Greek Lamb Gyros

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These gyros offer an irresistible combination of juicy, spiced lamb, fresh toppings, and soft, pillowy pita bread. The meat is marinated with Greek herbs and spices, then roasted or grilled to perfection. Wrapped up with crunchy veggies and a cool tzatziki sauce, this dish is satisfying, portable, and customizable. It’s perfect for a family dinner, meal prep, or even casual entertaining.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Lamb:

• Boneless leg of lamb or lamb shoulder, thinly sliced
• Olive oil
• Garlic, minced
• Lemon juice
• Red wine vinegar
• Dried oregano
• Ground cumin
• Ground coriander
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

For Serving:

• Pita bread or flatbreads
• Tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill)
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Tomato, diced or sliced
• Cucumber, sliced
• Lettuce or arugula
• Fresh parsley or dill (optional, for garnish)

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, and all the spices.
2. Add sliced lamb to the marinade and coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Preheat a skillet, grill, or grill pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the marinated lamb in batches for 2–4 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
5. Warm the pita bread on the skillet or in the oven until soft and pliable.
6. Assemble the gyros by placing cooked lamb on each pita. Add onion, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki.
7. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Wrap and serve immediately.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4–6 people.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Marinate time: 2 hours to overnight
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: about 2 hours 35 minutes (with minimum marinating)

Variations

• Ground Lamb Gyros: Use seasoned ground lamb cooked in a skillet for a quick and easy alternative.
• Lamb Roast: Use leftover roasted lamb, thinly sliced and reheated, for convenience.
• Grilled Version: Skewer the marinated lamb and grill for a kebab-style gyro filling.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute lamb with grilled mushrooms, chickpeas, or halloumi cheese.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of chili flakes or hot sauce to the marinade or topping.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover cooked lamb in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until heated through.
Pita bread and toppings should be stored separately and assembled fresh for best texture.
Tzatziki sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3–4 days.

FAQs

What cut of lamb is best for gyros?

Boneless leg of lamb or lamb shoulder works best due to their tenderness and flavor when marinated and sliced thinly.

Can I use a rotisserie?

Yes, if you have a vertical rotisserie or spit, it adds an authentic touch. Otherwise, pan-searing or grilling works beautifully.

Can I make the lamb ahead of time?

Yes, marinate the lamb overnight and cook it fresh before serving. You can also cook and reheat it as needed.

What is tzatziki made of?

Tzatziki is a creamy sauce made with Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill.

Can I use store-bought pita bread?

Yes, just warm it before serving to make it soft and pliable for wrapping.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Use gluten-free pita or serve the lamb over salad or rice for a gluten-free option.

Can I freeze the marinated lamb?

Yes, freeze it in the marinade for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.

What sides go well with lamb gyros?

Serve with Greek salad, lemon potatoes, roasted vegetables, or orzo pasta.

Can I make these into gyro bowls?

Absolutely. Serve the lamb over rice or greens with all the toppings and tzatziki on top.

How do I prevent the gyro from falling apart?

Don’t overfill the pita, and wrap it tightly with foil or parchment paper at the bottom to hold everything in place.

Conclusion

Greek Lamb Gyros are a flavorful, satisfying meal that brings the taste of the Mediterranean to your kitchen. With tender, marinated lamb, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki wrapped in warm pita, they’re perfect for lunch, dinner, or a weekend feast. Simple to prepare and endlessly customizable, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your rotation.

Greek Lamb Gyros

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Greek Lamb Gyros are a Mediterranean favorite made with tender marinated lamb, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce, all wrapped in warm pita bread. This flavorful and satisfying dish is perfect for lunch, dinner, or entertaining.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 4–6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling or Pan-Searing
• Cuisine: Greek
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs boneless leg of lamb or lamb shoulder, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads
• 1 cup tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill)
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup tomato, diced or sliced
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup lettuce or arugula
• Fresh parsley or dill (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add sliced lamb to the marinade and coat well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat a skillet, grill, or grill pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook marinated lamb in batches for 2–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
5. Warm pita bread in a skillet or oven until soft.
6. Assemble gyros: place cooked lamb on pita, add onion, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, and tzatziki.
7. Garnish with herbs if desired. Wrap and serve immediately.

Notes

• Marinate lamb overnight for the best flavor.
• Serve gyro ingredients buffet-style for a build-your-own meal.
• Use gluten-free pita or serve over salad for a gluten-free option.
• For added authenticity, grill lamb on skewers.
• Use store-bought tzatziki for convenience, or make it fresh for extra flavor.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 gyro
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 570mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 85mg