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Beef/ Hearty Dinners/ Summer Lovin'

Ground Beef Gyros (Smash Gyros!)

August 1, 2023 (Last Updated: August 2, 2023) by Chris Collins

Let me introduce you to your new favourite way to make beef gyros!

Are these the most traditional gyros you’ll ever make? Not even close. BUT, are they delicious and fun to make? Absolutely. Follow me…

close up shot of ground beef gyros on wire rack in foil

Smash Beef Gyros

If you haven’t seen the viral smash big mac tacos flying around the internet, you could be living under a rock. I was going to give them a shot, but quite frankly I live next to a McDonald’s and the real thing seemed more appealing. Nevertheless, I liked the idea of smashing the meat into the tortilla. It got my brain ticking and, well, here we are!

The Beef

I highly recommend using high-fat beef (20%). It helps keep the meat juicy and flavoursome. It’s going to be spread quite thin, so the more fat, the better the chance they won’t dry out in the pan. We’re also going to season the meat with a simple concoction of store-cupboard spices.

The Bread

You’ll want to use Greek-Style Flatbreads, which you’ll find in most supermarkets. They’re fairly thick, meaning they make a nice sturdy platform for the beef to cling to. You’ll want to spread the meat right to the outside of the bread – it shrinks quite a lot in the pan!

Frying Smash Gyros

When it comes to frying the gyros, you’ll want to start off with a dash of oil for the first one, then just use the excess fat from each one to continue. I wipe out most of the fat after each one, leaving a little behind for the next. You’ll want to fry them meat-side-down until they build up a crust and are no longer pink (you can lift the bread to check).

Process shots: season meat (photo 1), mix (photo 2), add to flatbread (photo 3), spread (photo 4), fry meat-side-down (photo 5), flip (photo 6).

6 step by step photos showing how to make smash beef gyros

Beef Gyros

I was about to type something along the lines of ‘the toppings may not be traditional’ but I’m literally here smashing beef into a flatbread, so traditional has firmly gone out the window. Either way, these are my favourite toppings:

  • Tzatziki – Store-bought or Homemade Tzatziki.
  • Salad – Here I use lettuce, tomato and red onion.
  • Fries – I can’t resist!!
  • Feta – Just a small crumbling on top.
  • Dill – A few pinches finish these gyros off beautifully!

Process shots: place gyro on chopping board (photo 1), add tzatziki (photo 2), add lettuce (photo 3), add tomato and onion (photo 4), add fries (photo 5), add feta, dill and more tzatziki (photo 6).

6 step by step photos showing how to make beef gyros

close up shot of unfolded beef gyros on wooden board

Serving Beef Gyros

Depending on how much filling you’ve got, you can try and roll them or just eat them like a giant taco. I usually fold them and wrap the ends in foil to keep them in shape. I don’t serve these with any sides as they’re so hearty!

For another (slightly more traditional) gyro recipe check out my Chicken Gyros!

Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for these smash gyros shall we?!

close up overhead shot of minced beef gyros

How to make Beef Gyros (Full Recipe & Video)

close up shot of ground beef gyros on wire rack wrapped in foil

Ground Beef Gyros (Smash Gyros!)

Let me introduce you to your new favourite way to make beef gyros!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Servings (click & slide): 4
Course: Dinner / Lunch
Cuisine: American / Greek
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 551kcal
Cost per serving: £2.50 / $3

Equipment:

  • Medium Sized Mixing Bowl (for meat)
  • Large Pan & Spatula (for frying)
  • Kitchen Paper
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
  • Foil (for wrapping gyros - optional)

Ingredients (check list):

Smash Gyros

  • 500g / 1lb Minced/Ground Beef (see notes)
  • 1.5 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1 tsp EACH: Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander, Smoked Paprika
  • 3/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp EACH: Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder
  • 4 Greek-Style Flatbreads (see notes)
  • Olive Oil, as needed

Toppings

  • Tzatziki (homemade or store-bought)
  • Fries
  • Lettuce, Tomato & Red Onion
  • Feta
  • Fresh Dill

Instructions:

  • Add the beef to a medium-sized mixing bowl and sprinkle over all of the seasoning. Use your hands to combine until the seasoning is evenly dispersed. Don't squeeze the beef into oblivion otherwise it'll come out chewy - just enough to mix everything together.
  • Divide the meat into 4 and evenly spread it over each flatbread, ensuring you cover the entire surface and right to the outside (it will shrink).
  • Add a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add a flatbread meat-side-down and gently press down with a spatula. Fry for 3-4 mins, or until the beef is no longer pink and it has built up a bit of a crust (you can lift the flatbread to check).
  • Flip the flatbread over and fry for 30 seconds to heat through and lightly toast the other side. Remove from the pan, wipe out most of the fat then add the next one in.
  • Stack the gyros with tzatziki, lettuce, tomato, onion, fries, more tzatziki, feta and a pinch of dill. Tuck in and enjoy!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Beef - I recommend using high fat beef to keep the meat juicy & flavoursome. 20% is best!
b) Flatbreads - You'll find Greek-Style Flatbreads in most supermarkets, often near the tortilla wraps & pita breads.
c) Toppings - I haven't added measurements, as it's all measured with love. You can remove any toppings you really don't like, I just love this combo. For the Tzatziki I highly recommend my Homemade Tzatziki!
d) Fries - I usually whack these in the air fryer at the start and they're usually done by the time you need them, but you can bake them if you'd prefer. If you want to take things up a few notches try adding my Greek Feta Fries!
e) Calories - Just the smash gyros without toppings assuming 1/2 tbsp oil for frying.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Ground Beef Gyros (Smash Gyros!)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 551 Calories from Fat 266
% Daily Value*
Fat 29.58g46%
Saturated Fat 10.301g52%
Trans Fat 1.497g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.183g
Monounsaturated Fat 12.869g
Cholesterol 89mg30%
Sodium 912mg38%
Potassium 471mg13%
Carbohydrates 40.58g14%
Fiber 2.7g11%
Sugar 4.63g5%
Protein 28.79g58%
Vitamin A 322IU6%
Vitamin C 0.1mg0%
Calcium 152mg15%
Iron 5.97mg33%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition is based on the absence of salt unless stated as a measurement in the ingredients. Cost is worked out based on ingredients bought from UK supermarkets, then divided by the number of servings. In both instances these values are just for guidance. Please check out my FAQ Page for more info.
Tried this recipe?Show me how you got on by tagging @dontgobaconmyheart_ on IG and #dontgobaconmyheart
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  • Reply
    Simon
    August 8, 2023 at 12:23 pm

    5 stars
    Great seasoning and texture. Will definitely be making again. Quite tempted to try a sausage style patty with bacon, egg, fries and tomato at some point. Partner really enjoyed them.

    I did make a bit of an error on my own part which is nothing to do with the recipe but I hedged by bets between burger-style and Greek toppings on the same gyros rather than try one then one and that caused a clash (relish and tzatziki did not go at all) but it could definitely take either separately.

    Also, incredibly quick to make. Definitely going to be a mid-week go-to.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      August 9, 2023 at 11:12 am

      Cheers Simon! Love the idea of breakfast style ones! Thanks for the review 🙂 C.

    5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER