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Homemade Ground Lamb Gyros with Fresh Toppings

Ground Lamb Gyros

Discover how to make authentic ground lamb gyros at home in just 50 minutes! This Greek-inspired recipe features perfectly seasoned lamb with aromatic spices, crispy edges, and fresh Mediterranean toppings. Served in warm pita bread with cool tzatziki sauce, these homemade gyros deliver restaurant-quality flavor at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests with bold, satisfying flavors.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

For the Lamb Mixture:

  • 2 pounds ground lamb (85/15 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For Serving:

  • 6-8 pita breads
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce
  • 2 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh lettuce leaves
  • Crumbled feta cheese
  • Fresh parsley or mint

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Lamb Mixture: In a large bowl, combine ground lamb, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cayenne. Add lemon juice. Mix thoroughly with your hands for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes slightly sticky and all spices are evenly distributed.
  2. Shape the Meat: Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides. Press the seasoned lamb mixture firmly into the pan, eliminating air pockets. Smooth the top surface with a spatula.
  3. Bake to Perfection: Place the loaf pan on the middle oven rack and bake for 50-60 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). Remove from oven, drain excess fat, and let rest in the pan for 10 minutes.
  4. Slice and Crisp: Transfer the rested meat to a cutting board using parchment overhang. Slice into thin strips (⅛ to ¼ inch thick). Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Sear lamb slices for 1-2 minutes per side until edges are crispy and caramelized.
  5. Warm Pitas and Prep Toppings: Wrap pita breads in foil and warm in oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes. Arrange fresh toppings on a serving platter: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and feta.
  6. Assemble Gyros: Spread tzatziki sauce down the center of each warm pita. Layer crispy lamb, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and feta. Garnish with fresh herbs. Fold bottom up, then sides in to create a pocket. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For leaner option: Substitute half the lamb with ground turkey or chicken
  • Make-ahead tip: Prepare lamb mixture 24 hours in advance and refrigerate for deeper flavor
  • Storage: Refrigerate cooked meat up to 4 days; freeze up to 3 months
  • No loaf pan? Shape meat into 1-inch thick rectangle on baking sheet, bake 35-40 minutes
  • Leftover tip: Use gyro meat for breakfast bowls with poached eggs
  • Spice adjustment: Reduce cayenne for milder heat or add extra for more kick
  • Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pita or serve in lettuce wraps
  • Low-carb/Keto: Skip pita, serve over salad greens with extra vegetables

Find it online: https://juicymeatrecipes.com/ground-lamb-gyros/