Description
Juicy, spiced lamb wrapped in warm pita and topped with cool, creamy tzatziki—Lamb Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce bring the flavors of Greece straight to your kitchen. These homemade gyros are tender, flavorful, and layered with fresh toppings like tomato, onion, and lettuce. Perfect for dinner, meal prep, or a backyard gathering, this recipe is your go-to for a Mediterranean feast made simple.
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Ingredients
For the Lamb:
1½ lbs ground lamb or thinly sliced lamb leg
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, grated and drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or mint
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tsp olive oil (optional)
To Assemble:
4–6 pita or flatbreads, warmed
Sliced tomatoes
Thinly sliced red onion
Shredded lettuce or arugula
Crumbled feta (optional)
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Lamb
In a bowl, combine ground or sliced lamb with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and all spices.
Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to let the flavors meld.
Step 2: Make the Tzatziki Sauce
Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid using paper towels or a clean cloth.
In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Drizzle with olive oil if desired. Chill until ready to serve.
Step 3: Cook the Lamb
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
For ground lamb: form into patties or crumble into the pan and cook until browned and cooked through.
For sliced lamb: sear in the hot skillet for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and tender.
Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes.
Step 4: Warm the Pitas
Heat pitas in a dry skillet or wrap in foil and warm in the oven at 300°F for 5–7 minutes.
Step 5: Assemble the Gyros
Spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki on each pita.
Add lamb, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and lettuce.
Top with extra tzatziki and crumbled feta if using.
Serve with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
Use Fresh Herbs – Dill or mint gives tzatziki its signature flavor.
Drain the Cucumber – Prevents watery sauce.
Let the Meat Rest – Helps retain juices and enhances flavor.
Warm the Pitas – Soft, warm bread makes all the difference.
Meal Prep Friendly – Store cooked lamb and sauce separately for easy gyro lunches.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Cuisine: Greek / Mediterranean