Zesty Gyros Spice Blend with Heat
Elevate your meals with this vibrant Zesty Gyros Spice Blend featuring a delightful kick of heat. Perfect for marinating meats like chicken, lamb, or pork, this mix offers a rich combination of herbs and spices that create a mouthwatering flavor profile. If you're sensitive to spice, feel free to omit the chili powder for a milder, yet equally exquisite blend. Notably, this seasoning contains no added salt, allowing you to control the sodium level in your dishes. For an added burst of freshness, consider mixing in chopped coriander leaves when marinating smaller pieces of meat. Recommended marinating times can range from 20 minutes to 24 hours, and for a creamier texture, feel free to incorporate buttermilk or yogurt along with lemon juice. Enjoy this spice blend as a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, enhancing everything from kebabs to flavorful burgers.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
chili powder
2 tablespoons (ground)
ground coriander
1 tablespoon (ground)
ground cumin
1 tablespoon (ground)
paprika
1/2 tablespoon (hot or sweet)
garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon (ground)
dried parsley
1 tablespoon (dried)
dried oregano
2 teaspoons (dried)
dried thyme
2 teaspoons (dried)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (ground)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the chili powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano, dried thyme, and ground cinnamon.
2
Stir the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
3
Transfer the spice blend into a small, airtight jar for storage. This can be kept in a cool, dark place for several months.
4
When ready to use, mix a few teaspoons of the spice blend with fresh lemon or lime juice, olive oil, and salt to taste in a separate bowl.
5
Toss your chosen meat—whether it be chicken, lamb, or pork—in the marinade, ensuring it is evenly coated. For kebabs or burgers, incorporate the spice blend directly into the minced or ground meat along with a pinch of salt.
6
Allow the meat to marinate for at least 20 minutes, but up to 24 hours for deeper flavor infusion before cooking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Zesty Gyros Spice Blend?
It is a vibrant, salt-free seasoning mix featuring a combination of herbs and spices with a kick of heat, designed specifically for Greek-style dishes.
What meats are compatible with this spice blend?
This blend is perfect for marinating chicken, lamb, or pork, and can also be used in kebabs or burgers.
How can I make this spice blend milder?
If you are sensitive to heat, you can easily omit the chili powder to create a milder yet flavorful blend.
Does this seasoning contain salt?
No, this spice blend contains no added salt, allowing you to control the sodium level of your dish manually.
How should I store the Zesty Gyros Spice Blend?
Transfer the mixture into a small, airtight jar and keep it in a cool, dark place.
How long does the spice blend stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container in a cool place, the blend can be kept for several months.
How do I prepare a marinade using this blend?
Mix a few teaspoons of the spice blend with fresh lemon or lime juice, olive oil, and salt to taste.
What is the recommended marinating time?
Meat should be marinated for at least 20 minutes, but it can be left for up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
Can I make the marinade creamy?
Yes, you can incorporate buttermilk or yogurt along with lemon juice for a creamier marinade texture.
Can I use this spice blend for burgers?
Yes, incorporate the spice blend directly into the minced or ground meat along with a pinch of salt before forming patties.
Is fresh coriander recommended for this recipe?
While not in the dry mix, adding chopped fresh coriander leaves during the marinating process can provide a burst of freshness.
What type of paprika is best for this recipe?
You can use either hot or sweet paprika depending on your preference for heat and smokiness.
What are the primary herbs in this gyros blend?
The blend uses dried parsley, dried oregano, and dried thyme as its core herbal components.
Is there cinnamon in gyros spice?
Yes, this recipe includes one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to add warmth and complexity to the flavor profile.
What citrus is best for the marinade?
Fresh lemon juice is traditional, but lime juice also works well to activate the spices.
How much chili powder is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chili powder to provide the signature heat.
How much cumin and coriander should I use?
The blend requires 1 tablespoon of ground cumin and 1 tablespoon of ground coriander.
Is this spice blend suitable for kebabs?
Absolutely, it is specifically recommended for flavoring meat used in kebabs.
How do I ensure the meat is properly seasoned?
Toss your meat in the marinade ensuring every piece is evenly coated, or mix it thoroughly into ground meat.
Does this recipe use fresh or powdered garlic?
The dry spice blend uses 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder for even distribution.
Is this blend suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, the spice blend itself is vegan and can be used to season plant-based meat alternatives or vegetables.
Can I use this for roasting large joints of meat?
Yes, it works well as a rub or marinade for larger pieces of lamb or pork intended for roasting.
How many ingredients are in the dry mix?
There are 9 ingredients: chili powder, coriander, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, thyme, and cinnamon.
Is this a traditional Greek flavor?
It is a zesty interpretation of Greek cuisine flavors, optimized for use in gyros and kebabs.
Should I add salt to the jar of spices?
No, it is better to add salt at the time of cooking or marinating to maintain better control over the seasoning.
What is the first step in making the blend?
Combine all the ground and dried spices in a mixing bowl and stir until thoroughly combined.
Can I use lime instead of lemon for the marinade?
Yes, lime juice is a perfectly acceptable substitute for lemon juice in the liquid marinade.
Is the oregano fresh or dried?
The recipe specifies 2 teaspoons of dried oregano for the spice mix.
How much thyme is included?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of dried thyme.
Does this spice blend contain sugar?
No, this is a savory spice blend and does not contain any added sugar or sweeteners.