Lamb gyros, a delectable dish with origins rooted in the culinary traditions of Greece, offer a tantalizing blend of flavors and textures. Consisting of succulent lamb meat roasted on a vertical rotisserie, this culinary masterpiece is a ubiquitous street food delight in Greece and beyond, captivating taste buds with its savory and aromatic charm. Gyros are typically served wrapped in pita bread, accompanied by an array of tantalizing toppings, fresh vegetables, and sauces, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that will leave you craving for more. Embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of crafting the perfect lamb gyros, exploring the intricacies of selecting the ideal cut of lamb, the art of marinating for maximum flavor, and the techniques for achieving the perfect level of doneness.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
LIZZY217'S LAMB GYROS
This is my take on the Greek gyros sandwiches you can find at many counter-service restaurants.
Provided by LIZZY217
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Greek
Time 13h40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Whisk together the vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, brandy, crushed garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, and oregano in a bowl, and pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the cubed lamb, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 12 to 24 hours.
- Once the meat has finished marinating, remove from the refrigerator, and allow to stand at room temperature for 1 hour. While the meat is warming up, prepare the tzatziki sauce by whisking together the yogurt and cucumber in a mixing bowl along with 1 clove of minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Wrap the sauce with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Remove the lamb cubes from the marinade, and squeeze off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Spray a broiling pan with cooking spray, thread the meat onto the skewers, and place the skewers onto the prepared pan.
- Broil under the preheated broiler to your desired degree of doneness, turning every few minutes so the meat cooks evenly. It should take about 10 minutes to cook the meat to medium-well.
- To assemble the sandwiches, cook each pocket bread in a microwave on high until hot, 20 to 30 seconds each. Split each piece in half, and open up the pockets. Divide the tomato and onion slices among the pocket bread halves. Stuff with shredded lettuce, then fill with the broiled lamb. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese, and top with the tzatziki sauce to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 698.3 calories, Carbohydrate 67.6 g, Cholesterol 76.8 mg, Fat 32.1 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 29.1 g, SaturatedFat 11.6 g, Sodium 2131.1 mg, Sugar 9.6 g
GREEK GRILLED LEG OF LAMB: GYROS
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h52m
Yield 16 servings
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- With a sharp knife, make 20 slits across 1 side of the lamb and insert the garlic slivers. Place in a large non-reactive dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour over the lamb and rub evenly across the surface. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate, refrigerated, for at least 2 and up to 6 hours, turning occasionally.
- Remove from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature. Season lightly on all sides with Essence. Brush a grill lightly with olive oil and preheat to medium heat.
- Remove the lamb from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook, turning occasionally until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F for medium-rare, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the grill and transfer to a platter. Tent with foil and let rest for 12 minutes before carving.
- Thinly slice the lamb and place the meat in the center of the pita breads. Top with Tzatziki Sauce and chopped tomatoes, and serve.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
- In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients and chill for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry.
SOUTH AUSSIE LAMB YIROS (OR GYROS, SOUVLAKI, KEBABS, DONER KABAB
This is a Greek street food that is very popular in Australia. In each state you will find it called something different however South Australia seems to be the only one to use the term 'yiros'. It is a popular late-night feast after a big night 'on the grog'. The standard salad ingredients are lettuce, raw onion and tomato topped with a garlic (but not tzatziki) sauce. Tabbouli, cheese and chili sauce are also popular fillings as are chicken, beef and falafels. Which ever meat is used it is cooked by stacking thin slices of marinated meat on a vertical skewer which turns in front of a heat source. The meat is then carved vertically from the skewer so the meat is in very thin shards. This is my version. I have used tzatziki as I have yet to discover the secret of South Aussie garlic sauce! Australian measurements used.
Provided by auntchelle
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 45m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Slice lamb into very thin strips. Place in a plastic bag together with the olive oil and nostimini blend. Massage to make sure the oil and nostimini has coated all of the meat. Allow to marinate for minimum of 30 minutes.
- While lamb marinates thinly slice tomato and onion. Shred lettuce. Set aside in fridge.
- Cut 2 foil sheets 10cm (4") larger all around that your pita bread. Cut 2 baking paper sheets the same size as the pita. Place one sheet of baking paper on top of each sheet of foil.
- Heat 2 frypans to med-hot.
- Lightly spray one side of a pita with cooking spray and place this side down on one fry pan. Spray the other pan with cooking spray and stir-fry half the meat until cooked. (Do not allow to stew - crusty bits are good.).
- When meat is ready remove from heat. Place one foil/paper stack on a plate.
- Working quickly, remove pita from heat and place on the paper with toasted side up.
