5best2buy
The Recipe · No.217 · Gyros

Gyros, and where to source it

Gyros — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Gyros Greek 5best2buy.com

Homemade gyros rest on a well-spiced meat loaf that you roast and then crisp, so the grind matters and so does the second sear. Slice the roasted meat thin and crisp the slices in a hot pan to build the edges. Warm the pita too, or the whole wrap falls apart cold.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep25 min
Cook35 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineGreek
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 6 servings
Ground lamb
The base of the gyro loaf; a lamb and beef blend gives the classic flavor and bind.
2 lb
Pita bread
The wrap; thick Greek-style pita holds the fillings without tearing.
6 rounds
Whole milk yogurt
The base of the tzatziki that goes on top; strained whole yogurt is thick and tangy.
2 cups
Ground cumin and coriander
The warm spice backbone of the meat; toast and grind whole seeds for depth.
1 tbsp each
Olive oil
For crisping the sliced meat and dressing the wrap.
3 tbsp
Yellow onion
Pureed into the meat for moisture, plus sliced raw in the wrap.
1 large
Garlic
Grated into both the meat and the tzatziki.
6 cloves
Tomato
Sliced fresh into the wrap for acidity.
2
Local / market
Cucumber
Grated and squeezed into the tzatziki.
1

Using ground lamb? It behaves the way it does for a reason — what this cut is for and how to cook it →

The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerSheet pan
The Method
  1. Make the meat pasteProcess the lamb with pureed onion, garlic, and spices until tacky so it holds together like a loaf.
  2. RoastPress into a loaf pan and bake at 325F for 35 minutes to 165F, then cool 10 minutes so it slices clean.
  3. Slice and crispSlice thin and crisp the slices in a hot pan with olive oil until the edges brown.
  4. Make tzatzikiMix yogurt with grated squeezed cucumber, garlic, lemon, and dill; salt to taste.
  5. AssembleWarm the pita, then pile meat, tomato, onion, and tzatziki and roll tight.
The Toolkit

Food processor · Loaf pan · Cast iron skillet · Instant thermometer · Box grater

Straight Answers
Can you make Gyros in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — bake it in a small pan or dish that fits the basket, at about 25°F below the recipe temperature. Air fryers run hot and fast, so check it early; no flipping needed.

Can you freeze Gyros? — Yes

Yes — freeze it well-wrapped, then reheat or toast straight from frozen. Frost or glaze after thawing.

Can you make Gyros ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — bake it a day or two ahead; it keeps well-wrapped at room temperature and freezes cleanly. Add any frosting or glaze close to serving.

Is Gyros gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in gluten-free versions of the wheat items (check the other labels too).

Is Gyros vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Greek recipes
Avgolemono SoupPastitsioDolmadesTzatzikiGreek Lemon ChickenBaklava
All Greek recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.217

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →