Classic Greek Lamb Gyro

This recipe combines tender, marinated lamb with refreshing tzatziki sauce and crisp veggies wrapped in warm pita. It's a celebration of flavors that you can easily recreate at home!

Ingredients

For the Lamb Marinade:

• 1 lb (450g) lamb shoulder or leg, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber, grated and excess moisture squeezed out
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Gyro Assembly:

• Pita bread (4-6 pieces)
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced red onion
• Shredded lettuce

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the Lamb:

   • In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
   • Add the sliced lamb to the marinade and coat thoroughly. Cover and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour, up to overnight for better flavor development.

2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:

   • In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, dill or mint, salt, and pepper. Stir well and adjust seasoning to taste. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

3. Grill the Lamb:

   • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the lamb from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip off.
   • Grill the lamb slices for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. Remove from the grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing further if necessary.

4. Assemble the Gyros:

   • Warm the pita bread on the grill for about 30 seconds on each side.
   • Place a generous portion of grilled lamb on the pita, then top with tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and shredded lettuce.

5. Serve:

   • Roll up the pita and secure it with parchment paper or foil if desired. Serve immediately with any extra tzatziki on the side.