Description
Quick and flavorful ground beef gyros made with warm pita, seasoned beef, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce. This easy Mediterranean-inspired dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (85/15 recommended)
1 small onion, finely grated or minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground coriander (optional)
½ teaspoon salt (plus more to taste)
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of ground cinnamon (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed)
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 medium cucumber, grated and drained
2 cloves garlic, minced (for tzatziki)
1 tablespoon olive oil (for tzatziki)
1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh dill or mint (optional)
4–6 pita breads
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
½ cup sliced cucumber
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Kalamata olives (optional)
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid. In a bowl, mix it with Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, pepper, and herbs. Refrigerate to chill.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Add onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, coriander, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Cook until the beef is fully cooked and fragrant. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Warm the pita breads in a skillet or oven until soft and pliable.
- Assemble the gyros by adding lettuce, cooked beef, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta to each pita.
- Top with tzatziki sauce and optional olives, then serve immediately.
Notes
Squeeze cucumber well to prevent watery tzatziki.
Use ground lamb or chicken as an alternative to beef.
Store beef and tzatziki separately for best freshness.
Reheat beef in a skillet or microwave before serving.
Serve as a bowl with rice or lettuce for a low-carb option.
Add hummus or hot sauce for extra flavor.
Use soft Greek-style pita for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 gyro
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
