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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / Course / Main Dishes / Beef Gyros

Beef Gyros

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 1/17/14Updated: 3/07/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

hand holding a beef gyro

This delicious Beef Gyros recipe has all of the amazing Middle Eastern flavor and is made in your cast iron skillet at home!

hand holding a gyro

what is a Gyro?

Gyro, pronounced “yee row”, is a traditional Middle Eastern street food. I still remember the first gyro I enjoyed during a trip to Greece, it was amazing! A gyro is a combination of well seasoned meat served wrapped in a piece of pita bread and often topped with Tzatziki sauce. The beef gyros we had in Greece came with french fries on top.

two gyros on a plate

What Kind of Meat Do You Use for Beef Gyros?

Traditionally, gyros are made from lamb, chicken or beef. Today we are using thinly sliced beef flank steak. Gyro meat is usually cooked on a rotating spit but since most home kitchens don’t have one we are using a cast iron pan. My favorite part of beef gyros is the amazing flavor you get from the spices used.

I also have a Chicken Gyro recipe here.

gyro meat in a cast iron pan

Ingredients Needed

  • Beef. I like to use flank steak but you can also use skirt steak, hanger steak, or flat iron steak.
  • Onion. White or yellow onion
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • Lemon juice
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic. Fresh garlic is best.
  • Parsley. Fresh or dried. Use half as much dried prsley
  • Salt and pepper

Gyro Meat Seasoning

If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice for your beef gyros you can make your own by using ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves or nutmeg (choose one)

bowl of gyro meat

how to Make Beef Gyros

  • Thinly slice your flank steak. Slice when partially frozen to allow for thinner slices.
  • Add in seasonings. You can also use 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice in place of the cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg.
  • Add in onion, garlic, fresh parsley and salt and pepper.
  • Stir to coat meat.  Let sit while you assemble the sauce.
two gyros on a plate

How to Make Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

This recipe for yogurt sauce is slightly different than the traditional Tzatziki sauce that is commonly served on beef gyros but it is just as delicious.

  • Combine chopped tomatoes and cucumber with Greek Yogurt
  • Add in some fresh garlic, red wine vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
tazazi sauce

How to Serve a Beef Gyro

  • We love to serve beef gyros on pita bread, but you can also use Naan bread if you prefer.
  • Wrap the meat in the pita bread and then top with the tzaziki sauce, some additional chopped tomato, cucumber, red onion and some fresh lettuce if you like

beef gyro with sauce on it

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make beef gyros in the instant pot?

Saute meat and onions in olive oil until meat is lightly browned. Add in seasonings, lemon juice and 1/2 cup of beef broth to meat mixture in Instant Pot.
Lock lid into place.
Turn the steam valve to sealing.  
Use the meat/stew preset cook time (30 minutes)  
Do a natural release. 

Can I make beef gyros in the slow cooker?

Place meat, onion, 1/2 cup of beef broth, lemon juice and seasonings into slow cooker. (Optional: lightly brown the meat in 1 tbsp olive oil before placing it in slow cooker)
Put on the lid.
Set to high for 3 1/2 – 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.

Is gyro meat and shawarma the same thing?

The flavor of the two is similar but the shawarma meat is usually cut into chunks, put on skewers and grilled. It is served as a kabob with rice where the gyro is served as a sandwich.

For other delicious recipes try these:

  • Chicken Gyro
  • Beef Gyro Recipe | Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
  • Cucumber Tea Sandwich
  • Yogurt chicken marinade
  • Skillet Apple Pie

Be sure and follow  me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

4.50 from 6 votes
hand holding a gyro

Beef Gyro

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
This delicious Beef Gyro recipe has all of the amazing Middle Eastern flavor and is made in your cast iron skillet at home!
serves: 4 servings
Prep:30 minutes
Cook:15 minutes
0 minutes
Total:45 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lb. flank steak thinly sliced against the grain
  • 1 medium onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic minced
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 cup English cucumber peeled, seeded and diced
  • 2 medium tomatoes chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic pressed through a garlic press (or finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Mix together the sliced steak, onion, pumpkin pie spice, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper in a bowl

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

  • Mix together yogurt, garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice.
  • Mix in tomatoes and cucumbers
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Meat Mixture

  • Heat a cast iron pan to medium heat.
  • Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to pan and then add meat and onion mixture in a single layer.
  • Cook until meat is browned and cooked through. Repeat with remaining meat.
  • Warm bread and serve meat and tzaziki sauce on top

Tips & Notes:

Instant Pot Directions:
Saute meat and onions in olive oil until meat is lightly browned. Add in seasonings, lemon juice and 1/2 cup of beef broth to meat mixture in Instant Pot.
Lock lid into place.
Turn the steam valve to sealing.  
Use the meat/stew preset cook time (30 minutes)  
Do a natural release. 
Slow Cooker Directions:
Place meat, onion, 1/2 cup of beef broth, lemon juice and seasonings into slow cooker. (Optional: lightly brown the meat in 1 tbsp olive oil before placing it in slow cooker)
Put on the lid.
Set to high for 3 1/2 – 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.

Recommended Products

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Cast Iron Skillet
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Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 291kcal (15%) Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) Protein: 37g (74%) Fat: 11g (17%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Cholesterol: 88mg (29%) Sodium: 681mg (30%) Potassium: 805mg (23%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 710IU (14%) Vitamin C: 17.8mg (22%) Calcium: 114mg (11%) Iron: 2.7mg (15%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine:Middle Eastern
hand holding a gyro
Did you make this?I love seeing what you made. Be sure to share a picture and tag @yourhomebasedmom on social media!
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Originally posted on January 17, 2014

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  1. Onebrightcrayon says

    Posted on 2/17 at 4:29 pm

    I’m very thankful for this recipe. I used it as a base recipe for a quick and easy dinner.
    I used the following groceries from Walmart:
    1.5lbs Beef Bottom Round Steak Stir Fry, presliced
    1 medium onion, sliced
    Minced garlic, jar
    Lemon juice, bottle
    Olive oil for sautéing
    6ct Sams Choice White Greek Style Pita Bread
    16oz Marketside Tzatziki Style Dip (cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, onion)
    9-10oz Marketside Romaine lettuce bag, pre chopped
    1 tomato, sliced
    For an even quicker dinner, I’d use the fresh, prediced onions and tomatoes in the refrigerator section

    This was enough for 2 adults & 1 7yo for dinner and then 2 gyros for my husbands lunch the next day.

    Reply
  2. Seanna says

    Posted on 3/8 at 5:41 am

    I have made this recipe twice, for 2 different groups of people. It is always delicious and well received, I get many compliments, and my picky young son gives it the thumbs up, and make again rating, which is hard to do, and very exciting. I am blown away at how the pumpkin pie spice really puts this recipe over the edge. Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 3/8 at 8:24 am

      Seanna, I am so glad everyone loves it. The pumpkin pie spice addition is the best!!

      Reply
  3. Michelle says

    Posted on 1/20 at 5:25 pm

    This was absolutely wonderful and so easy! I don’t care if it was authentic or not – simply delightful. Our local grocery store carries naan and I can’t imagine substituting pita. Thank you so much for this wonderful addition to my meal rotation. I look forward to more of your recipes!

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    Posted on 1/20 at 4:59 pm

    I would like to eat this for dinner VERY soon. It looks delicious! Your blog is adorable…I love the colors! I am looking forward to the SITS challenge this week!

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 1/20 at 11:06 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Mary!!

      Reply
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