Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Marinade:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (Halal)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (make sure it’s Halal)
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Gyros:
- 4–6 pita bread or flatbreads (Halal)
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Ingredient Highlights
- Ground Beef: Using ground beef as the base for this gyro gives it a rich, hearty flavor. Make sure it’s Halal-certified to adhere to dietary preferences.
- Spices: The spices in the beef marinade—oregano, cumin, paprika, and cinnamon—create that bold, Mediterranean flavor that defines gyros.
- Tzatziki Sauce: The cool, creamy yogurt sauce with cucumber and garlic provides the perfect refreshing contrast to the warm, savory beef.
- Fresh Veggies: Adding fresh toppings like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions not only adds crunch and freshness but enhances the overall Mediterranean vibe of the dish.
Instructions
Prepare the Beef Marinade:
- Mix the Beef Marinade: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, coriander, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Mix well until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat.
- Marinate the Beef: Let the beef marinate for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the other components of the gyros. This quick marination allows the flavors to meld without requiring hours of resting time.
Make the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Prepare the Tzatziki: In a small bowl, mix together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (ensure you squeeze out excess water), minced garlic, dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is fully combined. Adjust seasoning to taste, then set the sauce aside to chill in the fridge while you cook the beef.
Cook the Beef:
- Cook the Beef: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, for about 8-10 minutes or until it’s fully browned and cooked through.
- Drain Excess Fat: If necessary, drain any excess fat from the beef to avoid greasy gyros. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to intensify.
Assemble the Gyros:
- Prepare the Pita: Warm the pita bread or flatbreads in the oven or on a skillet for a few seconds to soften them, making them easier to wrap around the fillings.
- Assemble the Gyros: Place a generous amount of cooked beef on the warm pita. Add diced tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onions, and any other desired toppings. Spoon on some tzatziki sauce, then sprinkle with fresh parsley and crumbled feta if using.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve: Fold the pita over the fillings and serve the gyros immediately while they’re warm, garnished with extra parsley or a drizzle of tzatziki if desired.
- Prep Time: 10minutes
- Cook Time: 30minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 600
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 30g