Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (2024)

By Lisa MarcAurele · · 17 Comments

Jump to Recipe

Did you know that homemade gyro meat is easy to make using a simple recipe? Many commercial versions aren't keto-friendly because they use bread crumbs. But this delicious recipe is low-carb and gluten-free!

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (1)
Article Index
  • Step By Step
  • What is gyro meat?
  • Is the meat keto friendly?
  • Other Recipes to Try
  • Gyro Recipe
  • Recipe

Gyros have become a popular dish in America. They’re available in many restaurants and also considered a new kind of fast food.

Unfortunately, typical American version contains hidden carbs and gluten. That’s why I prefer to make a simple homemade gyro meat recipe!

The process is so simple. Just mix the ingredients in a mixing bowl, blender, or food processor. Then transfer everything to a loaf pan and bake until it’s ready!

The recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or to satisfy your craving for Greek take-out.

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (2)

Step By Step

This dish comes together in just a few simple steps. All you have to do is mix and bake!

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the lean ground beef, ground lamb, minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, pork rind crumbs, rosemary, ground thyme, dried oregano, ground coriander, and salt and pepper.
Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (3)
  1. Using a paddle attachment, blend the ingredients on high until the mixture forms a sticky paste. You can also use a food processor or blender for this step.
  2. Transfer to a well-greased loaf pan. Press the meat mixture into the bottom.
  3. Place in the oven and bake at 325°F for 55 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven, drain any excess liquid or fat from the loaf pan, then let the loaf cool for 15 minutes.
Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (4)
  1. Cut the loaf into thin slices. If you prefer crispier meat, place the slices under the broiler on high for 2-3 minutes.

Your homemade gyro meat is ready to enjoy! Top with freshly chopped parsley and serve with a side of keto tzatziki sauce.

What is gyro meat?

Wondering what kind of meat is in a gyro? The answer depends on where you’re ordering from!

Traditional gyros from Greece are often made with pork. But typically, the Americanized version uses finely ground beef and lamb instead. You’ll often see a pork version as a separate option on the menu.

So how is the meat made?

The name comes from the Greek word for “turn.” This is because the meat is often cooked on a vertical rotisserie. If you’ve ever gone into a Greek restaurant, you may have seen this process.

But since most of us don’t have one of those at home, I decided to make my homemade version in the oven instead.

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (5)

Is the meat keto friendly?

Meat is commonly suggested as an easy keto take-out option. But most commercial gyro meat is made with bread crumbs!

That’s why I’m wary about ordering certain main dishes from restaurants. Unless you’re able to ask them specifically what’s in the recipe, you won’t know for sure if it’s keto friendly.

To keep carbs low in this recipe, I substituted the bread crumbs for crushed pork rinds. It’s a simple switch that still gives us that perfect gyro texture.

Plus it means this homemade version is low-carb and gluten-free!

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (6)

Other Recipes to Try

Looking for some more delicious keto meal ideas? Check out a few of these favorites:

  • Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole combines all the classic flavors of this comfort food without the carbs!
  • Fried Cabbage with Sausage is a one pan skillet dinner that’s great to whip up on a busy weeknight.
  • Dry Rub Chicken Wings are oven-baked to perfection and flavored with an easy blend of spices!
  • Chicken and Shrimp Stir-Fry with broccoli is easy to make for a paleo, keto, and low-carb friendly dish.
  • Keto Ground Beef Stroganoff comes together in one pan for a quick and delicious dinner packed with flavor!

Gyro Recipe

Whether you’re craving Greek take-out or just looking for a fun and easy dinner, definitely try this gyro meat recipe. Prep only takes minutes and it’s packed with delicious flavor!

You can certainly enjoy this dish all on its own. Or you could make low carb wraps with coconut flour tortillas and keto tzatziki sauce!Serve with a side of my keto hummus for a full Greek take-out experience.

Follow us on FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, and INSTAGRAM for even more tasty keto-friendly recipes!

Recipe

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (7)

Homemade Gyro Meat

4.93 from 14 votes

It's so easy to make your own keto friendly meat for gyros! Many commercial versions use breadcrumbs, but this delicious recipe is low-carb and gluten-free!

