We have always been big gyros fans. They are such a quick, fresh, tasty option when eating out. It always seemed impossible to make them at home, since in restaurants they cook the meat on a huge rotating skewer. Then at some point I found this recipe with a method for making gyros meat at home and I have been making them homemade ever since.
The method for making the meat is not at all the traditional one, but the end result is actually amazing. I love having extra meat leftover, because it makes a great snack straight out of the fridge.
In order to make meat that approximates gyros meat, ground lamb and beef are processed in the food processor into a finer paste with onion, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt and pepper. This meat mix is then baked in a loaf pan in a water bath to give you a pretty solid block of highly flavored meat.
This is cooled slightly and sliced thinly to replicated the way the meat is usually shaved off the big skewer. I then fry the thin slices in a little oil in a skillet to give the same browned exterior you would get from the meat normally rotating near flames.
The browned meat is served in delicious wrap bread, with tzatziki sauce, tomato and onion. Simple, but so delicious! I will often serve these with Greek salad or fries on the side.
Homemade Gyros Meat + Gyros
Ingredients
For the meat:
- 1 onion
- 2 lbs ground beef and lamb
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp dried marjoram
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 2 tsp salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the tzatziki:
- 8 oz plain yogurt
- 2 mini cucumbers shredded
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 tsp dried dill
For the gyros:
- wrap bread or pita bread
- sliced tomato
- sliced onion
Instructions
Make the tzatziki:
- Combine all the ingredients and taste and adjust seasoning. Allow to rest in the fridge for a few hours to combine.
For the meat:
- Chop the onion and garlic in the food processor and scrape into a paper towel to squeeze the water out. Combine the onion, garlic, meat, spices and salt and pepper the food processor. Pulse until the mixture is a fine paste, stirring as needed to get the meat all the same consistency.
- Press into a loaf pan and place the loaf pan into a water bath.
- Place into a 325 degree oven and bake until the internal temp of the meat is 175. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
- Thinly slice the meat block. Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet until hot and fry the sliced meat until lightly browned. Salt it if needed.
- Serve the hot meat on soft wrap bread, with tzatziki, tomato and onion.
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