Gyro Style Lamb Recipes

GYRO-STYLE LAMB BURGERS WITH TZATZIKI AND GRILLED ONIONS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals evenly over the bottom. Heat 2 flat cast-iron skillets over direct heat.
• For the burgers and onions: Combine the lamb, coriander and mint in a large bowl. Form the meat mixture into 4 equal thin half-moon shaped patties. Season the patties with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a splash of oil to the cast-irons. Cook the patties 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the meat to get a nice crust. Flip and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the burgers from the heat and let rest 2 to 3 minutes before assembling the burgers.
• Meanwhile, drizzle the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until softened and charred, about 5 minutes.
• For the tzatziki: Add the yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, cucumber, dill and mint to a large bowl and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve: Spread some tzatziki over each pita, add a patty to one half of each pita, top with some grilled onion and add some chopped tomato and lettuce. Fold the other half of each pita over. Serve!

LAMB GYRO WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE AND SPICY SOUR CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the cubed lamb with the garlic, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and lemon juice. Coat the lamb completely. Let the lamb marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat a large, deep skillet over high heat and drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the lamb with 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the lamb to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked to medium-rare, about 4 minutes on each side.
• Heat the pita bread in a dry pan or in the microwave for just a few seconds until warm and pliable. On each piece of bread, lay a few pieces of lamb, some tomato slices, lettuce, feta and a spoonful of each sauce. Transfer to a serving platter, fold and enjoy!
• To make Tzatziki sauce:
• In a small bowl, combine the cucumber, mint, dill, lemon zest, and yogurt. Season with salt, to taste, and serve with the gyros.
• Yield: about 2 cups
• To make Spicy Sour Cream Sauce:
• In a small bowl, whisk the sour cream, lemon, and sriracha sauce together until completely blended. Season the sauce with salt, to taste, and serve with the gyros.
• Yield: about 1 cup

LAMB GYRO RECIPE

Steps:

• Toast the pitas in a toaster or oven until heated (or use cold bread).
• Slice toppings and prepare tzatziki sauce.
• Cut the gyro meat into thin strands. In a skillet, brown the gyro meat with oil.
• Add meat to pita bread and top with desired toppings.

GYRO-STYLE LAMB

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss together lamb, half of the oregano, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add half of the lamb and cook, tossing constantly, until cooked through and liquid is absorbed, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to a plate. Repeat process with remaining oil and lamb.
• In a bowl, combine yogurt, cucumber, remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Arrange quinoa on a platter or individual serving plates. Spoon lamb over quinoa, top with peppers, cucumber-yogurt sauce and remaining oregano and serve.

CLASSIC SPICED LAMB GYRO

Steps:

• Begin by preparing the tzatziki. In a small bowl, mix the greek yogurt with the finely chopped cucumber, onion, the mint and dill, the lemon juice, and salt and pepper. It's best if you let this sauce sit for a bit before you dig in, but if you're in a time crunch, just go ahead and use it. It will still be good.
• Next, prepare the meat. I like mine to get a little crispy so to do this, I just let it brown in a nonstick pan over medium heat for a few minutes until it starts to crisp up.
• Once the meat is ready, toast your pita until it is soft and pliable.
• Add half of the tzatziki to the bottom of the pita and then top it with fresh spinach, the gyro meat, the chopped tomato, the chopped onion, the rest of the tzatziki, and the diced red onion.
• Fold the gyro in half and gently wrap the bottom half with wax paper. Serve immediately.

EASY LAMB GYROS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Spray a large loaf pan with cooking spray.
• Combine lamb, Greek seasoning, and egg in a bowl. Mix until ingredients are very well combined (overmixing is preferable here.) Firmly press mixture into the prepared loaf pan, making sure there are no air pockets under the meat. Cover with foil.
• Cook in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), about 2 hours.
• Remove from the oven and let rest, covered, until all the grease on top is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Remove meat from the pan and cut into thin slices.
• Load meat into the center of warmed pitas. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki sauce. Serve immediately.

TRADITIONAL GYRO MEAT

Steps:

• Place the onion in a food processor, and process until finely chopped. Scoop the onions onto the center of a towel, gather up the ends of the towel, and squeeze out the liquid from the onions. Place the onions into a mixing bowl along with the lamb and beef. Season with the garlic, oregano, cumin, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and salt. Mix well with your hands until well combined. Cover, and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Place the meat mixture into the food processor, and pulse for about a minute until finely chopped and the mixture feels tacky. Pack the meat mixture into a 7x4 inch loaf pan, making sure there are no air pockets. Line a roasting pan with a damp kitchen towel. Place the loaf pan on the towel, inside the roasting pan, and place into the preheated oven. Fill the roasting pan with boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of the loaf pan.
• Bake until the gyro meat is no longer pink in the center, and the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F (75 degrees C) on a meat thermometer, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Pour off any accumulated fat, and allow to cool slightly before slicing thinly and serving.