Ultimate Lamb & Beef Gyros
Experience the authentic flavors of Greece with this Ultimate Lamb & Beef Gyros recipe. Marinated and well-seasoned with a blend of spices, this gyro combines tender ground lamb and beef, encased in rich, smoky bacon for an unforgettable taste. Served in warm pita bread with fresh toppings like onions, tomatoes, and creamy tzatziki sauce, this dish is perfect for gatherings or a family meal. Bring the taste of street food into your kitchen and impress your guests with these delicious homemade gyros.
8
Servings
400
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground lamb
1.5 lbs (raw)
Ground beef
1 lb (raw)
Onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
Water
1/3 cup (none)
Salt
1 tablespoon (none)
Sugar
1 tablespoon (none)
Oregano
2 teaspoons (dried)
Black pepper
2 teaspoons (coarsely ground)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (ground)
Cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon (ground)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Garlic
2 cloves (minced)
Vegetable oil
2 teaspoons (none)
Butter
as needed (for frying)
Bacon
8 slices (blanched)
Pita bread
8 pieces (none)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, combine salt, oregano, black pepper, cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon to create a spice mixture.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb and beef with the chopped onions. Add the prepared spice mixture, minced garlic, and vegetable oil. Use your hands to mix everything together until the spices are evenly distributed. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight to enhance flavors.
3
To check the seasoning, fry a small amount of the meat mixture in a skillet with a little butter. Adjust the seasoning as needed according to your taste.
4
Blanch the bacon slices by simmering them in hot water for about 3 minutes, then drain them on paper towels to remove excess moisture.
5
Line an 8 1/2 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan with the blanched bacon, covering the sides and bottom completely.
6
Pack the meat mixture tightly into the prepared loaf pan, ensuring it fills to the top. Cover with the remaining bacon slices.
7
Prepare a hot water bath by placing the filled loaf pan into a larger baking dish filled with hot water, reaching about 3/4 of the way up the sides of the loaf pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-30 minutes. After the initial baking time, reduce the temperature to 325°F (160°C) and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
8
Once baked, carefully remove the pan from the oven and the hot water bath. Cool the loaf pan on a wire rack at room temperature.
9
Cover the gyros loaf with aluminum foil and place a weight (about 2 lbs) on top to compress the loaf. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 12 hours or overnight to ripen and enhance flavor.
10
After chilling, remove the weight and foil, then slice the gyros meat very thinly. Serve stuffed in warm pita bread with sliced onions, fresh tomatoes, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition Information
29g
Fat
10g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of meat are used in these gyros?
This recipe uses a combination of 1.5 lbs of ground lamb and 1 lb of ground beef.
How much ground lamb is required?
The recipe requires 1.5 lbs of raw ground lamb.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe requires 1 lb of raw ground beef.
What is the purpose of the bacon in this recipe?
The bacon is used to line the loaf pan, providing a smoky flavor and helping to encase the meat mixture.
How long should I blanch the bacon?
The bacon slices should be blanched by simmering them in hot water for about 3 minutes.
Why do I need to blanch the bacon?
Blanching the bacon removes excess moisture and softens it so it can properly line the loaf pan.
What spices are included in the gyro spice mixture?
The mixture includes salt, dried oregano, black pepper, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and ground cinnamon.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of salt.
Is there any sugar in the gyro meat?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 tablespoon of sugar in the ingredient list.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe uses 2 minced cloves of garlic.
How long should the meat mixture marinate?
The meat should be refrigerated for several hours or overnight to enhance the flavors.
How can I test if the seasoning is correct before baking?
You can fry a small amount of the meat mixture in a skillet with butter and adjust the spices as needed based on the taste.
What size loaf pan should I use?
An 8 1/2 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan is recommended.
How should I prepare the loaf pan?
Line the bottom and sides of the pan completely with the blanched bacon slices.
What is a hot water bath in this context?
A hot water bath involves placing the loaf pan into a larger baking dish filled with hot water that reaches 3/4 of the way up the sides of the pan.
What is the initial baking temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C) for the first stage of baking.
How long is the initial bake time?
The initial baking time is 20-30 minutes.
What is the second baking temperature?
After the initial bake, reduce the temperature to 325°F (160°C).
How long is the second baking stage?
The loaf should bake for an additional 30 minutes at the lower temperature.
Why is a weight placed on the gyro loaf?
A weight is used to compress the loaf, which helps it ripen and ensures a dense texture suitable for thin slicing.
How heavy should the weight be?
The recipe suggests using a weight of about 2 lbs.
How long must the gyro loaf chill before serving?
It needs to be refrigerated for at least 12 hours or overnight.
How should the gyro meat be sliced?
The meat should be sliced very thinly after it has been properly chilled and compressed.
What are the recommended toppings for the gyros?
Serve the meat in warm pita bread with sliced onions, fresh tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 30g of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 29g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 10g of carbohydrates.
Is vegetable oil used in the meat mix?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil are mixed into the ground meat and spices.