Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (2024)

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This Gyro Salad is filled with savory flavors, feta cheese, homemade gyro meat, and a delicious tzatziki dressing.

This recipe is a Trim Healthy Mama S recipe, but is also low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free!

Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (1)

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This is a recipe my husband has been wanting to develop for well over a year.

Gyros are kind of his thing. (I had never even heard of gyros until I met him!)

I’ve never even eaten a 100% authentic Greek gyro, but he has, and declares they are one of his favorite things!

Of course, following the Trim Healthy Mama plan, traditional gyro flatbreads are not on plan. (Check out the ideas below for a more traditional gyro.)

Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (2)

How to make your own Gyro meat

The idea of a gyro salad was very appealing to my husband, and he began to do research on how to make his own gyro meat.

The methods vary a bit, but pretty much everyone agrees that you need to process the meat in a food processor so the meat thoroughly mixed.

Most methods also recommend placing a heavy object on the meat after it comes out of the oven, to compress it.

Then after the meat has baked, it must rest for an hour or two, then you thinly slice the meat and pan-fry it in a bit of oil.

This makes the edges of the meat perfectly crispy.

The steps may be a bit involved, but it makes a good amount of meat, and the meat keeps well in the fridge.

I love making this for supper, then I have leftover gyro meat and tzatziki sauce for lunches during the week.

For our testing, we used 1 ½ Pounds of burger (we actually used elk, but hamburger is fine) and ½ Pound of ground lamb. More traditional meat would use all lamb.

But if lamb is not in your budget, you can use all burger, or perhaps even use some turkey burger!

All of that to say, the gyro meat part of this recipe is my husband’s creation. The tzatziki sauce/dressing is my creation.

You could add whatever additional toppings you want for your salad. I used feta, onions, and olives, but cherry tomatoes would be a great addition as well.

Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (3)

How to make Greek Tzatziki Dressing

The tzatziki sauce is more of a dressing, because it is much thinner than traditional tzatziki.

If you wanted it to be thick, you could place your grated cucumbers in a cheesecloth and squeeze all of the water out of them. Then, instead of blending in a blender, you can just mix all the ingredients with a spoon.

This would give you more of a traditional tzatziki sauce, which is very thick.

If you are a Trim Healthy Mama, you could also have a more traditional style gyro using the Joseph’s Pitas, or you could try this keto naan.

Simply layer the lettuce, gyro meat and toppings, then drizzle with the tzatziki sauce.

I have eaten them that way a couple of times, and it was amazing!

Even my children loved this salad, so it is family approved!

Ingredients needed for Greek Gyro Salad

Gyro Meat:

2 Pounds Burger (we used 1.5 pounds elk and ½ pound lamb)

5 Slices Bacon (raw)

¾ of a Large Onion

1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

1 Tablespoon Ground Rosemary

1 Tablespoon Marjoram

1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika

1 Teaspoon Cumin

1 Teaspoon Dried Dill Weed

2 Teaspoons Mineral Salt

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Coconut oil, for frying the gyro meat

Tzatziki Sauce:

1 Large English Cucumber

1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 Teaspoon Garlic, Minced

½ Teaspoon Dried Dill Weed

½ Teaspoon Mineral Salt

2 ½ Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice

Salad Ingredients:

Lettuce of choice

Red onions, sliced

Feta Cheese

Olives

Cherry Tomatoes

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Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (4)

Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (5)

Greek Gyro Salad

This Gyro Salad is filled with savory flavors, feta cheese, homemade gyro meat, and a delicious tzatziki dressing.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: main, Salad

Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories: 383kcal

Ingredients

Gyro Meat:

Tzatziki Dressing:

  • 1 Large English Cucumber
  • 1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic, Minced
  • ½ Teaspoon Dried Dill Weed
  • ½ Teaspoon Mineral Salt
  • 2 ½ Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice

Salad Ingredients:

  • Lettuce of choice
  • Red onions, sliced
  • Feta Cheese
  • Kalamata Olives
  • Cherry Tomatoes

Instructions

Make the Gyro Meat:

  • Preheat oven to 325.

  • In a food processor, process the onion until completely broken down.

  • Add bacon and process again until the bacon is mixed with the onion.

  • Add burger (or lamb) and spices and process for about two minutes, until everything is completely mixed. (It will look like a paste of sorts.)

  • Divide meat mixture between two loaf pans.

  • Place loaf pans into a 9x13 dish and fill dish halfway with water. (This creates a water bath for the meat mixture.)

  • Bake for 60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

  • As soon as you remove the meat from the oven, cover with a bit of parchment paper, and set something heavy on top of the meat (think cans of vegetables, glass jars of peanut butter . . . ).

  • Let rest for 30 minutes, then move to the refrigerator and refrigerate for 45 minutes to an hour.

  • Place chilled gyro meat on a cutting board and slice as thinly as possible.

  • Place 1 - 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil in a skillet and heat over medium heat. Fry gyro meat in hot oil until browned and a bit crispy around the edges, flipping meat part way through. (This only takes a moment or two.)

  • Remove meat from skillet and drain on paper towels.

  • Continue frying meat in batches, adding more coconut oil as needed.

Make the Dressing:

  • Place all the ingredients in a blender and process until well blended.

  • (Peeling the cucumber is optional. I do not, but if the skin seems tough, you would want to peel it. Processing in the blender makes this a very thin dressing. If you want your dressing to be a little thicker, grate the cucumber, place it in a cheesecloth and squeeze to remove all the excess water. Then stir ingredients together with a wooden spoon, instead of processing in the blender.)

For the Salad:

  • Assemble salads as desired (with added toppings), then top with fried gyro meat and dressing.

Notes

This recipe makes enough for 8 servings. A little of the meat goes a long way, as it is so savory.

