Easy Beef Gyro wrapped in Pita bread Recipe

This juicy homemade beef gyro recipe brings authentic Greek street food right to your kitchen in just 1 hour.

Wrapped in warm pita bread, the seasoned meat combines perfectly with cool tzatziki and fresh vegetables for an irresistible Mediterranean meal.

Whether you’re hosting friends or planning a quick weeknight dinner, these gyros deliver restaurant-quality flavors with simple preparation.

In just 40 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking, you’ll create six generous portions that will transport your taste buds straight to Athens.

Ingredients

• For Beef Gyro Marinade:
  • Lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon – adds brightness
  • 2 large garlic cloves – for authentic flavor
  • 2 tbsp olive oil – helps tenderize meat
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano – essential Greek seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt – enhances overall taste
  • 1 tsp runny honey – helps caramelization
  • 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika – adds depth
  • 1/4 tsp hot smoked paprika – for gentle heat
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 500g beef steak – best quality you can find
• For Potato Fries:
  • 250g waxy potatoes – perfect for crispy fries
  • Oil for frying
  • Salt to taste
• For Assembly:
  • Homemade Pita Bread
  • Greek Tzatziki
  • 1 red onion, sliced thin
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced
  • Fresh shredded lettuce

Instructions

1. Marinate the Beef: Combine lemon juice, zest, crushed garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, honey, both paprikas, and black pepper. Coat beef thoroughly and refrigerate overnight.
2. Prepare Fries (Optional): Salt-cure peeled potato strips for 20 minutes. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown (about 10 minutes). Drain and season.
3. Cook the Beef: Heat non-stick pan on high. Sear marinated beef to desired doneness. Let rest, then slice thinly.
4. Return to Heat: Put sliced beef back in pan to coat with pan juices.
5. Assemble Gyros: Spread tzatziki on pita bread, layer with beef slices, onions, tomatoes, fries, and lettuce. Wrap and serve immediately.

Cooking Techniques

Let’s talk about making the perfect beef gyro! The magic happens in two key steps – marinating and cooking.

The overnight marinade is what makes the meat super tasty, letting all those Greek flavors really soak in.

When you’re cooking the steak, keep an eye out for that beautiful brown crust – it adds amazing flavor! Just watch your heat and adjust if needed.

For those crispy fries, the salt-draining step might seem like extra work, but it helps remove excess moisture, giving you perfectly crispy potatoes.

Variations & Substitutions

You can switch things up based on what you have at home! Don’t have steak? Try using lamb or chicken – they work great with these flavors too.

If you’re watching carbs, skip the fries or swap them for a Greek salad. No fresh lemons? Use bottled lemon juice (about 3 tablespoons) plus 1 teaspoon of dried lemon zest. For a spicier kick, add more hot paprika or a pinch of red pepper flakes to your marinade.

Serving Suggestions

Make your gyro meal extra special with some tasty sides! Set up a little DIY gyro station with extra tzatziki, sliced cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese.

A simple Greek salad makes a perfect partner – just toss together chunks of cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and olives with olive oil and oregano.

Want to go all out? Add some warm pita chips and hummus on the side. Don’t forget extra lemon wedges for squeezing over everything!

Storage Tips

Made too much? No problem! Keep your cooked beef slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to eat, warm them in a pan with a splash of water to keep them juicy. Store the tzatziki sauce separately – it stays good for about 4 days in the fridge.

The fries are best eaten right away, but if you have leftovers, crisp them up in a hot oven for a few minutes. Just remember to store all your toppings separately to keep everything fresh!

Easy Beef Gyro

Bushra

A delicious Greek-style beef gyro wrapped in pita bread with tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 40 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main

Cuisine Greek

Servings 6 portions

Equipment

• Non-stick frying pan or skillet

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Beef gyro marinade

• 1 whole lemon, juice and zest
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 500 g beef steak

For the potato fries (optional)

• 250 g waxy potatoes (9 oz)

For the Beef Gyro pita wrap

• 1 recipe Homemade Pita Bread
• 1/2 recipe Authentic Greek Tzatziki

Instructions

 

• Marinate the steak a day ahead. In a dish just big enough to sit the steaks in a single layer whisk together the juice and zest of the lemon, the garlic cloves, crushed, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, honey, paprika and a good amount of black pepper.
• Add the steaks and using your hands rub the marinade into all of the exposed meat. Cover and transfer to the fridge to marinate overnight.
• If making fries, peel potatoes and cut into strips. Toss in a sieve with salt and drain for 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan. Fry potatoes for about 10 minutes until golden.
• Cook the marinated steaks in a hot pan to desired doneness. Slice thinly.
• Assemble gyros by spreading tzatziki on pita bread, adding beef slices, red onion, tomatoes, fries, and lettuce. Wrap and serve.

Keyword Greek-style beef, homemade gyros, Mediterranean street food, Middle Eastern cuisine, pita sandwich

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!