From street food to homemade delight: Mastering Greek gyros
This is a classic street food that has won over palates not only in Greece, its homeland, but also internationally. A homemade version of this dish will make you forget about ordering takeaways.
Gyros, similar to the Turkish döner, means "turn" and refers to the preparation method – meat is roasted on a vertical spit and then sliced into thin pieces. Although Greeks and Turks debate the origin of this method, culinary historians more often attribute it to the Turks. In the 19th century, döner kebab was popular in the Turkish city of Bursa and spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. The Greeks modified the recipe by replacing lamb with pork and adding tzatziki sauce. This speciality quickly became popular street food in Athens and Thessaloniki, and numerous Greek communities emerged in Europe and the United States.
Recipe for homemade gyros
Traditionally, gyros are made from pork, usually from ham or shoulder, but chicken breast, lamb, or beef tenderloin can also be used. A crucial step is marinating the meat. First, cut it into relatively thin strips, then place it in a bowl and cover with olive oil, mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, paprika, nutmeg, and chopped fresh mint and parsley leaves. It's also worth adding a teaspoon of ready-made gyros or kebab seasoning.
Place the prepared meat in the fridge for at least an hour, although experts suggest marinating it overnight for the best flavour and aroma. Later, you can cook the meat in a pan. Fry the marinated meat in batches until it is browned and well-cooked on each side. Avoid adding too much meat at once to ensure it fries well rather than stews.
Oven-baked gyros
You can also prepare gyros meat in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan). Spread the marinated meat in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the meat is golden and well-cooked. You can stir it halfway through baking.
How to serve gyros?
Gyros can be served in pita bread, bought or baked at home. The pita dough needs flour, salt, yeast, and olive oil. Once risen, the dough is shaped into flatbreads and cooked on a pan. Gyros are served with accompaniments such as lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and tzatziki sauce made from yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, and olive oil.
