Description
Classic Greek gyro blends succulent marinated beef with tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables in warm pita bread. Mediterranean flavors transport hungry diners straight to Greece with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (17.6 oz) beef steak
- 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1.5 tsps dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp runny honey
- 0.5 tsps sweet smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsps hot smoked paprika
- Black pepper, to taste
- 250 g (9 oz) waxy potatoes
- Oil
- Salt
- 1 homemade pita bread
- 0.5 recipe authentic Greek tzatziki
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 large tomatoes, sliced
- Shredded lettuce
Instructions
- Marination Preparation: Blend lemon zest, juice, garlic, olive oil, oregano, salt, honey, paprika, and black pepper in a mixing container, creating a robust marinade for the beef.
- Beef Preparation: Thoroughly massage marinade into steak, ensuring complete coating, then refrigerate overnight in a sealed container to enhance flavor penetration.
- Potato Fry Technique: Peel and slice potatoes into uniform thin strips, sprinkle with salt, and drain excess moisture for 20 minutes to ensure optimal crispiness during frying.
- Frying Process: Heat cooking oil in a heavy-bottomed pan until shimmering, then carefully fry potato strips until achieving a golden-brown crispy exterior, approximately 10 minutes, then drain on paper towels and season with additional salt.
- Steak Searing: Preheat skillet to high temperature, cook marinated beef to desired doneness, developing a rich caramelized crust while maintaining inner tenderness, then slice into thin strips and briefly return to pan to intensify flavors.
- Gyro Assembly: Warm pita bread, spread tzatziki, layer sliced beef, red onion, tomato chunks, crispy potato fries, and lettuce leaves, then carefully fold into a compact, manageable package.
- Serving: Present immediately while ingredients remain warm and textures are at peak quality, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate Overnight: Allow beef to absorb flavors deeply by refrigerating marinade for minimum 8-12 hours, enhancing tenderness and taste complexity.
- Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350-375°F when frying potatoes to prevent burning and ensure even, crispy golden exterior.
- Searing Technique: Use extremely hot, dry skillet without added oil to develop caramelized beef crust, creating rich flavor and perfect browning.
- Wrap with Care: Fold pita carefully, tucking ingredients tightly to prevent filling from falling out and maintain structural integrity during eating.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg