Lamb Gyro Recipe

If you’ve had those delicious Greek gyros before and wondered about making them at home, start off with this Lamb Gyro recipe. Tasty, succulent lamb,refreshing Gyro Sauce wrapped into a delicious Gyro Sandwich! YUM! Video included! 

This delicious post is in partnership with my friends at the American Lamb Board. It’s not just your everyday tasty lamb recipe, it’s an amazing opportunity to enjoy delicious lamb with a cause! More details below!

GYROS

Originally from Greece, gyros are like the Greek shawarma or tacos. They’re cooked traditionally on a vertical stick and sliced thinly.

While you can make gyros with almost any meat, the most popular ones in Greece would be pork and chicken. However, you’ll also find beef and lamb gyros and obviously lamb is my ultimate favorite one!

Gyro Pronunciation

As silly as it is, I know this is a super common question. So gyros are pronounced with a silent “g” and a stretched out “ee” sound for the “y”.

So basically pronounced “eeros”

GYRO RECIPE

There a few components to the Gyro recipe, and we’ll be breaking them down as we go:

• The Meat itself, in today’s recipe: American lamb.
• The Gyro Sauce or Tzatziki (more on that below)
• Fresh veggies : tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, fresh mint
• Thick pita bread (naan bread also works) to wrap the gyro sandwich.

Now let’s break up the gyro recipe and make it step by step. Starting off with the lamb.

LAMB

I’m using as always American lamb today. I know I’ve mentioned before how I love American lamb and how I’ve visited plenty of local farms, but I’ll keep mentioning it again.

American lamb is unlike any lamb you’ll eat elsewhere in the world. It’s raised to the highest industry standards and raised with so much LOVE! I promise you’ll taste the quality and love when you try it. Take my word.

Today’s cut is American Lamb Sirloin.

What is a Sirloin?

Sirloin is the area on the back of the animal and it’s part of the leg.

The sirloin cut is inexpensive, very versatile and super tender. So it’s ideal for the BBQ, for making kebabs, shawarma, Ragu, for roasting and more.

This particular cut is a sirloin roast cut into strips, and you could also use sirloin chops or boneless leg as great alternatives.

#TheLambChallenge

Remember at the beginning of the post I mentioned cooking for a GREAT cause? Well here it is!

The American Lamb Board is hosting #TheLambChallenge on Instagram during the months of May and June. For every person who cooks a lamb dish and uses the hashtag, the American Lamb Board will donate to Feeding America – let’s help them reach their $10,000 goal!

PLUS, you’ll enter for a chance to win one of the $200 gift certificates to your favorite restaurant or grocery store.”

How amazing is that? You’ll cook a delicious meal for your family, friends or neighbours and you’ll cook another meal, pack it for our front lines. You’ll enjoy delicious meals, and you’ll help Feeding America!

Lamb Marinade:

The basic gyro marinade is garlic, lemon juice and oregano along with salt and pepper. Instead of garlic, I’ve used a garlic paste or Toum.

Toum is a recipe I’ve been making over and over since I found it at Cosette’s Kitchen blog. I’ve probably had it at lots of Lebanese restaurants, but never knew how to make it at home, so now I do thanks to Cosette’s recipe!

Not only that, I’ve found that Cosette’s Recipe is even more luscious than the restaurant garlic sauces Ive had before! I use it as a dip, condiment, marinade, dressing, pasta, and I even use to sauté mushrooms or chicken! MUST try recipe!

I’ve cooked today’s American Lamb sirloin on the grill because hello it’s summer! However, you can totally indoor grill this or pan sear it!

Once cooked to the doneness you prefer, rest the lamb for a few minutes and then thinly slice them for your gyro recipe!

GYRO SAUCE / TAZATZIKI SAUCE

A Tzatziki is a cool refreshing yogurt based sauce, very authentically Greek.

Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce

• Yogurt
• Garlic
• Lemon Juice
• Grated Cucumber
• Herbs (fresh oregano, dill and mint— or your favorite)
• Salt and Pepper

Just mix all of these together into a zesty creamy sauce. Also a note on the cucumbers: after you grate the cucumber, make sure you drain as much liquid from it as possible. You don’t need a soggy Tzatziki!

GYRO SANDWICH

Now you’ve got the lamb and gyro sauce ready, so it’s time to assemble the gyro sandwich.

I love keeping it pure and simple, and as close to authentic Greek gyros as possible. So here’s what I add to my sandwich:

• Sliced Onions
• Cucumbers
• Tomatoes
• Fresh Mint Leaves (or Parsley)
• Tzatziki Sauce
• Thick Pita or Naan Bread (charred is best if you can d it!)
• Succulent Lamb

Starting off by layering the bread over a piece of parchment paper or wax paper.

Leave half of the bread out of the paper so that you can wrap it and know where to eat it from.

Now spread your Tzatziki sauce over the bread, layer the succulent lamb and toppings. Squeeze some lemon juice and wrap it up with the paper. Serve right away!

