Gyros have been my favorite food of choice when it comes to exploring the various food carts around Portland…since we live in a city that is famous for these small little restaurants on wheels. One of my goals this summer was to prepare our own homemade gyros with quality natural ingredients, and with some experimenting and fun, I have compiled a recipe that is scrumptious and frugal! We all have been enjoying this recipe multiple times over the last month and it is mouth watering yumminess. Dont skimp on the feta!
GYRO PATTIES:
1 pound ground beef (preferably grass fed) - It is also fabulous with thinly sliced sirloin steak or roast marinated (see below), but ground beef it more frugal so a great alternative!
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
CUCUMBER SAUCE:
1/2 medium cucumber, peeled, cut into chunks
1 cup plain greek yogurt, or sour cream
2 Tablespoons onion
2-3 garlic clove, minced (start with two and add more to your tastes)
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
TOPPINGS:
Feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Lettuce, shredded
1-2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion, sliced or chopped
4-5 Mediterranean flat or pita bread (I prefer the soft pliable texture of flat bread over pita bread as it makes a huge difference to the taste – It is available at Trader Joes or in the fresh baked goods section at your local store. Often labeled mediterranean greek flat bread.)
Directions:
1. Combine in a bowl the ground beef, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Shape into 4-5 patties and cook in a skillet until fully cooked. Cut patties into thin slices.
2. To make cucumber sauce: combine cucumber, yogurt/sour cream, garlic, salt, and vinegar in the blender, and pulse until smooth and slightly chunky. (This sauce makes enough for two batches of this recipe, so store the remainder in the fridge until next time! It lasts for a good month).
4. Layer on your pita or flat bread, sliced beef patties, cucumber sauce, feta cheese, onion, tomato, and lettuce. Enjoy!
I recommend that you layer ingredients directly on a flat pita bread rather than trying to open it up. It falls apart too easily if you try to open the pita bread up. Flat bread is my favorite choice as it is more moist than pita bread and more substantial and less likely to fall apart while consuming.
Yield: 4 servings.
Alternative Recipe: If using sirloin steak/roast or lamb steak, marinade in the following blended mixture for best results. A fabulous step up to the recipe!
1/2 onion, cut into chunks
1 garlic clove
3/4 Tablespoon raw honey, xylitol or other natural sweetener (I used honey and it was delicious!)
1 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 pound sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
Marinade for 1-2 hours before frying in a saute pan, and proceeding with the rest of the recipe above.
These were really good. My entire family loved, then had to make them again when we had my mom over for dinner and now she’s hooked too! Great job on another delish, easy and frugal recipe for us!
LOVED this! It’s a amazing. Thank you so much. I used 1 1/2 TB of Greek Seasoning because I had a full bottle and never knew what to do with it. Now I do!
I tried this recipe yesterday and thought it turned out great. Thanks for the good idea!
These were wonderful! My husband asked me to put this in rotation. Thanks for another great recipe!
Tried this recipe last week and it was a hit! Even with the kiddos! Had it last night again for supper–in picnic form. This will definitely be in our regular menu rotation.
I made our own pita bread that we used as flat bread — the recipe is here:
http://turn2thesimple.blogspot.com/2011/09/pita-bread.html
My hubby LOVES those gyros downtown. I haven’t had them but I’m making this for dinner tonight. I think he’ll love it!
These look incredible. My husband is Eastern European and will be so happy to see this grace the dinner table.
Thanks!
Lindsey,
Just a note to say I really appreciate you posting this meal today. I was just going to say I have a fabulous recipe for flat bread if you might be interested. I was thinking it would be perfect with this recipe. If you would like I can email it to you.
Thanks again!
Dana
Please do!
Oh, please post the recipe!
Can you tell us all how you make this flat bread? Please!
Oh, this look soooo good! I can’t wait to try it! =)
Aren’t you supposed to be taking a break?!?
Yes! That was my last one!
they look amazing!!!
That looks SO yummy! I haven’t had a gyro in ages… I had to LOL at the “beef panties” typo though
Ahh, Portland… you make me homesick sometimes
. I grew up in Hillsboro, but have lived in PA since college. It’s been almost four years since I last went back. Loved hitting up food carts in Pioneer square. This recipe looks delicious!