Gyros, a popular dish in Greek cuisine, has a history that traces back to the 19th century. The origin of gyros can be linked to the doner kebab of Turkey and the shawarma of the Middle East. The method of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie, then thinly slicing it to serve in a pita or with rice, was brought to Greece by immigrants. Over time, the dish evolved to include various seasonings such as oregano, garlic, and thyme, giving it the distinctive flavor enjoyed today. Gyros gained widespread popularity in the United States during the 20th century, becoming a staple in Greek restaurants and food carts across the country. Its flavorful taste and convenient handheld format have made gyros a beloved option for many seeking a quick and satisfying meal.

There are some health benefits to this meal aside from the protein and fiber content. There are obvious nutritional benefits in the salad portion but the tzatziki sauce has it’s own benefits. It is a traditional Greek condiment made with dairy-free yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs and offers several health benefits. First, the probiotics in dairy-free yogurt used in tzatziki sauce can promote a healthy gut microbiome, aiding in digestive health and overall immunity. Second, cucumbers are low in calories and high in water content, helping with hydration and weight management. Third, garlic, a key ingredient in tzatziki sauce, contains allicin, a compound known for its antibacterial and antiviral properties, contributing to immune system support. Finally, the herbs like dill not only enhance flavor but also provide antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation in the body, so you can feel good about that.

You could go all out and make your own seitan for gyros but if you are like me you don’t always want to put that kind of time and energy into it. Thanks to companies making awesome vegan meat substitutes, You can make gyros at home quite easily. I wish I could find a gyro place that would make vegan gyros but until then I will make them myself.

For the gyro “meat” you will need the following ingredients:

1 package of ground beef substitute. Results will vary depending on the brand of vegan ground beef substitute you use. I used Target’s Good and Gather brand. it needs to be the uncooked kind that mimics raw ground beef.

1/2 of a small onion diced very small or grated

1 Tablespoon of minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of pepper

1/2 teaspoon of marjoram

1/4 teaspoon of thyme

Mix all of the ingredients together and press the meat into a loaf pan. bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Once it’s done cooking take it out of the oven and let it sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. The 10 minute rest allows the juices that came out during cooking to be reabsorbed.

slice the meat into very thin pieces and serve on a soft pita with tzatziki sauce and salad topping.

For the tzatziki sauce you will need:

1 cup of plain vegan yogurt

1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic

1 teaspoon of dried dill

the juice of half a lemon

1/2 teaspoon of sugar

1/2 cup of cucumber diced very small

salt and pepper to taste

Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice then add it to all of the other ingredients except for the salt and pepper. Once those ingredients are mixed together you can taste it to see if you want salt and pepper.

For the salad you will need:

1/2 head of romaine lettuce

1 ripe tomato diced

1/2 cup of diced vegan feta cheese {if you can’t find vegan feta you can leave it off}

1/4 of an onion sliced very thin

1/4 cup of olive oil

1/4 cup of lemon juice

1 teaspoon of sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Dissolve the sugar in the lemon juice then add it to the olive oil. Toss all of the other ingredients except for the salt and pepper together with the lemon juice and olive oil mixture. Taste the salad to see if you want salt and pepper.

Vegan Gyros

Vegan Dirty Rice

Vegan Cornbread