gyros

Gyros Recipes

(two recipes, Ground Meat Gyros and Marinated Souvlakia)

Here are two delicious recipes for Gyros – Ground Meat Gyros and Marinated Souvlakia.

Recipe 1: Ground Meat Gyros

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground lamb or beef
• 1 small onion, finely minced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon ground paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Pita bread
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced red onions
• Sliced cucumbers
• Tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meat, minced onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
3. Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle over medium-high heat.
4. Form the ground meat mixture into thin, flat patties about 2-3 inches in diameter.
5. Cook the patties on the grill or griddle for about 4-5 minutes per side or until cooked through and slightly charred.
6. Remove the cooked patties from the grill or griddle and let them rest for a few minutes.
7. To serve, warm the pita bread on the grill or griddle for a minute on each side.
8. Place a few patties on each pita bread and top with sliced tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
9. Roll up the pita bread tightly, tucking in the sides as you go.
10. Serve the Ground Meat Gyros hot, and enjoy!

Recipe 2: Marinated Souvlakia

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless lamb or beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
• Tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade) for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
2. Add the cubed lamb or beef to the marinade and toss to coat the meat evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
3. Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle over medium-high heat.
4. Thread the marinated meat onto the soaked wooden skewers.
5. Grill the skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, or until the meat is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
6. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes.
7. Serve the Marinated Souvlakia hot with tzatziki sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!

Note: Both recipes can be served with traditional Greek sides such as roasted potatoes, Greek salad, and lemon rice