How to Make Homemade Gyros
1. Prep the Gyro Meat
In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
2. Flatten Between Parchment
Place the meat mixture between two sheets of parchment paper. Press it into a flat rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Bake or Broil
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Place the meat (still on the parchment) onto a baking sheet like this one and bake for 15–20 minutes, until cooked through.
For crispier edges, switch to broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
4. Rest and Slice
Let the meat rest for 5 minutes, then slice it into thin strips.
5. Make the Tzatziki Sauce
In a bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, fresh dill, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Taste and adjust salt and lemon as needed.
6. Assemble the Gyros
Warm your pita bread, spread tzatziki on the inside, then add sliced gyro meat and top with tomatoes, red onion, and lettuce.
Tips for the Best Homemade Gyros
- Squeeze the cucumber dry or your tzatziki will get watery.
- Want crispier meat? After baking, slice it and sear in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes.
- Make the tzatziki ahead — it tastes even better after 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Warm the pita in a skillet for the best texture.
What to Serve With Gyros
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Greek salad
- Rice pilaf
- Extra tzatziki and veggies for dipping
- Hummus and pita chips
Homemade Beef Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place meat between two sheets of parchment paper and press into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
- Transfer to a baking sheet and bake 15–20 minutes, until cooked through. Broil 1–2 minutes at the end for crispier edges if desired.
- Rest 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.
- In a bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
- Warm pita bread, spread hummus, tzatziki, add meat, and top with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and lettuce.
Nutrition
Notes
- For extra crispy gyro meat, sear sliced meat in a hot skillet for 1–2 minutes after baking.
- Always squeeze cucumber dry for thick tzatziki.
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Delicious and easy!