Spicy Lamb and Tzatziki Gyros
Spicy Lamb and Tzatziki Gyros
Ingredients
For the Spicy Lamb
- 1 pound ground lamb, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 English cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat recommended
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly
- 4 pita bread, warmed
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the grated and squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Season the Lamb: In a separate bowl, combine the ground lamb with minced garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all spices are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Cook the Lamb: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Warm the Pita Bread: While the lamb is cooking, warm the pita bread according to package instructions. This can be done in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven. Keep them warm until ready to assemble.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Prepare Toppings: Slice the red onion thinly, chop the Roma tomatoes, and chop the fresh parsley.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Assemble the Gyros: Lay a warm pita flat. Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce over the pita. Spoon a portion of the spicy lamb mixture onto the center. Top with sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Fold or roll the pita to create a gyro. Repeat for the remaining gyros and serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Lamb and Tzatziki Gyros
Ingredients
For the Spicy Lamb
- 1 pound ground lamb, 80/20 lean
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 English cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat recommended
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
For Assembly
- 4 pita bread, warmed
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the grated and squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Season the Lamb: In a separate bowl, combine the ground lamb with minced garlic, onion powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all spices are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Cook the Lamb: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned ground lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Warm the Pita Bread: While the lamb is cooking, warm the pita bread according to package instructions. This can be done in a dry skillet, microwave, or oven. Keep them warm until ready to assemble.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Prepare Toppings: Slice the red onion thinly, chop the Roma tomatoes, and chop the fresh parsley.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Assemble the Gyros: Lay a warm pita flat. Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce over the pita. Spoon a portion of the spicy lamb mixture onto the center. Top with sliced red onion, chopped tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Fold or roll the pita to create a gyro. Repeat for the remaining gyros and serve immediately.
⏱️ 5 min