Beef Gyros Recipe
About This Beef Gyros Recipe
These gyros are SO GOOD — I made them back-to-back days and still wasn’t sick of them. They’re packed with flavor: juicy grilled beef patties (made like gyro-style kebabs), soft naan or pita, creamy hummus, tangy homemade tzatziki, a bright cucumber-tomato salad, salty feta, and an optional handful of pita chips for crunch. They’re easy, customizable, and deeply satisfying. Lamb can get pricey, so these are made with all beef (80/20 is ideal), but you can absolutely do a 50/50 beef–lamb mix. If you're craving a fresh, flavorful, Greek-inspired meal, these will become a regular in your rotation. Beef Patties inspired by The Food Charlatan!
Why You’ll Love It
Juicy, flavorful beef patties seasoned like classic gyro meat
Super fresh toppings — cucumber salad + creamy tzatziki
Customizable with lamb, mixed proteins, or just beef
Works on the grill or in the oven
So easy to prep ahead for parties or weeknight dinners
Optional pita chips add the BEST crunch
Fun, handheld, fresh, and perfect for summer
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Beef Gyro Patties
Ground beef (80/20 recommended)
Butter
Lemon juice
Panko
Onion
Garlic
Eggs
Parsley
Salt + pepper
Oregano
Thyme
Cumin
Chili powder
Tzatziki
Greek yogurt
Garlic
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Fresh dill
Salt + pepper
Cucumber Salad
Persian cucumbers
Tomatoes
Red onion
Oregano
Olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt + black pepper
Assembly
Naan or pita
Feta
Hummus
Pita chips
Extra dill
How to Make Them
Mix the beef with onions, garlic, herbs, panko, eggs, and seasonings. Shape into long patties and freeze briefly to help them hold their shape. Grill until juicy and caramelized. Meanwhile, mix up the tzatziki and let it chill. Toss together the cucumber salad. Warm the naan or pita, spread with hummus, add a beef patty, drizzle with tzatziki, pile on cucumber salad, add feta, sprinkle pita chips, finish with dill, and enjoy immediately.
Tips for Success
Freeze the patties 30–60 minutes — essential for keeping their shape on the grill.
Use 80/20 beef for flavor, moisture, and the right texture.
Grate the garlic finely to avoid sharp raw chunks in the tzatziki.
Let the tzatziki chill at least one hour for the best flavor.
Salt the cucumber salad generously — it wakes everything up.
Warm the naan/pita so it’s soft and pliable.
Don’t skip the feta — it ties all the flavors together.
Add pita chips for next-level crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake the patties instead of grilling?
Yes — bake at 400°F for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway.
Can I use lamb instead of beef?
Absolutely. Lamb is delicious here, or use a 50/50 mixed gyro blend.
Can I prep components ahead?
Yes — tzatziki and cucumber salad both get better as they sit. Patties can be shaped and chilled earlier in the day.
Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
Yes, but homemade tastes brighter and fresher.
Can I turn these into bowls instead of wraps?
Totally — add rice, quinoa, or lettuce and pile everything on top.
What to Serve With Beef Gyros
Greek lemon potatoes
Crispy roasted chickpeas
Hummus + pita
Orzo Greek salad
Watermelon + feta salad
More Recipes You’ll Love
Gyros
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, grated
- 3 large eggs
- 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat for a creamier texture)
- 3 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 - 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh dill (finely chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 Persian cucumbers (unpeeled, sliced or diced into quarters)
- 3 large tomatoes, diced
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 3 tablespoons dried oregano
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 - 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 pieces of naan or pita
- 8 oz feta cheese
- hummus
- pita chips
- extra chopped dill
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion onion, grated garlic, butter, lemon juice, panko crumbs, parsley, eggs, oregano, cumin, chili powder, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Using your hands works best to ensure everything is evenly distributed.
- Divide the meat mixture into equal portions and shape them into long patties, about 1 - 1 ½ inch thick to ensure even cooking. CHILL IN FRIDGE FOR 30-60 MINUTES prior to grilling. This will help the patties hold their shape while grilling.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Place the patties on the preheated grill.
- Cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. For medium, 160°F
- Once cooked, remove the patties from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps retain the juices and keeps the patties moist.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and the chopped dill.
- Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Stir all the ingredients together thoroughly until well combined.
- For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate the tzatziki for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- In a large bowl, combine the quartered cucumbers, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, oregano, olive oil and lemon juice.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss everything together until well mixed.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
- Briefly heat the naan to make it pliable- I like to wrap a dampened paper towel around it and microwave it for 30 seconds
- Apply a thin layer of hummus on the naan, if using.
- Place cooked beef kebab slices or patties in the center of the naan.
- Generously drizzle tzatziki sauce over the beef.
- Top with a couple of scoops of cucumber salad.
- Add crumbled feta cheese over the salad.
- Sprinkle crushed pita chips for crunch, if desired.
- Finish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh dill.
- Enjoy!
Oven Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil
Place the formed patties on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other
Bake the patties in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F
If you like a more browned exterior, you can broil the patties for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking
Some Cooking Essentials:
Pyrex Glass Bowls
Microplane Zester
All Clad Measuring Cups
Strainer/Colander
Dough Scraper
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