Gyros with tzatziki

Gyros with tzatziki

40 min
Gyros is the Greek equivalent of a kebab. Delicious, spiced meat is rolled up in flat bread and combined with tzatziki and other fresh Mediterranean ingredients to produce a unique taste of Greece.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/gyros-with-tzatziki/

Instructions

  • Shred the pork loin and add to a bowl. Mix together with the spices and other ingredients and set aside.
  • For the tzatziki, coarsely grate the cucumber and press out any liquid. Mix with the yoghurt and garlic, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Warm the butter and rapeseed oil in a frying pan and fry the meat for 4-5 minutes in batches on a high heat.
  • Slice the tomato, red onion and cucumber. Shred the iceberg lettuce.
  • Place the vegetables, tzatziki and spiced meat on the flat bread. Roll up and serve immediately.
Enjoy!

Gyros with tzatziki

What is the difference between gyros and souvlaki?
For many, gyros and souvlaki are one and the same thing: delicious skewers of pork or chicken served together with fresh vegetables, fries and a splash of tzatziki. But ask a Greek and they’ll tell you that both dishes couldn’t be further apart. While souvlaki is traditionally grilled on skewers, gyros is slow cooked on a vertical rotisserie for many hours after which it is sliced and ready for serving. Both can be enjoyed as a platter or wrapped in a flatbread.
What is gyros sauce made of?
Traditionally gyros is served with a refreshing tzatziki sauce made from Greek yoghurt and finely sliced cucumbers. This complements the rich, seasoned flavour of the meat and gives the dish its creamy and fresh undertones.
How are gyros made in Greece?
As one of the national dishes in Greece, a good authentic gyros is easy to find at most street food vendors across Greece. Traditionally, it should be slow cooked for many hours on a vertical rotisserie called a ‘souvla’ in Greek. This allows the meat to cook evenly on all sides and also gives it its crispy texture. Gyros are traditionally made from pork, however it’s not uncommon to find other varieties such as chicken, lamb or even beef. The meat is sliced from the rotisserie and served directly together with pita bread, fresh vegetables and a creamy tzatziki sauce.
What does gyros mean in Greek?
Gyros, originating from the Greek word γύρος, means ‘to turn’ or ‘revolve’ in Greek. So gyros literally gets its name from how it is cooked – turning slowly on a rotisserie over many hours.

Ingredients

Gyros:
Pork loins
500 g
Olive oil
2 tbsp
Dijon mustard
2 tbsp
Dried oregano
1 tbsp
Paprika powder
1 tbsp
Ground cumin
1 tsp
Salt
1 tsp
Chilli flakes
½ tsp
Garlic cloves, crushed
2
Butter and rapeseed oil, for frying
1 tbsp
Tzatziki:
Greek yoghurt, 10%
200 ml
Cucumber
½
Garlic clove, crushed
1
Salt and black pepper to season
To serve:
Tomatoes
2
Red onion
½
Cucumber
½
Salad mix
100 g
Flatbread (or pita bread)
4

Gyros

Gyros is the Greek equivalent of a kebab. Delicious, spiced meat is rolled up in flat bread and combined with tzatziki and other fresh Mediterranean ingredients to produce a unique taste of Greece.

The history and origins of gyros

It simply doesn’t get more Greek than a gyros. However, did you know that gyros are actually based on an older recipe from the Middle East?

Shawarma, a Middle Eastern dish made from seasoned meat, is widely believed to be the inspiration behind the world-famous gyros. The rumour is that the Greeks loved the dish so much that they adapted it and made it their own.

In 2011, a Cypriot restaurateur made the world’s biggest ever gyros – weighing in at a gigantic four tonnes!

Foil it up for easy eating on-the-go

Walk into any restaurant in Greece and you’ll most likely find gyros on the menu. But without a doubt the most authentic way to serve a gyros – the Greek way – is as a quick snack or street food. Try it for yourself – prepare your gyros at home, wrap it in foil and enjoy on-the-go!

Eat your gyros the Greek way

Many people confuse gyros with the Turkish kebab – and it’s an easy mistake to make. But when it comes to taste, the two dishes are actually worlds apart. While kebab is typically made with lamb or beef, gyros is traditionally made with pork. Top it with fresh vegetables, a yoghurt-based sauce and even fries – and you’ve got yourself a dish that’s as Greek as the Akropolis!

Different sauces and toppings for extra flavour and variety

 A good gyros is all about personal taste and although it is traditionally served with tzatziki sauce, the dish works just as well with other condiments such as ranch dressing, hot sauces, and hummus. If you don’t have tzatziki at hand, a dollop of sour cream can also do the trick.