Prep Time:15 minutes mins

Cook Time:55 minutes mins

Total Time:1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Print Pin Review Recipe Save Recipe

Servings: 6

Calories: 365

Video

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Lean ground beef
  • 1 lb. Ground lamb
  • 4 tsp. Minced garlic
  • ¼ cup Finely chopped red onion
  • 1 oz. Pork rinds pulsed into crumbs
  • 1 tsp. Rosemary
  • 2 tsp. Ground thyme
  • 1 Tbsp. Dried oregano
  • ½ tsp. Ground coriander
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Freshly chopped parsley for garnish if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

  • In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for the ground parsley. Blend the ingredients on high with a paddle attachment until the mixture forms a sort of sticky paste. If you do not have a paddle attachment for your mixer, you can use a blender or food processor to accomplish this as well.

  • Press the meat mixture into the bottom of a well greased loaf pan, and bake for 55 minutes.

  • Drain any excess liquid or fat from the loaf pan, and let the loaf cool for 15 minutes.

  • Thinly slice the loaf, and heat the slices under a broiler on high for 2-3 minutes if a more dried and crispy gyro meat is desired.

  • Top with freshly chopped parsley as garnish if desired, and serve.

Notes

Serve in keto-friendly wraps like low-carb tortillas or on top of salads.

Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart

Nutrition

Calories: 365 | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 282mg | Potassium: 523mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 6mg

Additional Info

Net Carbs: 3g | % Carbs: 3.5% | % Protein: 36.9% | % Fat: 59.7% | SmartPoints: 11

Notes on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.

Copyright

© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tricia

    This came out so beautiful that I took a picture

    Reply

  2. jennifer

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (9)
    Yikes, I didn't know most gyro meat had bread crumbs - in fact, I wan't 100% sure what kind of meat(s) it was -- great idea to swap for the ground pork rinds.

    Reply

  3. Donny

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (10)
    I had no idea it was this easy! Thanks!

    Reply

  4. Megan Stevens

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (11)
    We love eating gyro when we go to the Middle East. This is a genius idea and recipe! Thank you!! It's so nice to have it at home, and such an easy recipe! 🙂

    Reply

  5. Kelly

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (12)
    So good! Tender, juicy and flavorful!

    Reply

  6. BETTY HICKSON

    Hi Lisa,

    I would like to thank you very much for all the wonderful recipes you send. My husband stays on a no carb diet (diabetes, heart problems) I have not tried any recipes yet, but they sure look good, and will be doing so. I don't do the no carb or sugar free, but I certainly welcome the tasty foods that are not loaded with sugar, carbs, fat, etc. It is a blessing to keep these things at bay for all of us. Just wanted to say thanks again, and I will be following you and cooking up recipes of yours. Also, thanks for quickly sending replies to questions about your recipes, sometimes answers are needed pretty quick.

    Reply

    • Lisa MarcAurele

      You're welcome Betty! Hope the recipes work out for you.

      Reply

  7. Astrid

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (13)
    I adore Greek food but can't always make it to the restaurant or fairs. I am definitely trying this recipe. Looks scrumptious, thanks for putting this together. Can't wait!!!

    Reply

  8. Jean Choi

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (14)
    Would never have thought to use pork rinds, but what a great idea! Tastes like the real deal!!

    Reply

  9. Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (15)
    Mmmm this looks delicious. I don't eat lamb, so will make it with pork and beef ~ Do you think that this will work? The combination of herb/spices is sure to make a winning result! Thanks.. Always looking for new ideas.

    Reply

    • Lisa MarcAurele

      Pork and beef will work. It just has a slightly different taste.

      Reply

  10. Steve

    Which did you use, baked or fried pork rinds?

    Reply

    • Lisa MarcAurele

      Either are fine to use in the recipe. My favorite brands to use are Epic (baked) or Small Batch (fried) pork rinds.

      Reply

  11. LadyJ

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (16)
    Oh my, this is so good! I found out (the hard way) about gyro meat not being gluten-free after spending 3 days sick from eating some gyro meat. Lesson learned the hard way! So I was excited to see this recipe and I had to try it. I made mine into meatballs and cooked them in the oven. I served it some whipped feta dip and it was AMAZING! Now I don't have to miss having my gyros when the craving hits. Thank you for sharing = )

    Reply

  12. Lisa

    A delicious recipe!

    Reply

  13. Hope

    Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (17)
    Love how this meat is exactly like what you would get from a restaurant - thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Homemade Gyro Meat Recipe (Keto) (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat gyro meat on keto? ›

One of the main components of this diet is eating high-fat, low-carbohydrate foods. Gyro meat is one such food that can be part of a keto diet. This article will discuss the numerous reasons to incorporate gyro meat into your keto diet plan.