TIPS FOR GYROS

• Marinate the lamb for 30 mins and up to 24 hours if you’re preparing ahead of time.
• Make sure to try Cosette’s Kitchen Toum or garlic paste recipe for marinating and for the Tzatziki Sauce. If you’re rushed, use regular minced garlic.
• If you access to an outdoor grill, it’s optimal to BBQ the lamb. However you can pan sear it as well or grill it indoor.
• Depending on how well you want the lamb to be done, your lamb sirloin may take anywhere from 7-10 minutes per side while covering the BBQ lid in between.
• Always wait a few minutes (2-3minutes) before slicing the sirloin.
• Prepare the Tzatziki up to 3 days ahead of time if you wish.
• Make sure to squeeze dry any moisture out of the cucumber for the Tzatziki sauce.
• For the bread, use a thick Pita bread —which is most authentic. However a naan bread also works as it’s similar to a Greek flat bread.
• Assemble the gyro sandwiches before serving.
  

  LAMB RECIPES 

• Thai Salad With Lamb And Peanut Dressing
• Easy Stir Fry Recipe with Lamb and Veggies
• Cheese Fondue with Lamb Dippers
• Smashed Potatoes With Spicy Lamb
• Grilled Lamb Skewers BBQ Party
• Roast Lamb And Chickpeas
• Fall Harvest Bowl with Lamb Meatballs Recipe
• Spicy Harissa Lamb Shoulder Chunks in Pita Cones with Tahini Sauce
• 

  4.64 from 11 votes

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  Lamb Gyro Recipe

  If you’ve had those delicious Greek gyros before and wondered about making them at home, start off with this Lamb Gyro recipe. Tasty, succulent lamb,refreshing Gyro Sauce wrapped into a delicious Gyro Sandwich! YUM! Video included!

  Course BBQ, Main Course, Main Dish

  Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

  Keyword Gyro Recipe, Gyro Sandwich, Gyro Sauce, Gyros, Tzatziki

  Prep Time 30 minutes

  Cook Time 20 minutes

  Servings 8

  Calories 589 kcal

  Author Mahy

  Ingredients

  Lamb

  • 2 pounds Lamb Sirloin boneless— use American Lamb
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons garlic paste - Cosette’s Kitchen Recipe. Or use 4 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon oregano fresh or 1/2 Tablespoon dried
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • pinch nutmeg optional
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  TzatZiki Sauce

  • 1 cup Yogurt preferably Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grated cucumbers squeeze dried—see notes
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic Paste same Toum recipe used above or 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons minced fresh herbs dill, mint and oregano
  • salt to your taste and depending on the yogurt brand you use about 1/8 teaspoon

  Sandwiches

  • 8 Pita Breads - Greek style thick pita breads or Naan breads charred preferably
  • Tzatziki Sauce above
  • Lamb Above
  • 2/3 cup sliced cucumbers
  • 1 cup sliced tomatoes
  • 2 red onions sliced
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup mint leaves fresh (or Parsley)

  Instructions

  1. Marinate the lamb sirloin with all the ingredients and let it sit for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours before grilling.
  2. Preheat an outdoor grill and place the lamb sirloins for 6-10 minutes on each side —depending on how well done you prefer the lamb. 6 minutes for rare, while 10 minutes for medium done.
  3. Keep the BBQ lid on for most of the grilling time.
  4. Once the lamb is ready, remove it into a cutting board and let it rest for at least 3 minutes before slicing g it really thin.
  5. Make the Tzatziki sauce: Mix everything together in a large bowl. taste and adjust salt.
  6. If you can charr the bread on the grill that would be best for the gyro sandwiches.
  7. Assemble the sandwiches: Starting off by layering the bread over a piece of parchment paper or wax paper.
  8. Leave half of the bread out of the paper so that you can wrap it and know where to eat it from.
  9. Now spread your Tzatziki sauce over the bread, layer the succulent lamb and toppings. Squeeze some lemon juice and wrap it up with the paper. Serve right away!
  10. ENJOY!

  Recipe Video

  Recipe Notes

  TIPS FOR GYROS

  1. Marinate the lamb for 30 mins and up to 24 hours if you’re preparing ahead of time.
  2. Make sure to try Cosette’s Kitchen Toum or garlic paste recipe for marinating and for the Tzatziki Sauce. If you’re rushed, use regular minced garlic.
  3. If you access to an outdoor grill, it’s optimal to BBQ the lamb. However you can pan sear it as well or grill it indoor.
  4. Depending on how well you want the lamb to be done, your lamb sirloin may take anywhere from 7-10 minutes per side while covering the BBQ lid in between.
  5. Always wait a few minutes (2-3minutes) before slicing the sirloin.
  6. Prepare the Tzatziki up to 3 days ahead of time if you wish.
  7. Make sure to squeeze dry any moisture out of the cucumber for the Tzatziki sauce.
  8. For the bread, use a thick Pita bread —which is most authentic. However a naan bread also works as it’s similar to a Greek flat bread.
  9. Assemble the gyro sandwiches before serving.

  Nutrition Facts

  Lamb Gyro Recipe

  Amount Per Serving

  Calories 589 Calories from Fat 324

  % Daily Value*

  Fat 36g55%

  Saturated Fat 15g94%

  Cholesterol 88mg29%

  Sodium 674mg29%

  Potassium 552mg16%

  Carbohydrates 41g14%

  Fiber 3g13%

  Sugar 4g4%

  Protein 26g52%

  Vitamin A 441IU9%

  Vitamin C 18mg22%

  Calcium 140mg14%

  Iron 3mg17%

  * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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