Homemade Gyro: A Greek Classic Recipe

By Kevin D. Weeks

Prep:  35 Minutes
Cook: 15 Minutes
Total: 35 Minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 Gyros

Ingredients:

Meat Mixture
* 1 lb ground Lamb (or beef)
* 1/4 cup Red Onion (minced)
* 2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
* 2 tsp Salt
* 1 tsp Black Pepper
* 1 1/2 tsp Cumin (I choose to leave this out next time)
* 1/4/ tsp nutmeg (did not have this last time and it was fine)
* 1 tsp dried Oregano
* 2 tsp fresh Lemon Juice

Greek Tzatziki Sauce (Yogurt Cucumber Dip)
* 1 1/2 cups plain Greek Yogurt
* 2 TBSP olive oil
* 1 English Cucumber (diced small)
* 1 clove Garlic
* 1 TBSP Dill, (suggest using fresh dillweed)
* 1-2 TBSP fresh Lemon Juice
* Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Sandwich:
* 4 to 6 rounds of flatbread (or pita) (try warming next time)
* 1 leaf of Lettuce
* 1 Tomato (sliced)
* 1 Onion (sliced)
* Meat
* Tzatziki Sauce

Steps:
1. Make Tzatziki Sauce: Peel, seed, and shred cucumber and set aside.
2. Juice lemon and set aside.
3. Combine yogurt, olive oil, garlic, and dill, and then combine with the cucumber and lemon juice.
4. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

5. Slice the tomatoes and onions and wash and prepare lettuce. Set aside until meat is cooked.

6. Meat Mixture: Thoroughly combine all ingredients in a bowl: lamb, red onion, garlic, salt, black pepper, cumin (NOT), nutmeg, oregano, lemon juice.
7. Divide into four to six equal portions and shape into oblong patties about 3" wide, 6" long, 1/2" thick. Long and thin such as a sausage rather than a hamburger patty. (Formed mine into 1 1/2" wide x 4" long) Prefer to have at least 4 to 5 pieces of meat for each gyro.
8. Refrigerate for one hour. Can do steps 1-5 while meat is marinating.

9. Cook Meat Mixture: You can grill or fry them in a pan. Cook on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

10. Assemble your Gyro on the flatbread with the meat, tomatoes, onion, and Tzatziki Sauce.