This would give you approximately 7 - 8 slices of meat and a little over ⅓ cup of dressing per serving. Of course, if you would like more than that, that is fine as well!

Nutritional information is calculated for ⅛ of the meat and ⅓ cup of dressing. Optional toppings are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 29g | Fiber: 1g

Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (6)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Jo

    Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (11)
    Yet another recipe that doesn’t disappoint! Thank you!!

    Reply

  2. Kim H

    Sounds delicious! However, we don’t eat pork. Is there a substitute you can recommend to replace the bacon? Thank you.

    Reply

    • Sarah Hardy

      You could leave the bacon out, and perhaps add a few drops of liquid smoke for flavor.

      Reply

  3. Marcie

    That is a lot of ground meat to only get 7-8 thin slices of meat...What am I missing? Can I use more lamb or is it better with your ratio?

    Reply

    • Marcie

      My mistake..just saw it is 7-8 slices per serving!

      Reply

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Greek Gyro Salad Recipe | My Montana Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is a gyro salad made of? ›

Add mixed greens to a bowl. Add onions, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese. Top with cooked gyro slices. Add a dollop of yogurt sauce on top and drizzle with salad dressing.

What is the difference between Greek gyros and American gyros? ›

In Greece, gyros is normally made with pork, though other meats are used in other countries. Chicken is common, and lamb or beef may be found more rarely. Typical American mass-produced gyros are made with finely ground beef mixed with lamb.

How do you assemble a Greek gyro? ›

To assemble the sandwiches, generously spread tzatziki in the center of 4 rounds flatbread or in the pocket of the pita. Add 1 lettuce leaf, some sliced tomato, and a few thin onion slices to each flatbread or pita. Add the patty and fold the bread over the meat.

Is a gyro salad healthy? ›

It's a healthy, fresh choice for lunch or dinner! Greek food tends to be fairly light, refreshing, and it has a really unique flavor. If you enjoy the flavors in this salad, you'll want to try Grilled Chicken Pitas and Greek Meatballs!

Why are gyros unhealthy? ›

One of the main concerns about gyro meat is its relatively high fat content, especially when made with lamb or a combination of lamb and beef. Saturated fat, in particular, increases LDL cholesterol levels and elevates the risk of heart disease. However, this issue can be mitigated by choosing leaner meat options.

What does a Greek gyro have in it? ›

Thinly slice the cooked gyro meat loaf. Spread 1 tablespoon hummus onto each pita bread. Then top each with some of the gyro meat slices, shredded lettuce, tomato slices, red onion slices, feta cheese crumbles, and 2 tablespoons tzatziki sauce to complete each sandwich.

What is the Mexican version of gyros? ›

It is believed that the Mexican Al pastor originated from the Arab's shawarma grilled meats. Having been derived from such a cooking style, tacos al pastor is similar to the Turkish döner kebab and Greek gyros.

What makes gyros so good? ›

The pita bread is wrapped around the meat and veggies for flavor, then topped with a tasty tzatziki sauce. A sprinkle of Greek smoked paprika on top makes the gyro even more authentic. If you are in a hurry and haven't eaten all day, sometimes a sandwich is the perfect meal.

What is most gyro meat made of? ›

In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.

How to cut tomatoes for a gyro? ›

Slice the tomatoes into thin wedges. Optional - sprinkle with salt.

What is Greek gyro sauce made of? ›

Tzatziki is a creamy cucumber yogurt dip (or sauce) made from simple ingredients including strained yogurt (or Greek yogurt), cucumbers, garlic, and sometimes fresh herbs such as dill or mint. Traditionally, it is made from strained sheep or goat's milk yogurt, but a full-fat Greek yogurt works just fine in this dip.

What bread is best for gyros? ›

This greek pita bread is fluffy, soft, and delicious. After you will make this greek pita bread recipe, you will never want to buy store-bought pita bread. This homemade greek pita bread requires only a few simple ingredients that you probably have lying around in your kitchen.

Why is Greek salad ever so good for you? ›

Greek salad is brimming with antioxidants like lycopene from tomatoes, polyphenols from olives, and vitamin C from bell peppers. These compounds combat free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and supporting youthful skin.

Are gyros anti inflammatory? ›

For instance, oregano, a common herb used in Gyros marinades, is rich in antioxidants that help to fight inflammation and protect the body against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Gyros is also rich in fiber, thanks to the vegetables that are served with it.

Are gyros good for diabetics? ›

Gyro meat is also low in carbohydrates, so it won't spike up your blood sugar levels, which is ideal for those on a keto diet. Gyro meat's low carbohydrate content can help to manage blood sugar levels. This is especially beneficial for people with diabetes, as it can help to prevent blood sugar spikes.

What kind of meat is gyro mean? ›

Made with stacked meat that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie, "gyro" means "round" in Greek. In Greece, gyros are traditionally made with pork, but chicken is also common, and the slices of meat are stacked on a spit. American gyros, meanwhile, are typically made from a loaf comprised of ground beef and lamb.

What is gyro meat cut off of? ›

A Flavorful, Juicy Gyro Meat Recipe

Traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, gyro meat is a juicy, extremely flavorful cone-of-meat (usually lamb, or lamb and beef) that's seasoned with salt, herbs and spices and then sliced to order.

What is gyro slices made of? ›

What is gyro meat made of? It is typically made with ground lamb and/or ground beef (and sometimes chicken), onion, garlic, oregano, and other spices. This recipe adds bacon for texture and flavor and uses a convenient, but non-traditional cooking method.

What is Greek salad made of? ›

A traditional Greek salad consists of sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. This classic combination is delicious, so I stick to it, just adding a handful of mint leaves for a fresh finishing touch.

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