You’ll love this gyro salad recipe if you’re craving the rich, savoury flavours of a traditional gyro but would prefer a lighter, healthier option! In addition to being tasty, this dish is nutrient-dense, combining the best aspects of a traditional Greek salad with succulent gyro meat.
We will discuss the definition of a gyro salad, how to prepare homemade gyro meat (both lamb and chicken!), how to make the ideal tzatziki sauce, and how to put together your salad for a delicious dinner in this blog post. Everything you need is right here, whether you want to prepare meals or serve this fresh dish at your next get-together.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What Is a Gyro Salad?
All of the delicious flavours of a traditional gyro are combined in a fresh salad form to create a colourful and filling dish known as gyro salad. Imagine slices of gyro meat on top of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and tangy red onions, all of which are topped with creamy tzatziki sauce. This salad is very adaptable in addition to being aesthetically pleasing.
Add your preferred toppings, like feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and olives, to personalise it. You can have a satisfying meal that is low in calories by using gyro meat, which can be made from either lamb or chicken. We all love the authentic touch that comes with using store-bought or homemade tzatziki sauce. This salad will quickly become a mainstay in your kitchen because it’s great for lunch, dinner, or even meal prep. For another flavor-packed favorite, check out our Snappy Salad Bam Bam Salad copycat recipe.
Are you up for the challenge of making this delicious dish? Let’s start with the basics!
How to Make Homemade Gyro Meat (or Use Store-Bought)
Making your own gyro meat is a great way to get the real flavour of a gyro salad. However, buying store-bought meat will suffice if you’re pressed for time. I’ll give you a recipe for lamb gyro meat as well as one for chicken.
Ingredients for Homemade Gyro Meat
For Lamb Gyro Meat:
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Chicken Gyro Meat:
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the mix: In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for either lamb or chicken gyro meat. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- Chill: Cover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help the flavors meld.
- Cook: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Form the meat into a loaf shape and place it on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25–30 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Cool & Slice: Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly. This can be used immediately or stored for later use.
Although using homemade gyro meat will add new flavours to your salad, if you’re in a hurry, don’t be afraid to use your preferred store-bought gyro meat!
How to Make the Best Tzatziki Dressing for Gyros
The secret ingredient that unifies your gyro salad is tzatziki sauce. Making this creamy, garlicky condiment at home is simple. Let’s begin!
Ingredients for Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the cucumber: Grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess moisture using a cheesecloth or paper towel.
- Mix ingredients: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh dill.
- Season: Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix until well combined.
- Chill: Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
This tzatziki sauce is not only perfect for your gyro salad but can also be used as a dip for veggies or pita chips.
How to Assemble a Gyro Salad (Step-by-Step)
Now that we have our delicious meat and tzatziki dressing, it’s time to assemble the perfect gyro salad! Let’s break it down.
Ingredients for Gyro Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, etc.)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Your prepared gyro meat (lamb or chicken)
- Tzatziki sauce (for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the base: In a large bowl, layer the mixed greens as the base.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, olives, and feta cheese over the greens.
- Place the meat: Add a generous portion of your homemade or store-bought gyro meat on top of the salad.
- Drizzle sauce: Top with a few dollops of your tzatziki sauce.
- Serve: Toss gently to combine, or serve in individual bowls for a beautiful presentation!
Feel free to add additional toppings or swap out ingredients based on your preferences to make this salad truly your own!
Easy Meal Prep Tips for Greek Gyro Salads
If you’re looking to prepare your gyro salad ahead of time, here are some tips for successful meal prep:
- Keep ingredients separate: Store your veggies, meat, and tzatziki sauce separately until you’re ready to eat. This will keep everything fresh and crunchy.
- Use airtight containers: Invest in good quality meal prep containers to ensure everything stays fresh for days.
- Portion control: Make individual salads in smaller containers for easy grab-and-go lunches.
- Use pita bread: Consider preparing homemade pita bread to enjoy alongside your salad for a complete meal.
Quick recipe:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
Mix and knead for 8–10 minutes, let rise 1 hour, roll out, and cook on a hot skillet 2–3 minutes per side.
With these meal prep strategies, you’ll always have a delicious and nutritious gyro salad ready to go!
Easy and Delicious Gyro Salad Recipe
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- baking sheet
- cheesecloth or towel
- Knife and cutting board
- salad bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground lamb or chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin or coriander (depending on meat choice)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, etc.)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (optional)
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for tzatziki)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tzatziki)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground lamb or chicken with garlic, oregano, cumin/coriander, salt, pepper, paprika, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly.
- Cover and chill the meat mixture for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
- Form meat into a loaf and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 25–30 minutes. Let rest and slice thinly.
- Grate and drain cucumber. Mix with Greek yogurt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Chill tzatziki for 30 minutes.
- Assemble salad by layering mixed greens in a bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, and feta cheese.
- Top salad with sliced gyro meat and generous dollops of tzatziki. Toss gently or serve individually.
Notes
- Make it ahead by storing meat, veggies, and tzatziki separately.
- Use lamb or chicken as preferred.
- Add pita bread on the side for a full meal.
- Tzatziki doubles as a dip or sandwich spread.
- Keeps well in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gyro salad?
A gyro salad is a healthy, flavorful dish that consists of fresh greens topped with sliced gyro meat, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and tzatziki sauce. It incorporates all the beloved components of a traditional gyro but in a lighter format.
Can I use store-bought gyro meat for my salad?
Absolutely! While homemade gyro meat often tastes best, you can easily use high-quality store-bought gyro meat to save time. Just heat it up and enjoy it alongside your salad.
How do you make tzatziki sauce?
To make tzatziki sauce, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped fresh dill. Season it with salt and pepper, and let it chill for the best flavor.
Is gyro salad a good option for meal prep?
Yes! Gyro salad is a fantastic option for meal prep as you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and keep them fresh by storing them separately. This way, you can enjoy a healthy meal throughout the week!
What ingredients can I add to enhance my gyro salad?
You can customize your gyro salad by adding ingredients like olives, avocado, bell peppers, or even roasted chickpeas for added protein and flavor. Your salad can be tailored to your preferences!
Final Thoughts
To sum up, a gyro salad combines the satisfying tastes of a traditional gyro with the crispness of a salad, giving you the best of both worlds. You can incorporate this delicious dish into your meals on a regular basis with these simple recipes for homemade gyro meat and tzatziki sauce, as well as practical meal prep advice. For more ideas to keep your salad game strong, don’t miss the ultimate compendium of salad recipes. So why not try it? Your palate will appreciate it!