• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cilantro Parsley
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Appetizer
    • Instant Pot & Slow Cooker
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Approachable Mexican, Latin and Italian Recipes
  • Modern Sidebar
  • Recipe Box
  • Shop
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Box
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Instagram
  • Español
  • Shop My Recipes
  • Videos
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Sidebar
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Box
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Instagram
  • Español
  • Shop My Recipes
  • Videos
  • Privacy Policy
  • Modern Sidebar
×
Home » Recipes » Pork

Gyro Recipe

Published: Apr 6, 2022 · Modified: Feb 21, 2024 by Maxine Dubois · This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

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

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

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

In a large saucepan on medium high heat, add oil and wait for it to shimmer. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add the sausage and season with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt. Cook the sausage, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.

In a food processor, add the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pulse. The avocado crema should be a creamy, thick texture.

Open the toasted pita with a knife so it becomes a pocket. Spread avocado crema inside.

Stuff the shredded lettuce in and top with the cooked sausage, pickled jalapeños, pickled onions, and feta cheese.

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

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.

YouTube player
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Gyro Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

  • Author: Maxine Dubois
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

Description

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


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound hot or sweet Italian sausage, out of casing
  • ½ red onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 3-4 cups shredded lettuce
  • Optional toppings: Feta cheese, pickled jalapeños, pickled onion
  • 4 pita bread, toasted
  • Avocado crema:
  • 1 Avocado
  • ¼ plain Greek yogurt
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan on medium high heat, add oil and wait for it to shimmer. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add the sausage and season with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and salt. Cook the sausage, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 10-12 minutes.
  2. In a food processor, add the avocado, Greek yogurt, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pulse. The avocado crema should be a creamy, thick texture.
  3. Open the toasted pita with a knife so it becomes a pocket. Spread avocado crema inside. Stuff the shredded lettuce in and top with the cooked sausage, pickled jalapenos, pickled onions, and feta cheese.

Notes

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.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 625.0
  • Sugar: 4.1 g
  • Sodium: 1,41.6 mg
  • Fat: 39.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 13.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.6 g
  • Fiber: 3.9 g
  • Protein: 23.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 85.9 mg

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cilantro.parsley on Instagram and hashtag it #cilantroparsley

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.

More Pork

  • Brussels sprouts salad recipe: A refreshing salad featuring thinly sliced Brussels sprouts tossed with a tangy vinaigrette, dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts, for a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
    Brussels Sprouts Salad Recipe
  • Indulge in a savory delight with our sausage stuffed acorn squash: plump, juicy sausages nestled within tender roasted acorn squash halves, perfectly complemented by a medley of aromatic herbs and spices.
    Stuffed Acorn Squash with Sausage
  • Savor the fusion of flavors with our Birria Empanadas: golden, flaky pastry envelopes filled with tender, savory birria meat, melding traditional Mexican spices with the comfort of handheld indulgence.
    Birria Empanadas Recipe
  • Discover perfection with our Pork Chops Sous Vide Recipe: succulent pork chops cooked to tender, juicy perfection using the sous vide method.
    Pork Chops Sous Vide

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Maxine!

I am a Mexican American recipe creator & food blogger dedicated to cultivating the cooking experience. I love Latin recipes and inspiring you to cook them by incorporating videos to simplify and share my recipes.  My favorite cuisines are Mexican and Italian, which is why I came up with the name Cilantro Parsley!

You can also find me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook & Youtube

More about me →

Popular

  • Healthy French Onion Dip with Greek Yogurt
  • Strawberry Arugula Goat Cheese Salad
  • Close-up of creamy mushroom risotto in a white bowl garnished with parsley, showcasing its rich texture and earthy flavors.
    Mushroom Risotto Recipe
  • Lemon garlic quinoa: a vibrant, flavorful dish bursting with zesty lemon and aromatic garlic, served over fluffy quinoa grains.
    Lemon Garlic Quinoa Bowl
  • Mexican Bunuelos Recipe
  • Lentil Patties Recipe
  • Ground beef ramen with hoisin: Ramen noodles with savory ground beef, elevated by the sweet complexity of hoisin sauce.
  • General Tso Chicken

Find my recipes in Spanish here.

Copyright © 2025 Cilantro Parsley on the Foodie Pro Theme