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This delicious Beef Gyros recipe has all of the amazing Middle Eastern flavor and is made in your cast iron skillet at home!
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.
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.
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
- Parsley
- Salt and Pepper
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make beef gyros in the Instant Pot?
Sauté 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 and turn the steam valve to sealing. Use the meat/stew preset cook time (30 minutes), then do a natural release.
How do 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). Cook on high for 3 1/2 – 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours.
For other delicious recipes try these:
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Beef Gyro
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:
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.
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The Funster says
Leigh Anne,
First of all, I really like the whole concept of “Family Home Evening”. In the New Testament Jesus Christ had many encounters over meals where he shared great truths from God’s Word. So it’s definitely a great time to build those relationships. But also, I love the recipe for Middle Eastern Beef Gyro with Tzaziki Sauce! This sounds very tasty and pretty easy to put together. Thank you for a great post!
kathy e krafft says
tzatziki sauce does not have tomatoes or onions in it or red wine for that matter, the rest of the recipe sounds right . The ingredients are layered meat, veggies, then tzatziki sauce. It is so much better layered. It is not mixed until it gets in your mouth and chewed.
Tanya says
I saw this on Pinterest and had to come check it out. It looks so good.
Cassi says
Never would’ve thought to use pumpkin pie spice for a gyro!
Janette says
My stake has a monthly FHE for all the empty nesters and “older” singles. Your FHE sounds a lot more fun! I might have to get a group together from the ward. Thanks for the great idea.