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Juicy homemade gyro meat sliced on a pan, ready to serve in pita with toppings.

Gyro Meat

A simple and delicious homemade gyro meat recipe that delivers classic gyro flavor without the need for fancy equipment. Perfect for cozy dinners or game nights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Mixture
  • 1.5 pounds ground meat (beef, lamb, or a mix) Half beef and half lamb for classic flavor
  • 1 whole onion, grated Keeps meat juicy
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor
  • 1 whole egg Acts as a binder
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs Helps hold the mixture together
Spices
  • 1.5 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pinch cinnamon (optional) Adds gyro shop feel
  • to taste black pepper

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Grate half an onion into a bowl.
  2. Add the ground meat, minced garlic cloves, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, oregano, cumin, paprika, and black pepper.
  3. Mix well until combined.
  4. Press the mixture into a small loaf pan or shape it into a log on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 375°F until cooked through, about 35 to 45 minutes depending on thickness.
  6. Let it cool, then chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Cooking
  1. Slice chilled meat thinly.
  2. Pan sear the slices in a hot pan with a little oil until browned and crispy on the edges.

Notes

For best results, mix the meat mixture thoroughly, chill before slicing, and avoid crowding the pan while cooking. Can be enjoyed with warm pita, tzatziki, or tahini-yogurt sauce.