Pork Gyros Recipe

Greeks enjoy pork gyros, a popular street snack that combines tender pork that has been marinated, flavorful spices, and a variety of fresh toppings. The homemade tzatziki sauce offers a cold and creamy part, and the pork is marinated to add layers of taste.

The flavor of Greek pork gyros may be replicated in your kitchen with a few basic ingredients and minimal preparation. This recipe will wow your family and friends whether you’re holding a party or are just in the mood for a tasty and filling lunch.

Ingredients (For four servings)

There are ingredients you’d need to prepare your taste buds for a delicious rainbow of flavors with this recipe for pork gyros. These colorful and tasty ingredients combine to produce a culinary masterpiece with a Greek influence that will leave you wanting more.

For the Pork Marinade:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless pork shoulder or leg, thinly sliced
• Three cloves of minced garlic
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• One tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• One tablespoon of dried oregano
• One teaspoon of ground cumin
• One teaspoon of smoked paprika
• One teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• One cup Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cucumber grated and squeezed to remove excess moisture
• Two cloves of garlic, minced
• One tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
• One tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
• One tablespoon of chopped fresh dill
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

• Four pita bread rounds
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced red onions
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• French fries (optional)

Equipment Needed for Making Pork Gyros:

There is the primary equipment needed to make pork gyros. They ensure a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. I advise you to have them ready before you start cooking. This equipment includes:

• Grill or Grill Pan: The marinated pork is best cooked on a barbecue or grill pan. It gives the meat the desired charred flavor and flavor of smoke. If you don’t have a grill, use a regular skillet or a grill pan.

• Skewers: To grill the pork slices, you’ll need skewers. Pick metal skewers that can hold the meat firmly and are long enough. To keep them from burning on the grill, soak wooden skewers in water for about 30 minutes before threading pork into them.

• Cutting Board and Knife: After grilling, you’ll need a cutting board and a sharp knife to slice the marinated pork into thin, bite-sized pieces.

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need these to prepare the pork and the tzatziki sauce marinade.

• Resealable Bag or Shallow Dish: Essential for marinating the pork as it allows the meat to be coated evenly with the marinade.

• Grater: For grating the cucumber for the tzatziki sauce.

• Spatula or Tongs: Comes in handy for flipping and handling the pork slices on the grill.

8. Toaster or Grill for Pita Bread: Warm up the pita bread and give it a slight crispness.

Guide on How To Prepare Pork Gyros

1. Prepare the Pork Marinade

• Pork should be thinly sliced and placed in a large, sealable bag or a shallow dish.
• Mix the minced garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. A paste for a marinade should be produced by thoroughly combining.
• Distribute the marinade over the pork, ensuring each slice is covered. As you massage the marinade into the meat, evenly distribute it.
• To enable the flavors to permeate the meat, seal the bag, cover the dish, and chill for at least two hours or overnight.

2. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

• Mix the Greek yogurt, finely chopped fresh dill, extra virgin olive oil, cucumber, minced garlic, and salt and pepper in a bowl.

• Stir the mixture well, taste, and make any necessary seasoning adjustments.

• Keep the tzatziki sauce in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.

3. Cooking the Pork

• Heat your grill or grill pan to a moderately high temperature.

• Leave the marinated pork out of the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature.

• Insert the marinated pork slices onto skewers. Leave little room between each piece to allow heat to pass through.

• Grill the pork skewers for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip/turn them halfway through or until thoroughly cooked and gently browned.

• After the meat has finished cooking, take the skewers off the grill and let the pork a few minutes to rest.

• Transfer the pork to a cutting board and thinly slice it into bite-sized pieces.

4. Assembling the Gyros

• Warm the pita bread on the grill or a toaster until soft and pliable.
• Spread a generous amount of tzatziki sauce on one side of each pita bread round.
• Layer the sliced pork, tomatoes, red onions, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta cheese (if desired) on top of the tzatziki sauce.
• Fold the pita bread in half, enclosing the filling.

