How to Make Authentic Greek Gyros at Home
Juicy, flavorful, and wrapped in pita bread, these homemade gyros bring the taste of Greece right into your kitchen! Made with chicken, pork, or lamb, this classic Greek street food is easy to recreate at home. Add tzatziki, fresh veggies, and crispy fries, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality gyro!
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A trip to Greece isn’t complete without savoring a perfectly wrapped gyro—tender marinated meat, grilled to perfection, and wrapped in fluffy pita bread with creamy tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, and fries. Luckily, you don’t need a rotisserie spit to make delicious Greek gyros at home!
This homemade gyro recipe uses a simple oven or stovetop method to recreate the authentic flavors of Greek-style street food. Whether you prefer pork, chicken, beef, or lamb, this method ensures juicy, well-seasoned meat with the perfect char.
Let’s make the best homemade Greek gyros—easy, delicious, and ready to transport you to the streets of Athens!
Homemade Greek Gyro Recipe
Ingredients for the gyro meat
- 2 lbs pork shoulder (or chicken thighs, lamb, or beef)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt & pepper to taste
Ingredients to prepare the gyro wraps
- Homemade Greek pita bread
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce
- 1 tomato, sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- Handful of lettuce (optional)
- 1 cup crispy French fries (optional)
Instructions to Make Greek Gyros
Marinate the meat
- Slice pork (or chicken, lamb, beef) into thin strips.
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the meat in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
Cook the gyro meat
Option 1: Stovetop Method
(Quick & Easy)
- Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated meat for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and slightly crispy.
Option 2: Oven Method
(For Tasty Texture)
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the meat on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Assemble the gyros
- Warm the Greek pita bread in a pan or oven.
- Spread a generous layer of tzatziki sauce on the pita.
- Add slices of gyro meat, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and crispy fries (optional but highly recommended!).
- Sprinkle with sweet paprika for color and extra taste.
- Wrap tightly in parchment paper or foil to hold everything together.
Serve & enjoy!
- Roll the gyro wrap with foil paper to keep it warm longer
- Serve warm with extra tzatziki, olives, and a Greek salad.
- Take a bite and enjoy your homemade Greek gyro experience!
Tips for the Best Homemade Gyros
- Marinate the meat well
The longer, the better! Overnight marination gives the best flavor.
- Use the right cut
Pork shoulder, chicken thighs, lamb, or beef work best for juicy gyros. - Don’t skip the pita
Soft, fluffy Greek pita is essential for wrapping the gyro perfectly. - Tzatziki is a must
The cool, garlicky yogurt sauce completes the flavor. - Crispy fries make it authentic
Many Greek gyros come with fries inside for an extra treat!
Now you know how to make authentic Greek gyros at home—flavorful, juicy, and wrapped in warm pita bread with all the classic toppings! This homemade version is easy to make with any meat (pork, chicken, lamb, or beef) and just as delicious as any Greek taverna.
So grab your pita, fire up the skillet, and enjoy a very Greek gyro kitchen! Will you try this with pork, chicken, or lamb first?
Gyros
Ingredients
Ingredients for the gyro meat
- 1 kg pork shoulder (or chicken thighs, lamb, or beef)
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt & pepper to taste
Ingredients to prepare the gyro wraps
- Pita bread
- Tzatziki sauce
- 1 Tomato sliced
- ½ Red onion thinly sliced
- Handful of lettuce (optional)
- 1 cup crispy French fries (optional)
Instructions
Marinate the meat
- Slice the pork (or chicken, lamb, beef) into thin strips.
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, cumin, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the meat in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
Cook the gyro meat – Option 1: Stovetop Method
- Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the marinated meat for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and slightly crispy.
Option 2: Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread the meat on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For extra crispiness, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end.
Assemble the gyros
- Warm the Greek pita bread in a pan or oven.
- Spread a generous layer of tzatziki sauce on the pita.
- Add slices of gyro meat, tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and crispy fries (optional but highly recommended!).
- Sprinkle with sweet paprika for color and extra taste.
- Wrap tightly in parchment paper or foil to hold everything together.
Notes
- Roll the gyro wrap with foil paper to keep it warm longer!
- Serve warm with extra tzatziki, olives, and a Greek salad.
Pin for Later!
How to Make Homemade Greek Gyros
Gabi Ancarola
Gabi is a travel writer who has lived in Crete for over a decade. Through her blog, Crete Insider, she has helped travelers uncover local experiences. Passionate about food and Cretan cuisine, she now attends Greek cooking lessons to bring the island’s flavors straight to your kitchen!
>> Interested in learning to cook in Crete, or discovering all of the top spots to eat in Chania and around the island? Book a food tour or plan your trip with me.
