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4.9 from 348 votes

Beef Gyros (Slow Cooker or Instant Pot)

This Beef Gyro recipe produces the most flavorful and tender beef, and can be made in a slow cooker or instant pot. Topped with fresh vegetables, and a homemade tzatziki sauce, this tasty dish couldn't be easier to make from home!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 5
Calories: 798 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Greek , International

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds beef chuck roast , sliced into thin quarter inch strips
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
For serving:
  • 5 soft pitas
  • 5 lettuce leaves
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1/4 of a red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 English cucumber , sliced, and then halved
Tzatziki Sauce:
  • 1 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic , finely minced
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the Tzatziki Sauce: Combine all ingredients and stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For Slow Cooker:
  1. Remove any large pieces of fat from the beef roast and then slice the meat into thin, 1/4 inch strips. Place in the bottom of the slow cooker. 
  2. In a small bowl combine the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, thyme, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pour over meat. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or until beef is tender.
  3. Add a lettuce leaf to a pita. Top with meat, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and tzatziki sauce.
For Instant Pot:
  1. Remove any large pieces of fat from the beef roast and then slice the meat into thin, 1/4 inch strips. Place in Instant pot.
  2. In a small bowl combine 1/3 cup of WATER, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, thyme, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. Pour over meat.
  3. Cover and turn the valve to "sealing." Press "manual" or high pressure, and set the timer for 30 minutes.
  4. After the timer beeps allow the instant pot to rest for 15 minutes before releasing any of the pressure. Remove the lid, taste, and add additional seasonings if needed.
  5. Add a lettuce leaf to a pita. Top with meat, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and tzatziki sauce.

Notes

  • Make Ahead Instructions: The tzatziki sauce can be made and all the vegetables can be sliced and prepped ahead of time, just keep everything in separate containers in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • Freezing Instructions: The beef can be frozen in a freezer safe bag before or after cooking. My preference is to freeze before cooking. Thinly slice the beef and place in a freezer bag with the beef gyro marinade, then freeze. Let thaw completely in the fridge then dump and cook in the instant pot or slow cooker.

Nutrition Information

Calories 798kcal (40%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 63g (126%) Fat 44g (68%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 24g Trans Fat 2g Cholesterol 190mg (63%) Sodium 898mg (37%) Potassium 1285mg (37%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 2062IU (41%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 188mg (19%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 798

% Daily Value*

Calories 798kcal 40%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 63g 126%
Fat 44g 68%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 24g 120%
Trans Fat 2g 100%
Cholesterol 190mg 63%
Sodium 898mg 37%
Potassium 1285mg 27%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 2062IU 41%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 188mg 19%
Iron 8mg 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.