Gyro Recipe

This Gyro Recipe is made with hot sausage, onion, lettuce, feta cheese, pickled jalapeños, avocado crema and stuffed into a pita.

I wanted to make something different with hot Italian sausage and this came together so well. I wanted to put my own Mexican twist to it, so I made a delicious avocado crema. For the crema, you just need avocado, Greek yogurt, lime juice, cilantro and salt. These simple ingredients created a delicious condiment that you can use for pretty much anything, even a simple dip for tortilla chips.

Once you cook the sausage you can top all your favorite ingredients in a pita. Feel free to mix and match whatever you desire. I loved using feta cheese, pickled jalapeños and shredded lettuce. You could always use sliced apples, shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes, or parsley. I will never turn down a street food inspired recipe, so I had to make a pita recipe with a Mexican twist to it. Cooking the sausage in a saucepan will make the sausage crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside.

This was inspired by my Sausage and Peppers, and pairs well with my Cilantro Lime rice which is a Chipotle style rice.

Jump to:

• What is a Gyro?
• Sausage Pita Ingredients
• How to make Greek Gyro Recipe
• What to Serve with Gyros?
• Substitutions for Sausage Pita
• Gyro Recipe Variations
• Equipment
• Storage for Sausage Pita
• Gyro Recipe Top tips
• Gyro Recipe
• Food safety

What is a Gyro?

A gyro (pronounced "yee-roh") is a Greek dish consisting of meat, typically beef or lamb, that has been marinated in herbs and spices, roasted on a vertical spit, and then thinly sliced. The meat is often served on a warm pita bread, along with sliced tomatoes, onions, and a creamy yogurt-based sauce called tzatziki. Gyros are often served as street food or fast food in Greece and other Mediterranean countries, and have become popular in many other parts of the world as well. Variations of the gyro can also be made with chicken, pork, or a combination of meats.

Sausage Pita Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Hot or Sweet Italian Sausage
• Red Onion
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Shredded Lettuce
• Feta Cheese
• Pickled jalapeños
• Pickled onion
• Pita Bread
• Avocado
• Greek Yogurt
• Lime
• Cilantro

See recipe card below for quantities for this Gyro Recipe.

How to make Greek Gyro Recipe

Hint: I love using a food processor instead of a blender to get a thicker consistency. My favorite is the Kitchenaid Food processor. It is small but powerful.

What to Serve with Gyros?

Gyros are often served with a variety of side dishes and condiments. Here are some ideas:

• Greek Salad: A classic Greek salad made with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, and a vinaigrette dressing is a great side dish for gyros.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and eggplant make a flavorful and healthy side dish for gyros.
• Fries: French fries or Greek-style fries (potatoes seasoned with oregano and lemon juice) are a popular side dish for gyros.
• Pita Chips: Pita chips are a crunchy and flavorful side dish that can be served with tzatziki sauce or hummus.

Substitutions for Sausage Pita

• Sausage: I love using hot Italian sausage for this, although you can use sweet Italian sausage.
• Onion: I used red onion for this recipe, although you can use white or yellow onion. For the toppings, you can even use pickled onion if you have free time. Red pickled onions are an amazing indispensable ingredient to have in your kitchen. I love the bright pink color, and it’s a great addition to most meals, and deliciously crunchy. They go well on sandwiches, tacos, bowls, avocado toast and salads. It serves as an amazing garnish with a great pop of color.  
• Lettuce: I love using shredded iceberg, romaine or butterhead lettuce. If you want to switch it up, you can use spinach, arugula or escarole.
• Avocado crema: I loved making this avocado crema but if you are short on time, feel free to use condiments like sour cream, Greek yogurt with lemon juice, ranch dressing, hummus, or tahini sauce.

Gyro Recipe Variations

Like I mentioned, there are many variations to this dish. Get creative!

• Chicken Gyro: Instead of using sausage, beef or lamb, you can use chicken breast that has been marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano. Grill the chicken until cooked through, then slice thinly and serve on a warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce and fresh veggies.
• Veggie Gyro: For a vegetarian or vegan option, you can make a veggie gyro using roasted vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. Serve them on a pita bread with hummus or baba ganoush and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
• Pork Gyro: Use pork shoulder that has been marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, then roasted on a spit until cooked through. Serve the thinly sliced pork on a warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce, fresh veggies, and a sprinkle of feta cheese.
• Gyro Salad: Instead of serving the gyro on a pita bread, you can create a gyro salad with mixed greens, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and sliced gyro meat. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Falafel Gyro: Replace the meat with falafel balls that have been fried until crispy. Serve them on a warm pita bread with tzatziki sauce, hummus, fresh veggies, and a sprinkle of feta cheese.

Equipment

To make gyros at home, you will need a few basic pieces of kitchen equipment:

• Grill or Skillet: To cook the meat, you can use a grill or a skillet on the stove. If you have a grill, you can cook the meat over medium-high heat until it's charred on the outside and cooked through. If you're using a skillet, heat it over medium-high heat and cook the meat until it's browned on all sides.
• Food processor: I love using a food processor instead of a blender to get a thicker consistency for the cream. My favorite is the Kitchenaid Food processor. It is small but powerful.
• Meat Thermometer: A meat thermometer is a useful tool to ensure that the meat is cooked to the proper temperature. Gyro meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Slicing Knife: You will need a sharp slicing knife to slice the pita.

Storage for Sausage Pita

If you have leftover sausage pita, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you're ready to eat it, you can reheat the sausage and pita in the microwave or oven until it's warmed through. It's best to store the tzatziki sauce separately to prevent the pita from becoming soggy. You can also freeze the sausage pita for longer storage, up to 2-3 months. To reheat frozen pita, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in the oven or microwave. However, it's important to note that freezing may affect the texture of the pita and the overall quality of the dish may not be as good as fresh.

Gyro Recipe Top tips

Here are some top tips for making delicious homemade gyros:

• Use a meat thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage. Cook the meat to an internal temperature of 155°F (74°C) to ensure that it's fully cooked.
• Warm the pita bread: Warm the pita bread before serving. You can do this by wrapping the bread in foil and placing it in the oven for a few minutes or microwaving it for a few seconds.
• Use fresh toppings: Use fresh toppings like sliced tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and lettuce. This will add texture and flavor to the dish.

By following these tips, you can make this delicious Gyro Recipe that is packed with flavor and easy to make.

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Food safety

• Cook the sausage at medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes.
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.