Gyro Meat With Tzatziki Sauce Recipes

TZATZIKI SAUCE-- GREEK CUCUMBER/YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel cucumbers and dice. Put them in a colander and sprinkle with the tablespoon of salt (draws water out). Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 minute Drain well and wipe dry with a paper towel.
• In food processor or blender, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until well blended, then stir into yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend.
• This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.
• ** If you can't find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.
• You can skip this draining process, if you want, but you will have a moderately messier, runnier result.

20-MINUTE GREEK GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the ground lamb, beef, garlic, all spice powder, onions, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine. Shape the meat into 12 small patties. Alternately, you could just shape them into 4-5 larger ones. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the tzatziki sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside for serving.
• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and fry the patties for 3-4 minutes (smaller) and 6 minutes (larger) or until they are cooked to desired doneness.
• to serve: Warm the pita bread, layer with meat patties, sliced onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Top with tzatziki sauce and serve immediately.

GYRO MEAT LOAF WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Crumble lamb over mixture and mix well. Shape into a loaf and place in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish., Bake, uncovered, 55-60 minutes or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with tzatziki sauce. Freeze option: Securely wrap and freeze cooled meat loaf in plastic wrap and foil. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Unwrap meat loaf; reheat on a greased shallow baking pan in a preheated 350° oven until a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

BEEF GYROS RECIPE WITH AUTHENTIC GREEK TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place red onion in a food processor and process until finely chopped.
• Remove the onion from the food processor and place in a tea towel, squeezing to remove all the juices.
• Return the onion back to the food processor with the remaining ingredients and pulse for approximately 1 minute until you get a paste like consistency. TIP: The gyro beef mixture will form together in the food processor, similar to a ball of dough.
• Place mixture in a glass baking dish. Flatten and smooth the meat into a nice meatloaf.
• Place in a water bath and cook at 325°F for 60-75 minutes or you have an internal temp of 165°F-170°F.
• Once removed from the oven, drain the fat.
• Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes and place on a wire rack (I also put a pan under the rack to catch any drippings) and place a heavy object on top to compress the gyros meat. I used a cast iron skillet with 3 cans inside the skillet for additional weight.
• Remove the weight and let rest for 30 minutes.
• Slice the meat into desired sized slices.
• Place meat slices on a baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes until crispy!
• Serve in pita bread with lettuce, sliced onion, sliced tomato and this Authentic Greek Tzatziki Sauce.
• Enjoy!

HOMEMADE GREEK GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE (KEBABS*)

Steps:

• Run the onion in a food processor for about 15 seconds. Place the onion in the center of a kitchen towel and squeeze out the juice and return to the food processor.
• Add the meat, garlic, spices, salt and pepper to the onion, and process. Do so until it looks like a fine paste, about a minute. Place the mixture in a loaf pan and press evenly.
• Bake in a water bath (place loaf pan inside another pan filled with water) at 325°F (165°C) for about an hour or more until temperature reaches 165-170°F (75°C.)
• Remove from the oven, drain fat, and place on a cooling rack.
• Cover meat with aluminum foil and a heavy weight (Alton suggests a brick) for about 15 minutes until internal temperature is 175°F (79°C) (I found the times are not quite accurate, and I didn't know if the brick actually had an effect, but I think the important part is getting the meat to the correct temperature.)
• Place meat on a cutting board and slice as thinly as possible with an electric knife (using anything else would be much more difficult.)
• I added the following step myself as I think it mimics the rotisserie a bit more. Add a few slices to a nonstick frying pan (very little or no oil) and heat gently until the meat browns a little.
• In another pan, heat the pita bread.
• Finally, place the meat on one half of the pita, topped with tzatziki sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. You could also put a little Greek dressing on the tomatoes too (extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt, oregano.)
• Serve Homemade Greek Gyros with rice pilaf or a Greek salad, and enjoy!

GYRO MEAT WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
• Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
• To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
• To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:
• Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• Tzatziki Sauce: Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups

BEEF GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: In a small bowl stir together Greek yogurt, cucumber, red wine vinegar, dill, minced garlic and salt. Cover and chill up to 4 hours until ready to serve.
• Prepare Beef Gyros: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper; coat paper with cooking spray.
• In a food processor combine the 1 cup onion and the water; cover and process until smooth. Press pureed onion through a fine-mesh sieve to remove excess liquid; discard liquid. Return onion to food processor. Add the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, oregano, marjoram, garlic, salt and pepper). Cover and process until mixture forms a paste.
• Lightly press meat mixture into prepared loaf pan. Place loaf pan in a 13x9-inch baking pan. Pour enough boiling water into baking pan to reach halfway up sides of loaf pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until done (160 degrees F) (see Tip). Drain off fat. Cool 10 minutes. Remove; cut into slices about 1/4-inch thick.
• Fill pita bread with meat, tomato, cucumber and red onion slices; top with cheese. Serve with Tzatziki Sauce.

