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Greek Lamb Gyros Recipe Easy Homemade With Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

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This recipe features tender, spiced ground lamb paired with a creamy, garlicky tzatziki sauce, wrapped in warm pita bread for an authentic Greek street food experience at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) ground lamb
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried oregano)
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup (240ml) Greek yogurt (full-fat)
  • 1/2 cucumber, seeded and grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4–6 pita breads or flatbreads
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh lettuce or arugula
  • Optional: crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground lamb with minced garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Mix gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  3. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a sieve or cheesecloth.
  4. In a small bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a teaspoon of olive oil if needed. Add the marinated lamb in small batches, breaking it apart with a spatula, and cook for about 5-7 minutes per batch until browned and cooked through.
  6. Wrap pitas in foil and warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes, or toast lightly on the skillet for about a minute per side.
  7. Lay the warm pita flat, spoon on cooked lamb, add sliced red onion, tomatoes, and lettuce. Top with a dollop of tzatziki sauce and optionally sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
  8. Fold or roll the pita around the fillings and serve immediately.

Notes

Do not overmix the lamb to keep it tender. Drain cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki. Cook lamb in batches to get a good sear. Warm pita bread just before serving for best texture. Marinate lamb up to 24 hours for deeper flavor. Use gluten-free pita or lettuce wraps for gluten-free option. Use dairy-free yogurt and omit feta for dairy-free or vegan adaptations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek lamb gyros, homemade gyros, lamb recipe, tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean, easy dinner, Greek street food

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/greek-lamb-gyros-recipe-easy-homemade-with-creamy-tzatziki-sauce/