Greek Gyro

Step 1

Place onion and garlic in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth.

Step 2

In a stand mixer, mix the ground beef and lamb with the pureed onion, garlic and all the spices. Mix until the meat is a paste like consistency. Or mix by hand in a large bowl.

Step 3

Optional: refrigerate the meat for 2 hours or up to 24 hours to marinate.

Step 4

Preheat oven to 325°F

Step 5

Line a baking tray with foil.

Step 6

Shape the meat into a log and throw the meat down onto a kitchen counter 2 – 3 times to release any air. This keeps the meat compact while baking so it will not crumble when sliced. Optional: or shape meat into a loaf pan and bake like a regular shaped meatloaf. Cover the loaf pan with foil. Press the meat down to release any air pockets.

Step 7

Tear a large piece of tin foil and place the meat in the center of the foil. Insert a skewer through the center of the shaped meat. Wrap the tin foil around the meat and squeeze the ends closed around the skewer. Note: be careful not to press or bend the foil into the meat.

Step 8

Place the foil wrapped gyro onto the prepared baking tray and bake on the middle rack of your oven.

Step 9

Cook for approximately 1.5 hours, flipping the foil wrapped meat once after 1 hour, until the meat reaches 160°F internal temperature. Note: if baking in a loaf pan just rotate the pan in the oven, do not flip the meat. Remove any excess fat or grease in the loaf pan while cooking.

Step 10

Remove the meat from the oven and allow to rest 5 minutes before unwrapping the foil. When the skewer is cool enough to handle, stand the meat up using the skewer to hold it up and shave thin slices of meat off the skewer. Optional: if baked in a loaf pan – after baking thinly slice meat.

Step 11

Heat oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook shaved gyro for 2-3 minute per side until slightly crispy.

Step 12

Assemble your gyro pita with warm pita bread, tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion, feta cheese and some of the gyro meat. Optional: add some French fries for a classic Greek street food!

Step 13

Roll up the pita tightly, wrap in foil or parchment paper to hold it together and make it easier to eat. Enjoy!