Gyro burgers are a delicious twist on a traditional burger. They are perfect to make in the summer when you want something grilled but you are tired of your standard burger. Get the flavor of traditional gyros but without needing fancy equipment.
I love Greek food so much! There's so much flavor packed into every single bite. I also love burgers, so when you combine the two into a unique burger that tastes like an gyro, that's a food match made in heaven.
If you have never had an gyro (pronounced yee-ro), it is a spiced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and then sliced and stuffed into pita bread with all kinds of yummy toppings. They are one of my favorite foods, and I always order one when at a Greek restaurant.
I love recreating the flavors at home, but in a less intimidating way that does not require a vertical rotisserie. If you can make a burger, you can make these.
What Type of Meat to Use
You will need a pound of some type of ground meat. My suggestions are one of these or a combination:
- ground beef ( I prefer a 80/20 mix for this to ensure a juicy finished product.)
- ground pork
- ground lamb
Toppings
The toppings are what makes the gyro burger shine so don't skimp!
- red onion
- feta cheese
- tomato
- homemade tzatziki sauce (yogurt cucumber sauce)
Bread Options
You could use a variety of options depending on your preferences and dietary needs.
- pita bread (regular or low carb)
- bun
- lettuce wrap
- gluten free bun or bread
How to Make Gyro Burgers
- First mix together your tzatziki. In a small bowl, add plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and chopped dill. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess liquid in a small fine mesh strainer. Stir to combine. add a drizzle of olive oil if you wish. Set aside in the fridge until you are ready to eat.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Next make the spice mix for the burgers by combining salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- In a medium bowl, add the ground meat and work in the spice mix with your hands. Mix just enough until the spices are evenly distributed, taking care not to over work the meat.
- Divide the meat into four equal portions and form the meat mixture into round burger patties.
- When the grill is preheated, brush and oil the grates.
- Place each burger patty on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes. Once it is seared on one side flip to the other side and cook for a total of 6-7 minutes. Remove when meat reaches and internal temperature of 160 degrees F. You can even remove them at 155 degrees to account for carryover cook time once they are off the grill.
- Lastly, build your burger. Stuff the pita pockets with lettuce, burger patty, tomato, red onion, feta cheese crumbles, and tzatziki.
What to Serve with an Gyro Burger
You might as well go full on Greek feast and serve traditional sides.
I love a Greek salad, but you could also serve oven french fries, or cut vegetables with dips such as hummus or an eggplant dip.
Easy Gyro Burger
Equipment
- 1 bowl
- grater
- grill
- spatula
Ingredients
Burger patties
- 1 lb ground beef 80/20 is best
- 1¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Homemade Tzatziki
- 1 c Greek yogurt
- ½ c grated cucumber strained
- 1 clove garlic minced or grated
- juice of half a lemon
- ¼ tsp salt or more to taste
- 2 tsp fresh dill chopped
Toppings
- 4 pitas
- red onion sliced
- feta cheese crumbled
- tomatoes sliced
- lettuce
Instructions
Make Tzatziki
- First mix together your tzatziki. In a small bowl, add plain Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, salt, and chopped dill. Grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess liquid in a small fine mesh strainer. Stir to combine. add a drizzle of olive oil if you wish. Set aside in the fridge until you are ready to eat.
Make Burgers
- Next make the spice mix for the burgers by combining salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, thyme, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- In a medium bowl, add the ground meat and work in the spice mix with your hands. Mix just enough until the spices are evenly distributed, taking care not to over work the meat to avoid a tough burger.
- Divide the meat into four equal portions and form the meat mixture into round burger patties.
Grill Burgers
- Pre-heat grill over medium-high heat.
- When the grill is preheated, brush and oil the grates.
- Place each burger patty on the grill and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Once it is seared on one side flip to the other side and cook for a total of 6-7 minutes. Remove when meat reaches and internal temperature of 160 degrees F. You can even remove them at 155 degrees to account for carryover cook time once they are off the grill.
- Lastly, build your burger. Stuff the pita pockets with lettuce, burger patty, tomato, red onion, feta cheese crumbles, and tzatziki.
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