Ingredients

The following ingredients have 8 Servings
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound ground lamb
  • 2 tablespoons bacon grease (OR butter*)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
  • 6 cloves garlic (smashed and finely minced)
  • 4 teaspoons kosher salt (yes, 4 teaspoons**)
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
  • 1 batch Tzatziki Sauce
  • 1 large red onion (sliced thin)
  • 2-4 tomatoes (sliced)
  • 1-2 cucumbers (sliced)
  • 8-10 pita rounds
  • fresh dill (to garnish, optional)

Instruction

  • Start by making the Tzatziki Sauce. It needs time to marinate, so get it done first so it can sit in the fridge while you make the rest.
  • Make the gyro meat. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Or line with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
  • If you have a food processor, use it to finely chop the onion and garlic. If not, use a knife to chop finely.
  • In a large bowl, add all gyro meat ingredients: 1 pound ground beef, 1 pound ground lamb, 2 tablespoons butter OR bacon grease,* 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 cup Panko crumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, 4 teaspoons kosher salt (see note), 2 teaspoons black pepper, 2 teaspoons oregano, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon marjoram. (It's ok if you don't have the marjoram.)
  • Combine the meat using your hands. I like to wear disposable gloves when I do this. Using your hands feels a little weird, but it mixes the meat so much faster and more evenly than using a spoon, resulting in nice tender meat (as opposed to being overworked.)
  • Shape the meat into about 10 oval patties. See photos. Line them up on the pan making sure they are not touching each other.
  • Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the oven and keep warm.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the gyro toppings: Thinly slice a red onion. Slice the tomatoes. Slice the cucumbers. Warm the pita bread either in the microwave or in the still-warm oven. Chop extra fresh dill, if you want.
  • How to construct your gyro: Add a layer of Tzatziki Sauce to a warm pita. Slice a gyro patty in half lengthwise for easier eating, and place on top of Tzatziki. Garnish with red onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh dill. Devour!
  • Gyros are traditionally served with french fries, or you could try it with these 3 ingredient Roasted Potatoes. It would also be great served with this Greek Salad!