Authentic Greek Lamb Gyro Delight
Experience the rich flavors of Greece with this Authentic Greek Lamb Gyro Delight, perfect for a festive grill party or a cozy meal at home. Inspired by traditional Greek cuisine, this recipe features tender, marinated lamb cubes that are grilled to perfection and served in warm pita bread. Accompanied by fresh toppings such as crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and tangy pickled onions, each bite is a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The homemade garlic and herb yogurt sauce adds a creamy finish, making this gyro an irresistible treat for any gathering. While it requires some preparation, the end result is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings for authentic Mediterranean fare!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lamb
2 lbs (Use lean, boneless lamb meat cut into 1-inch cubes)
Olive Oil
1/3 cup (N/A)
Lemon Juice
1/2 cup (N/A)
Garlic Cloves
3 total (2 peeled and quartered for marinade, 1 peeled and minced for yogurt sauce)
Fresh Thyme Leaves
1 teaspoon (Chopped)
Fresh Oregano
1 teaspoon (Chopped, plus 1 teaspoon more for yogurt sauce)
Ground Black Pepper
To taste (N/A)
Red Onions
2 large (Cut into thinly sliced rings)
Romaine Lettuce Leaves
24 small (Washed and dried)
Pita Bread Rounds
12 large (N/A)
Tomatoes
3 (Ripe, sliced into thin wedges)
Plain Yogurt or Thick Greek Yogurt
2 cups (Use prep instruction to thicken if needed)
Salt
To taste (N/A)
Instructions
1
Prepare the marinade in advance by combining olive oil, lemon juice, quartered garlic cloves, chopped thyme, chopped oregano, and ground black pepper in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside 1/4 cup of this marinade to use later for the onions.
2
Place the cubed lamb in the bowl with the remaining marinade, ensuring it is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate the marinated lamb overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
3
On the day of the BBQ, toss the sliced red onions in the reserved marinade. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the onions absorb the flavors.
4
If using plain yogurt, prepare a thicker yogurt sauce by lining a medium bowl with cheesecloth and spooning in the yogurt. Tie the cheesecloth securely, suspend it over a bowl, and allow it to drain for several hours until thickened. Skip this step if you have access to thick Greek yogurt.
5
In a separate bowl, mix the thickened yogurt (or thick Greek yogurt) with minced garlic, chopped fresh oregano, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
6
When you're ready to grill, preheat your gas or charcoal grill. Stack the pita bread in two piles of six and wrap each in aluminum foil, dull side facing out.
7
Remove the marinated lamb from the refrigerator, discarding any large garlic pieces. Thread the cubes onto greased skewers, then grill over a preheated grill, keeping them about 4 inches from the heat source. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, turning and basting with reserved marinade frequently until the lamb is nicely browned on the outside yet remains pink on the inside.
8
While the lamb grills, warm the wrapped pita rounds on the barbecue until heated through.
9
To serve, lift the marinated onions from their bowl with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving dish. Cut the tomatoes into wedges and arrange them alongside the lettuce leaves on a platter. Set out the yogurt sauce and plenty of napkins for easy serving.
10
To assemble each gyro, cut the warmed pita rounds in half and open them to form pockets. Fill each pocket with grilled lamb cubes, followed by fresh lettuce, tomato wedges, and pickled onions. Top generously with the creamy yogurt sauce and enjoy your homemade Authentic Greek Lamb Gyro Delight!
Nutrition Information
20
Carbs
20
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of meat is used in the Authentic Greek Lamb Gyro Delight?
This recipe uses 2 lbs of lean, boneless lamb meat cut into 1-inch cubes.
How long should I marinate the lamb?
The lamb should be marinated in the refrigerator overnight to allow the flavors to fully meld.
How do I prepare the marinade?
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, quartered garlic cloves, chopped thyme, chopped oregano, and ground black pepper in a medium-sized bowl.
Why do I need to reserve some of the marinade?
You reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade to toss with the sliced red onions later.
How long do the red onions need to marinate?
The sliced red onions should be marinated for several hours on the day of the BBQ.
What if I do not have thick Greek yogurt for the sauce?
You can thicken plain yogurt by draining it in cheesecloth suspended over a bowl for several hours.
What ingredients are in the homemade yogurt sauce?
The sauce contains thickened yogurt, minced garlic, chopped fresh oregano, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
How should I prep the pita bread for the grill?
Stack the pita bread in two piles of six and wrap each pile in aluminum foil with the dull side facing out.
How long does the lamb take to cook on the grill?
The lamb cubes should be grilled for approximately 10 minutes, turning and basting frequently.
How do I know when the grilled lamb is done?
The lamb is ready when it is nicely browned on the outside but still remains pink on the inside.
What fresh toppings are recommended for these gyros?
The recommended toppings are crisp romaine lettuce, tomato wedges, and marinated red onions.
How do I assemble the final gyro?
Cut the warmed pita in half to form pockets, then fill with grilled lamb, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, topping with yogurt sauce.
How many calories are in a serving of this gyro?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This recipe provides 20 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 20 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How many pita rounds are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 large pita bread rounds.
What kind of lettuce is used?
The recipe specifically uses 24 small romaine lettuce leaves.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
Three ripe tomatoes should be sliced into thin wedges.
Should I remove the garlic from the marinade before grilling?
Yes, you should discard the large garlic pieces from the marinade before threading the lamb onto skewers.
What herbs are used in the lamb marinade?
The marinade uses fresh chopped thyme leaves and fresh chopped oregano.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of olive oil for the marinade plus additional for the yogurt sauce.
How much lemon juice is needed in total?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of lemon juice for the marinade plus additional for the yogurt sauce.
Is this recipe suitable for a party?
Yes, it is described as perfect for a festive grill party or a cozy meal at home.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
A total of 3 garlic cloves are used: 2 for the marinade and 1 for the yogurt sauce.
What should I do with the skewers before adding the meat?
The skewers should be greased before threading the marinated lamb cubes onto them.
How far from the heat source should the lamb be grilled?
The lamb should be kept about 4 inches from the heat source during grilling.
What type of onion is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 large red onions cut into thinly sliced rings.
Can I use dry herbs if fresh are unavailable?
While the recipe specifies fresh herbs, dry herbs can be used as a substitute in smaller quantities.
Is the salt amount specified?
Salt is added to taste in the yogurt sauce and assembly.
What is the primary cuisine style of this dish?
This is an authentic Mediterranean dish inspired by traditional Greek cuisine.