How many carbs are in gyro meat only? ›

Gyro meat, beef and lamb (2 ounce) contains 5.1g total carbs, 4.6g net carbs, 16.6g fat, 9.2g protein, and 209 calories.

How does gyro meat stick together? ›

Processing the meat in the food processor and overworking it ensures that the proteins in the meat stick together, like sausage. Essentially, this prevents the meat from falling apart. Use all lamb, all beef, or substitute the lamb for sausage.

What is most gyro meat made of? ›

Typical American mass-produced gyros are made with finely ground beef mixed with lamb. For hand-made gyros, meat is cut into approximately round, thin, flat slices, which are then stacked on a spit and seasoned. Fat trimmings are usually interspersed. Spices may include cumin, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and others.

Can you eat unlimited meat on keto? ›

Meat and poultry are popular with people on the keto diet because they're high in fat and very low in carbs. However, scientists have found links between eating too much meat on a regular basis and health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and excess weight.

What meats should I avoid on keto? ›

MEATS TO AVOID ON KETO

While most meats are keto-friendly, there are some that should be avoided due to their high carbohydrate count. These include: Battered or breaded meats, like chicken nuggets or fried fish filets. Meats served in sweet sauces, like barbecue sauce or Hoisin sauce.

Is gyro meat very unhealthy? ›

Traditional gyro meat combines beef and lamb, which can be higher in fat, particularly saturated fat. For a leaner option, chicken or turkey gyro can be chosen. These poultry choices offer a lower fat content, making them a healthier alternative without compromising taste.

Why is gyro meat high in carbs? ›

Gyros are most often made with lamb meat, which is relatively low in calories and contains abundant protein. Consuming lamb also provides you with some vitamins and minerals, but its healthy profile is tempered by higher fat and cholesterol numbers. There are no carbs in gyro meat.

How many carbs are in tzatziki sauce? ›

Tzatziki sauce (yogurt and cucumber) (2 tablespoon) contains 1.4g total carbs, 1.2g net carbs, 1.3g fat, 0.7g protein, and 19 calories.

What is the binder in gyro meat? ›

To prepare gyros is just like making a meatloaf, but with the addition of cornstarch. That might seem like a strange ingredient in this recipe, but it acts as a binder and helps the meat stay together so when you cut the loaf into thin slices, the slices are flexible and will hold together, instead of crumbling apart.

What bread is best for gyros? ›

Sharing is caring! This Greek pita bread is fluffy, soft, and delicious.

What is Arby's gyro meat made of? ›

Arby's Traditional Greek Gyro features a blend of beef, lamb and Mediterranean spices sliced from a spit rotisserie and placed on a warm flatbread with lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, tzatziki sauce and Greek seasoning.

Why are there no lamb gyros in Greece? ›

Lamb Gyros

Gyros, which are inspired by the Turkish doner kebab, aren't native to Greece. According to estimates, gyros didn't make their way there until the 1920s. Though popular in the U.S., lamb gyros are hardly consumed at all in Greece.

Why does gyro meat taste so good? ›

Gyros get their distinctive taste not only from the slowly roasted meat but also from traditional Mediterranean seasonings. The meat is generously spiced with dried oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and black pepper before cooking.

Is gyro meat a processed food? ›

processed meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie (The.

Is lamb meat keto friendly? ›

There are plenty of types of red meat you can eat on a keto diet, including all cuts of steak, beef, lamb, mutton, and veal.

Are gyros diet friendly? ›

Since these gyros are made with lean pork tenderloin or skinless chicken breasts, they make for a low-calorie meal. This makes them perfect for anyone wishing to not add more inches to their waistline or people trying to lose a few pounds. The gyros are topped with a tzatziki sauce made with plain yogurt.

How many carbs in a gyro with tzatziki sauce? ›

Honor Health Grilled Gyro With Tzatziki Sauce (1 serving) contains 73g total carbs, 69g net carbs, 24g fat, 20g protein, and 610 calories.

Is turkey deli meat keto friendly? ›

keto-friendly meats, cheeses & more

Variety is key to Keto success. That's why Dietz offers a wide range of keto-friendly deli meats like Buffalo Style Chicken and Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast. Plus tasty cheeses such as Originals cheddar and provolone.

References

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