GREEK CHICKEN GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Place chicken, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and oregano in bag and let marinate at least 30 minutes, preferably 2-4 hours. The ideal time is 24 hours.
• To make tzatziki sauce, stir together yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, dill, and garlic. Stir in grated cucumber and taste for seasonings. Squeeze the cucumber to remove excess water before adding to rest of ingredients.
• To make greek salad, place tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper in bowl. Stir to coat. Season to taste.
• Chicken can be cooked on grill or in skillet. To cook on grill -- place chicken on kebobs and heat grill to medium heat. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until chicken is full cooked.
• To cook chicken on skillet. Heat skillet to medium high heat. Sprinkle with oil. Add chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked and golden brown.
• Place chicken in pita bread. You can warm the pita bread to make it pliable. Top with tzatziki sauce and greek salad. Add additional feta, if desired.

EASY GROUND BEEF GYROS WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the ground beef to a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the seasonings and 1/2 cup of water. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce has thickened around the meat, about 5 minutes.
• While the beef cooks, make the Tzatziki sauce. Start by squeezing the excessive liquid out of the grated cucumber, discarding the liquid. In a small bowl, mix the grated cucumber with the remaining ingredients.
• To assemble a gyro, layer a pita with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, and ground beef, then finish with tzatziki sauce, fresh dill and feta cheese.

GYRO MEAT AND TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Chop onion up in a food processor for 15 seconds. Remove and drain the juice in a strainer or towel. Dump the juice. Put the onion back in the processor and add the ground lamb,garlic,marjoram,rosemary,salt and the pepper.
• Process for about 1-2 minutes until it looks like paste.Scrape out the bowl into a loaf pan.Preheat oven to 325. Place the meatloaf pan in a water bath. (That means setting the loaf pan another baking dish so the water is about half way up the side of the loaf dish).Bake for 60 minutes or until the meat reaches 165-170.
• Remove from the oven and take the meat out of the loaf pan. Let it cool on a cooling rack for a few minutes.Slice and serve on a pita with the Tzatziki sauce. Also top with onion,tomato and feta cheese.
• Alton Brown Precess:.
• Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
• Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
• To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
• To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:.
• Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• Sauce:.
• Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.

GYRO MEAT RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium pot, bring 1 ½ cups of water to a boil.
• Put 1 sweet yellow onion in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the onion is pureed.
• Put the pureed onion in a paper towel and bring together the corners. Squeeze out any excess water from the onion.
• Return the onion to the food processor along with the rest of the ingredients (1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground lamb, 2 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp marjoram, 1/2 tsp dry rosemary, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper). Pulse until everything is fully combined.
• Put the mixture in an 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 loaf pan and press down. Fill a separate 9x13 pan with the boiling water.
• Put the loaf pan with the meat on the middle rack of the preheated oven and put the 9x13 pan on the bottom rack. Bake for about 60 minutes until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Remove the loaf pan from the oven and pour off the excess grease.
• Put the loaf pan on a cooling rack, cover it with aluminum foil, then place something heavy on top of the pan (you can use a foil-covered brick for best results. I used 3 cans and then placed a cast iron skillet on top.)
• Let the gyro meat rest for about 30 minutes until cooled and dense.
• Remove the meat from the loaf pan. Use a serrated knife to cut the gyro meat into slices.
• Heat the 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the gyro slices to the pan and fry until the meat is browned on both sides.
• Assemble in a warm pita with meat, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce. Enjoy!

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

GYRO MEAT WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
• Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
• To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
• To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:
• Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups

GYRO WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325F process onion in a food processor and drain off liquid. Add lamb, marjoram, rosemary kosher salt, garlic and pepper and grind till a paste about 1 minute. Place in loaf pan, making sure to press against the sides. place loaf pan in a water bath and cook 60-75 minutes until internal temp is 160-170F. Remove from oven, drain off fat and then place brick on top until temp reaches 175F SAUCE: Strain yogurt with a coffee filter for about an hour. Peel, seed and chop the cucumber. Use about 1/2 in sauce reserving remainder for use in the pitas. Add kosher salt, 4 minced garlic cloves, olive oil, red wine vinegar and dill. Stir together and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Heat pitas until warm in oven. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions in pita. Add lamb and then add sauce and serve.