Mediterranean Lamb Gyros with Refreshing Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Elevate your dinner experience with these mouth-watering Mediterranean Lamb Gyros. Made with a savory ground lamb loaf infused with aromatic spices, this dish balances rich flavors with a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce. Prepare the lamb loaf ahead of time for convenience, allowing the spices to meld beautifully. Serve the gyros in warm pita rounds topped with juicy tomatoes and sweet onions, alongside a creamy cucumber sauce that perfectly complements the dish. Your friends and family will love this scrumptious culinary journey straight from the heart of the Mediterranean.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Lamb
1 lb (Raw)
Bread
2 slices (Finely crumbled)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Milk
1/4 cup (Whole)
Onion
1 medium (Minced)
Garlic
1 teaspoon (Minced)
Parsley
1/4 cup (Fresh, chopped)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (Ground)
Dried Mint
1 tablespoon (Crushed)
Dried Oregano
2 teaspoons (Crushed)
Ground Allspice
1/2 teaspoon (Ground)
Cucumbers
2 (Diced)
Sour Cream
1 cup (Regular or low-fat)
Yogurt
1/2 cup (Plain)
Scallions
4 (Sliced)
Lemon Juice
1/2 (Freshly squeezed)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (Kosher or sea salt)
White Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Ground)
Dried Mint (for sauce)
1 teaspoon (Crushed)
Pita Bread
6 rounds (Warmed)
Tomatoes
2 large (Sliced)
White Onion
1 (Thinly sliced)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, crumbled bread, beaten egg, milk, minced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and all seasonings. Mix thoroughly and knead until well combined.
3
Shape the mixture into a loaf approximately 7” x 4”.
4
Place the loaf on a rack to allow for drainage, and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F (82°C).
5
Once baked, allow the lamb loaf to rest for at least 10 minutes. This can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator to be used the following day.
6
To prepare the cucumber yogurt sauce, whisk together diced cucumbers, sour cream, yogurt, sliced scallions, lemon juice, salt, white pepper, and additional dried mint in a bowl. Cover and chill until serving.
7
When ready to serve, slice the lamb loaf into thin pieces. Heat the slices in a flat grill pan over low to medium heat until warmed through.
8
Meanwhile, wrap pita rounds in aluminum foil and place in the oven to warm.
9
To assemble your gyros, place portions of the warm lamb on each warmed pita, and generously add sliced tomatoes and white onions on top.
10
Serve with a generous dollop of the cucumber yogurt sauce on the side, and enjoy immediately!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mediterranean Lamb Gyros?
Mediterranean Lamb Gyros are a flavorful dish featuring a seasoned ground lamb loaf served in pita rounds with tomatoes, onions, and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce.
What is the main protein used in this gyro recipe?
The main protein used in this recipe is one pound of ground lamb.
What oven temperature is required to bake the lamb loaf?
The lamb loaf should be baked in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long does it take to bake the lamb loaf?
The lamb loaf takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour to bake.
What internal temperature should the lamb loaf reach?
The lamb loaf should reach an internal temperature of 180°F (82°C).
How do I prepare the lamb mixture before baking?
Combine ground lamb, crumbled bread, beaten egg, milk, minced onion, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and seasonings, then knead until well combined.
What are the dimensions for shaping the lamb loaf?
The mixture should be shaped into a loaf approximately 7 inches by 4 inches.
Why should the lamb loaf be placed on a rack for baking?
Placing the loaf on a rack allows for proper drainage during the baking process.
How long should the lamb loaf rest after it is finished baking?
The lamb loaf should rest for at least 10 minutes before being served or stored.
Can the lamb loaf be prepared in advance?
Yes, the lamb loaf can be stored in the refrigerator after baking and used the following day.
What ingredients are needed for the cucumber yogurt sauce?
The sauce requires diced cucumbers, sour cream, yogurt, sliced scallions, lemon juice, salt, white pepper, and dried mint.
How should the cucumber yogurt sauce be stored before serving?
The sauce should be covered and chilled in the refrigerator until it is ready to be served.
How do I prepare the lamb for assembly after it has been baked?
Slice the lamb loaf into thin pieces and heat them in a flat grill pan over low to medium heat until warmed through.
What is the best way to warm the pita rounds?
Wrap the pita rounds in aluminum foil and place them in the oven to warm.
What toppings are added to the lamb gyros?
The gyros are topped with sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced white onions.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 servings.
What spices are used to season the ground lamb?
The lamb is seasoned with black pepper, crushed dried mint, crushed dried oregano, and ground allspice.
How should the bread be prepared for the lamb loaf?
The bread should be finely crumbled before being added to the lamb mixture.
Is it okay to use low-fat sour cream for the sauce?
Yes, you can use either regular or low-fat sour cream for the cucumber yogurt sauce.
What type of onions are used in the lamb mixture versus the topping?
Minced medium onion is used in the lamb loaf mixture, while thinly sliced white onion is used as a topping.
What type of parsley is recommended for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of fresh, chopped parsley.
What kind of yogurt is used for the sauce?
The recipe specifies using plain yogurt.
How should the cucumbers be prepared for the sauce?
The two cucumbers should be diced before being added to the sauce.
How much milk is included in the lamb loaf mixture?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of whole milk.
How should the scallions be prepared?
The four scallions should be sliced before being whisked into the sauce.
What is the recommended amount of garlic?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of minced garlic.
Is fresh or dried mint used?
The recipe uses crushed dried mint in both the lamb mixture and the sauce.
What kind of salt is suggested?
The recipe suggests using 3/4 teaspoon of kosher or sea salt.
What type of pepper is used in the sauce?
Ground white pepper is used to season the cucumber yogurt sauce.
How is the lemon juice prepared?
The juice should be freshly squeezed from half of a lemon.