This post has been compensated by Foster Farms. As always, all opinions are mine.
This Greek Turkey Gyros with Tzatziki recipe is healthy, easy and delivers restaurant worthy crispy edges with a surprising technique!
As you know, one of my 2018 goals is to eat more nutrient dense meals - which means more fruits, vegetables and of course lean sources of protein. So, how does fragrant, crispy edged turkey showered with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and onions and drizzled with a tangy tzatziki sauce and wrapped in a pillowy pita sound? Scrumptious, right? These easy greek turkey gyros are proof that cleaner eating habits doesn't mean boring or time consuming meals.
If you've been following ACT for a while, you know I'm a fan of Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey. Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey is not only free range, certified organic turkey meat but is also antibiotic, steroid and hormone free and raised locally in California's Central Valley. Foster Farms is the only California -grown, organic fresh ground turkey on the market and, IMHO, truly the best ground turkey ever! The flavor, texture and overall quality of meat is just better than any that I have tried and works beautifully in these Greek Turkey Gyros with Tzatziki... and this Cuban Style Turkey Picadillo and these Hatch Chile Turkey Burgers.
Ok, back to these easy greek gyros....
Traditional greek gyros are made by layering thin slabs of pork, lamb and sometimes chicken on a large vertical spit and then grilled - think Shwarma or Al Pastor Tacos. Lots of thinly sliced meat that's a bit crispy around the edges - Yum!!! Now, if you happen to own one of those spits.. well you can stop reading right now. But if not...here's how you do it!!!
How to make Greek Turkey Gyros
First gather up all your ingredients...
Chop up the onions and garlic in a food processor and add the turkey and seasonings. You want to mix the meat until you have a paste like consistency...
Then form your turkey into a nice little loaf shape, wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight. If you can't wait that long, pop it into the freezer for a about 10 minutes - you want that meat cold!
Then unwrap and bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes. Cool and then slice into ¼ inch slices. Brush slices with olive oil and pop under the broiler for about 5 minutes. Then turn the slices, brush with olive oil and broil for another 3 - 5 minutes!
While the turkey is cooking, chop up your tomatoes, cucumbers and onions and make the tzatziki sauce.
Then assemble these easy Greek Turkey Gyros and devour!
📖Recipe
Greek Turkey Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ onion, roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 pound Foster Farms Organic Ground Turkey
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup torn lettuce
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt
- ¼ cup diced cucumber
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed
- 2 Tablespoons minced fresh dill
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
For Turkey Gyros
- Add the onion and the garlic to a food processor. Using the "pulse" setting, process until finely chopped but not pureed.
- Add the turkey meat, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Process until thoroughly mixed and the turkey has a paste like consistency, about 3 minutes.
- Scoop the turkey mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Using a rubber spatula, form the turkey into a loaf approximately 6 inches long and 1 - 11/2 inches high by 4 inches wide. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour (and up to overnight) OR place in the freezer for 10 minutes.Pre heat the oven to 300 degrees if proceeding straight to cooking the turkey.
- Cook the turkey for appoximately 30 - 40 minutes until the turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.While the turkey is cooking, make the tzatziki sauce and prepare the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions.
- Remove from the oven and cool. Slice into ¼ inch thick slices. Place on a sheet pan and brush with olive oil. Broil for 3 - 5 minutes or until the edges are crispy. Turn the slices, brush with olive oil and broil for another 3 - 5 minutes.
- divide the slices evenly between 4 pita breads and top with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and cucumbers and drizzle with tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition
Cathy A says
I had never thought about making gyros until now. What a fun recipe.
Nancy says
Thanks Cathy! They are really good! Had to work fast though.. my son kept snagging pieces off the sheet pan :-)!
Nick @ GreekBoston.com says
We're always looking for easy and healthy recipes for our busy household. And Greek recipes are even better 🙂 I usually sub turkey meat for beef anyway so will have to try this one.
Nancy says
Hello Nick!
I truly hope you enjoy it!!!
Brandi says
These look delish! I haven't tried them with turkey yet, so I will definitely be trying out this recipe!
Molly Kumar says
This literally made me so hungry! The patties look cooked to perfection and the gyro is so flavorful. I'll have to try this soon.
Patty K-P says
What a quick alternative to the slow cooking traditional gyros!
Mark says
I like to try turkey alternatives to beef to reduce fat and create lighter meals, but they usually disappoint. Not this time. This is a creative turkey dish that tastes more substantial and flavorful than most turkey alternatives.