So on that happy note, let’s talk about these super simple and delicious lamb gyros with spicy tzatziki. If you guys have learned anything from reading this blog, you know that I don’t love to do things the normal way. I think this is mostly because I need to keep things “spicy” in the kitchen. I’d get super bored doing things that are the same and common. I personally think it keeps things fun and exciting, and if I do share a recipe that is more traditional I definitely have to put a fun little twist on it.
I mean there is this recipe…
and this one…
…oh and this one, too.
I could probably go on for days and days, but no one has time for that.
When I made these gyros, I had a ton of lamb leftover from Easter brunch. When I was thinking of fun and interesting ideas to put this leftover lamb to use, a sandwich was at the top of that list. So the recipe below for how to cook the leg of lamb I had already cooked the day before. I totally recommend doing this if you are crunched on time because the lamb does take a couple of hours to marinate, but the flavor is oh so amazing and totally necessary!
I totally love this recipe, and I hope you guys do too! Pair these lamb gyros with a brown ale because I love, love, love brown ales with lamb! Have a wonderful day everyone! xo
Ingredients
For the Lamb
- 3 pound boneless leg of lamb
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning Italian seasoning may be substituted
- 2 cloves of garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Spicy Tzatziki
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mayo
- 1/2 cucumber peeled and diced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce of choice
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
For the Lamb Gyros
- 12 slice of pita bread
- 1 cup spicy tzatziki from above
- 1 cucumber sliced thin
- 3 Roma tomatoes sliced
- 2 large red bell peppers sliced thin
- 1 medium red onion sliced thin
- 2 avocados peeled, pitted and sliced thin
- 3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 3 pounds cubed or sliced lamb from above
- chopped fresh parsley or dill for garnish
Instructions
For the Lamb
- Remove the lamb from it's packaging and set aside. In a large bowl (that has a fitted lid), whisk together the oil, lemon juice, rosemary, Mediterranean seasoning, garlic, salt and black pepper. Place the lamb in the large bowl and toss to coat with the mixture, rubbing it in where necessary. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
- Once the lamb has marinated, remove from refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with foil and then place an oven-safe rack on top. Place the lamb directly on the rack, then place in the oven and cook until a probe meat thermometer reads 145 degrees F for medium rare, about 1 hour (I cook my lamb to 135 degrees F for rare, but you may cook your lamb to the temperature of your liking). Remove the lamb from the oven and let rest for at least 15 minutes. Once the lamb has rested, cut into cubes or strips and set aside.
For the Spicy Tzatziki
- To a high-powered blender of food processor, add the Greek yogurt, mayo, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, hot sauce, chipotle chili powder, salt and black pepper. Puree on high until smooth and creamy. Pour into an airtight container and refrigerator until you are ready to use.
For the Lamb Gyros
- To assemble your lamb gyros, spread a thin layer of spicy tzatziki on a slice of pita bread and then layer on cucumber, tomato, pepper, onion, avocado, feta cheese, and lamb. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill and enjoy immediately.
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37 Comments
Those look delicious Justine! I’m all for changing things up, I don’t think everything needs to be completely traditional and never changed, where’s the fun in that?! And spicy tzatziki sounds amazing and I’m totally making that soon. Why shouldn’t it be spicy? Yum!
You’re the best. Thanks Stacey!
One of the best recipe that really inspire everyone. A well written recipe that really helped me lots. I am looking forward for more of such delicious recipes in coming days.
So I guess you know you’ve “made it” in the blogging world when you get hate mail about your recipes. :) I will continue to strive. But seriously, your recipe sounds amazing, looks delicious, and undoubtedly tastes the best. Better than anything anyone else is comparing it to! Sorry people suck. You rock.
Haha, leave it to you look on the bright side of things, Meggan. I love you for that. Thanks girl!
Love these lamb gryos! Tzatziki is one of my favourites! Lovely recipe, Justine! :D
Thank you so much, Jessica!
Holy yum! These are like the ULTIMATE gyros! You piled so much heaven into these, Justine! I am completely blown away. I NEED these for lunch today!
Thank you, Sarah! <3
Is it bad that I want this for breakfast right now? This seriously looks amazing, Justine! You are reminding me that I haven’t had gyros in forever! I definitely need to change that. Love your pictures, too! Pinned!
Haha, no this is not bad at all, Gayle. Thanks girl!
Man, people sending hate mail about a recipe. That’s sad man. Don’t you just want to write back and tell them a thing or two about a thing or two? Well, this looks amazinggggg, as do ALL of your recipes- I can’t wait to make this, I’m hungrrrryy now!
Yes, yes I do Stephanie. ;) Thanks girl!
Interesting disclaimer, I can’t believe people do that. Anyway who cares if it’s really traditional or not, I love your lamb gyro, looks fabulous, and wouldn’t mind sinking my teeth into it now!
Aw, thanks Jo! You’re the best. ;)
Seriously people send hate mails over recipes? Well yes, I have kind of experienced that too and that is just sad! you rock Justine and your recipes are fabulous! Keep up the good work. There’s never a hard and fast rule when it comes to cooking. It’s all about creativity!
It is totally sad! Thank you so much, Manali!
Justine, these sound delicious. It makes me so sad and mad that people would actually send you hate mail. What is wrong with people now a days? Do they not have anything better to do. Well forget them because this looks delicious and I wish I could eat that one right there! I love that it is homemade and fresh! Pinned!
Aw, thank you Cyndi. xoxo
These look incredible, girl! I love how you changed it up with your own twists, you are so creative and totally rock!
Thanks girlfriend! <3
These sound wonderful! I love your creative twist on the original (no need to feel bad about that) Love the pictures!
Thank you so much, Kelley!
It can be really scary coming out with an international recipe as people can be very serious about them! You did an awesome job with this gyro, too! I just made a killer leg of lamb for Easter and wondered why I don’t make it more often. It’s so easy, and you can have more gyros! Pinned. :)
I’m all for more gyros! Thank you so much Marcie!
I always love seeing a new spin on old favorites! These look totally amazing!
Thank you, Ashley!
Justine, these gyros are gorgeous!!! and what’s the normal way?! :P dude, I love people who mix things up!!!
Thanks, Alice! <3
These sandwiches look awesome! Love the pictures! And LOVE your disclaimer! Can’t even believe you got “hate mail”, I just love every single recipe here! And tzatziki has no mayo in it! I was born in that part of the world (close to Greece and I’m familiar with the cuisine), but avoid to call some of my recipes “Greek”, they are always “Greek inspired”, because there seem to be people that know better than us :)))
Haha. I knew you of all people would understand. xoxo
Oh I just LOVE lamb. It’s one of my favorite meats. And gyros are the best. These look amazing. Wish I had one right now! And a beer of course!
Awe, thank you Liz! Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks super yummy and I love gyros. Plus a huge bonus is that I currently have a boneless leg of lamb in my freezer. Can’t wait to try these!!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the recipe!! We will be Making soon omitting the pita and serving on a salad to make GF. Iām sure it will be scrUMPtious!! ššš