5. Serving

• Serve the pork gyros immediately while still warm.
• Optionally, serve with a side of French fries for a complete Greek experience.

Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Pork Gyros

I tried something new the last time I made this recipe, which gave me a wonderful result. You might be interested in it. Here are a few tips and tricks to enjoying the delightful combination of tender pork, aromatic spices, and vibrant toppings, all wrapped in delicious pita bread:

• Choose a well-marbled, tender cut of meat, like a boneless pork shoulder or leg, for the excellent pork gyros. When cooking, these cuts have enough fat to preserve the meat’s flavor and moisture. Thinly slice the meat for consistent cooking and simple assembly in the gyro.

• Pork should be marinated in a mixture of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and spices for at least a few hours, preferably overnight, to give it the most flavor. This makes the meat more flavorful and tender, making the gyros more succulent and delicious.

• A true gyro experience requires the pork to have a little charred and smoky skin. Turning the marinated pork occasionally, grill it over medium-high heat until it acquires lovely grill marks and is thoroughly cooked. This improves the texture of the gyros overall and adds depth of flavor.

• One of the main ingredients of pork gyros is the sour and creamy tzatziki sauce. To avoid a watery sauce, take the time to press the extra moisture from the shredded cucumber completely. Mix premium Greek yogurt, fresh garlic, lemon juice, and herbs like dill to make a tart and flavorful tzatziki.

• A good gyro is only complete with various fresh and flavorful toppings. Thinly slice tomatoes, red onions, and fresh parsley to add brightness and texture. Consider adding crumbled feta cheese for a creamy and salty element. Serve your gyros with warm pita bread and optional accompaniments like French fries to create a satisfying and authentic Greek meal.

1. Can I use a different cut of pork for gyros?

Yes, boneless pork shoulder or leg is the most typical cut for gyros, but you can also try pork loin or tenderloin. Make sure the meat is finely sliced to enable the meat to cook evenly.

2. Can I use chicken instead of pork for gyros?

Absolutely! In gyros, chicken may make a delectable substitution for pork. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts and prepare them similarly to how you cook pork.

3. Can I make pork gyros without a grill?

If you don’t have a barbecue, you can cook the marinated pork on the stovetop in a skillet or grill pan. Cook the pork pieces in the pan until they are thoroughly cooked and have developed a light sear.

4. Can I make the marinade and tzatziki sauce in advance?

Certainly! The tzatziki sauce and marinade can both be made ahead of time. The marinade flavors will even improve if you let the pork marinate for an entire night. Before serving, the tzatziki sauce can be kept in the refrigerator for a day or two.

5. Can I freeze the marinated pork?

You can certainly freeze any leftover marinated pork. Store the marinated pork in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. The pork should be defrosted in the fridge before grilling or frying.

6. Can I substitute Greek yogurt with regular yogurt for tzatziki sauce?

While Greek yogurt is typically used to make tzatziki sauce, you can also use plain yogurt. You should strain ordinary yogurt first to achieve a thicker consistency because it tends to have more moisture.

7. Can I customize the toppings in pork gyros?   

Absolutely! You are welcome to change the toppings to suit your tastes. If you want to spice up the dish, add other ingredients like thinly sliced cucumbers, kalamata olives, or spicy sauce. Be inventive and personalize the toppings to your liking.

8. Can I make vegetarian or vegan gyros?

Yes, it is possible to make great vegetarian or vegan gyros by substituting tofu or seitan for pork. Assemble the gyros with vegan tzatziki sauce and your preferred toppings after marinating and cooking the plant-based protein as directed.

Conclusion

You have prepared a delicious batch of pork gyros serving four people. The combination of tender marinated pork, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings creates a satisfying and flavorful meal. Gather your loved ones, wrap the gyros in pita bread, and enjoy the taste of Greece right at your table.