- Now place the meat then half the salad items and tzatziki down the middle of the pita. Use the paper to tightly roll each side of the pita into the centre ensuring one side crosses the other. Roll package in the foil. Twist the bottom of the foil to catch the juices.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Serve with plenty of napkins!
ROASTED LEG OF LAMB (GYROS)
Steps:
- Finely chop up 1/2 of the garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. Mash the garlic and salt together with the flat-side of a knife into a paste. Add the oregano and continue to mash until incorporated. Put the garlic-oregano paste in a small bowl, add the lemon juice and 1 cup of olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Slice the remaining garlic into thin slivers.
- Put the lamb on a large platter, and trim any excess fat. Cut the lamb in 1/2 lengthwise so you have 2 large pieces. Make slits all over the meat with a sharp knife, and push the garlic slivers inside. Rub 1/2 of the garlic-oregano paste all over the lamb and season the meat with salt and pepper. Roll up each piece of lamb lengthwise and tie with butcher's twine to hold the roasts together. Put the lamb on a large platter and slather with the remaining garlic-oregano paste. Marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Wipe off the excess paste from the lamb so it won't burn in the oven. Place a large roasting pan over 2 burners on medium-high flame and coat with a fair amount of olive oil. Put the lamb roasts in the roasting pan and sear to form a nice brown crust on all sides. Transfer the pan (and lamb) to the oven and roast for 1 to 1 1/2 hours; it should be pink in the center and the internal temperature reads 130 degrees F. Allow the lamb to stand 10 minutes to let the juices settle before and slicing.
- Cut off the butcher's twine and thinly slice the lamb. Place the meat in the center of the pita breads. Top with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and tzatziki.
- Put all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and combine with a fork. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to marry.
LAMB GYROS
I found a gyro recipe and completely tweaked it to be more to my taste, and it turned out great! TammieV's Gyro Sauce is great on it! Recipe #57747
Provided by Abi Fae
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 50m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat olive oil over medium high heat; add onions and garlic and saute for five minutes. Add red pepper flakes. Add lamb and cook until there is no pink left.
- In a small bowl, combine the parmesan cheese, oregano, cumin, and pepper. Mix, and add to lamb, stirring well to evenly coat the lamb.
- Cook for five minutes, then add the sliced mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes. Cook until fully heated.
- Serve on flatbread or pita bread: sprinkle feta cheese and olives to taste (about one ounce of each), add the lamb mixture. Add a cucumber sauce if you like, and serve.
EASY LAMB AND BEEF KABOBS OR GYROS
I wanted gyro meat that tasted like the kind in the Greek restaurants. I wound up combining ingredients from 3 different recipes and was amazed at the awesome result! It smelled so good even before it hit the grill.The "easy" part is that you can just throw this on the grill, broil, bake or pan fry it. It's also easy because I buy the Tzatziki sauce, Quinoa tabouli, spanikopita appetizers and hummus at Costco and I have a ready-made meal for my family or a larger crowd. I also serve with split Pita breads and we make our own gyros with sliced garden tomato and sweet onion.
Provided by Gina Farina
Categories Meat
Time 55m
Yield 12 kebobs, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes while you prepare the meat mixture.
- In a large bowl, combine all the other ingredients. Mix well with hands (use rubber gloves).
- Dry off the skewers so they aren't dripping wet, then form an oblong "sausage" around the skewer, securing firmly.
- Cover and refrigerate skewered meat for 30 minutes.
- If possible, use a veggie or fish grill (that has a smaller grate); brush or spray grill grate with oil.
- Set grill to medium-off-medium and grill each side for 5 minutes, turning only once, or until the outside of the meat is charred and the inside is medium.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 385.2, Fat 29.2, SaturatedFat 12.2, Cholesterol 106.7, Sodium 679.5, Carbohydrate 1.9, Fiber 0.6, Sugar 0.2, Protein 27
GROUND LAMB GYROS WITH CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE
Make your ground lamb loaf the day before, then slice and heat to serve with tomato and sweet onion, on warmed pita rounds, with this fantastic cucumber / yogurt sauce.
Provided by Leos Mom
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time 1h25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 deg.
- FOR THE LAMB LOAF.
- Combine lamb, bread, egg, milk, onion, garlic, parsley and seasonings in mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, kneading. Shape mixture into a 7" X 4"loaf.
- Place loaf on rack for drainage and bake.
- 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until temp of 180 deg. Allow the loaf to rest. Can be used at this time to make your gyros, or covered and stored in the frig until the next day.
- FOR THE SAUCE.
