Here’s a delicious and authentic-style Homemade Beef Gyros Recipe tailored for the Mediterranean Diet — made lighter, fresher, and packed with that signature Greek flavor 🇬🇷🥙
🥙 Homemade Beef Gyros (Mediterranean Diet Style)
Ingredients
🥩 For the beef:
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (or thinly sliced sirloin or flank steak)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely grated or pureed
- 1 tsp oregano (dried or fresh chopped)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon or allspice for authentic Greek aroma
🥒 For the Tzatziki sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat or 2%)
- ½ cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
- Pinch of sea salt and black pepper
🌿 For serving:
- Whole-grain pita or whole wheat flatbread
- Sliced tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce
- Optional: crumbled feta cheese or olives
Instructions
1. Prepare the beef:
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with garlic, grated onion, olive oil, and seasonings.
- Shape into a loaf or patties if baking, or cook loose for easier wraps.
Option A – Oven method:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Press the beef mixture into a loaf pan and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Let rest for 10 minutes, then slice thinly.
Option B – Skillet method:
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef mixture and cook, breaking it apart or shaping into slices.
- Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes.
2. Make the Tzatziki sauce:
- Combine Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to develop.
3. Assemble the gyros:
- Warm pita bread slightly in a dry skillet or oven.
- Spread tzatziki sauce generously over the bread.
- Add sliced beef, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce.
- Top with extra tzatziki, herbs, or feta if desired.
- Roll or fold and serve immediately.
🍋 Mediterranean Diet Benefits
- Uses lean beef and olive oil for heart-healthy fats.
- Greek yogurt adds protein and probiotics.
- Packed with fresh vegetables and herbs.
- No processed sauces or added sugars.
Serving Suggestion
Serve your beef gyros with:
- A side of Greek salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta, olive oil, oregano)
- Or roasted Mediterranean potatoes with lemon and herbs
Would you like me to give you a meal-prep version (easy to make ahead for several days) or keep it as a fresh-made dinner recipe?