- Whisk together the cucumbers, sour cream, yogurt, green onions, lemon juice, salt, white pepper and mint. Store in frig until serving time.
- HEATING AND ASSEMBLING GYROS.
- Put slices of the lamb loaf on a flat grill pan and heat on low to medium heat. Meanwhile, put pita rounds between two sheets of aluminum foil, crimp the edges, and put in oven to warm.
- Put portions of the hot meat on the warmed pita round, and pile the sweet onion slices and tomatoes on top. Serve the gyro with a generous side dish of the cucumber / yogurt sauce. Serve immediately.
BEST HOMEMADE LAMB GYROS
After trying several other recipes and being disappointed, I've experimented multiple times to come up with this version. The meat is tender, flavorful, and pretty darn close to what you get at a very good Greek restaurant. I usually use lamb necks, which are very economical... but it does take some work to get the meat off the bones, and the yield is only about 50%. You need a good food processor and a grill to make this recipe!! Please note that you need to start at least two days before serving.. and three days is better. My fussy 5 year old LOVES this gyros even though she won't touch a hamburger.
Provided by MarySC
Categories Lamb/Sheep
Time P2DT1h
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Two to three days before:.
- Cut the meat into small cubes, removing only large pieces of fat. Grind rosemary until fine, add the garlic, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon zest (fine grated from one lemon) and process a bit. Do not add the onion!
- Place the meat and spice mixture in a plastic bag, mix well, seal tightly and chill, turning now and then.
- 8 to 18 hours before serving:.
- Coarsely chop the onion and process it in the food processor until it is mushy with no onion pieces in it. Pour it out onto a clean fine weave cloth, gather the cloth up around the onion and squeeze out the liquid very well until the onion is very dry.
- Working in batches, grind the meat cubes in the food processor until finely ground. Add the onion to all the meat and mix well. Then re-process in batches until the mixture is reduced to a fluffy paste -- this may take two or more minutes per batch. Knead the meat mixture very well, form into a compact log 8-10 inches long with blunt ends, and wrap very tightly in plastic wrap (see picture). Chill for 3 to 18 hours.
- 1.5 to 2 hours before serving:.
- Remove plastic wrap and re-wrap tightly in foil. Put on indirect heat on the BBQ 375-400 degrees, turning every 15-20 minutes for about 60-70 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees. Remove from grill and leave in foil for at least 20 minutes. Final temperature should be 160-165.
- Slice very thin horizontal slices. If you like your gyros meat crispy, saute the slices in a hot skillet for a few minutes before serving (I like mine soft, so I just zap it very briefly if I need to warm it up!).
- Serve with tzatziki (try #59336) and warm pita.
LAMB GYROS WITH CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE
Steps:
- Mix yogurt, cucumber, grated onion, first garlic clove and sugar in mixing bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 mins. In a large bowl, mix lamb, remaining garlic and seasonings and shape into 2 large patties and broil until cooked through. Carve each into slices and serve in pita with onions, tomatoes and yogurt sauce.
LAMB MEATBALL GYROS WITH YOGURT AND MINT
Steps:
- Place an oven rack in the second-highest position and heat broiler. Combine the lamb, raisins, cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, the bread crumbs, egg, and three-quarters of the scallions in a large bowl. Shape the mixture into golf ball?size meatballs and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil, turning once, until cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total. Divide the flat bread among individual plates and top with the meatballs, yogurt, mint, and the remaining scallions.
SESAME LAMB 'GYROS'
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame paste, yogurt, lemon juice and garlic until smooth. Fold in the cucumbers and season. Spread the 'tzatziki' on the pita and lay warm lamb and tomato slices on top. Spread more 'tzatziki' on the tomatoes and garnish with sesame seeds.
- Plating: Slice in half and serve.
Tips:
- Choose the right lamb: For the most flavorful gyros, use a well-marbled cut of lamb, such as the shoulder or leg.
- Marinate the lamb: Marinating the lamb in a mixture of yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs will help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.
- Cook the lamb slowly: Lamb gyros are traditionally cooked on a vertical spit, but you can also cook them in a slow cooker or oven. Cooking the lamb slowly will help to keep it moist and juicy.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will have a big impact on the flavor of your gyros. Use fresh, ripe vegetables and herbs, and avoid using processed or pre-packaged foods.
- Serve the gyros with your favorite toppings: Gyros can be served with a variety of toppings, such as tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and feta cheese. Experiment with different toppings to find your favorite combination.
Conclusion:
Lamb gyros are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make lamb gyros at home that are just as good as the ones you get from your favorite Greek restaurant. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give lamb gyros a try!
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