Beef Instant Pot Gyros
User Reviews
5
24 reviews
Excellent
-
Prep Time
20 mins
-
Cook Time
1 hr 30 mins
-
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
346 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Beef Instant Pot Gyros
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This recipe prepares gyro-style beef using a blend of dried spices rubbed on a marbled beef roast, which is seared and then pressure-cooked in an Instant Pot. Sliced red onion and beef broth add moisture and flavor. The cooked beef is served with traditional toppings like tzatziki, cucumber, tomato, and can be paired with cauliflower rice or pita bread.
Description
Beef Instant Pot Gyros utilize a complex dry rub combining spices such as cumin, parsley, sesame seeds, garlic powder, oregano, coriander, rosemary, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. These spices provide a layered aromatic profile, distinctive of gyro meat. The beef roast is cut into chunks, thoroughly rubbed with the spice mix, and seared on all sides using the Instant Pot's sauté function, developing a browned crust that enhances flavor.
The Instant Pot then pressure-cooks the beef with sliced red onions and beef broth, tenderizing the meat and infusing it with moisture and the spice blend. After cooking, the beef is typically served with fresh toppings like sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and optional herbs such as mint or dill, alongside tzatziki sauce. Serving options include cauliflower rice for a low-carb choice or warmed pita bread.
This method condenses the traditional slow cooking of gyro meat into hours, maintaining flavor and tenderness. Using Better Than Bouillon base for broth adds depth. The recipe originates from a cookbook specializing in paleo pressure cooking.
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Ingredients
For the dry rub
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon parsley dried
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon Coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the roast
- 1 beef roast well marbled (2-3 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large red onion sliced (DIVIDED)
- 1 tablespoon garlic smashed and minced
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- lemon for cooked beef, juice from half
To assemble
- tzatziki sauce
- cauliflower rice
- cherry tomato sliced
- cucumber sliced
- mint chopped (optional, fresh
- dill chopped (optional, fresh
- pita bread optional, warm
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine all the spices. If you are missing one or two of the ones that only call for 1/4 or 1/8 of a teaspoon, don't sweat it.
- Place the beef on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Use a sharp serrated knife to cut the beef into 2 or more chunks (the more cuts you make, the faster it will cook.)
- Rub the spices all over the beef chunks. Use all of it!
- Turn your Instant Pot on to the "Sauté" setting. When it is nice and hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any oil will do). Add half of the beef to the hot oil (don't crown the pan, or your meat will not sear properly.) Sear for about 1-2 minutes, until well browned. Use tongs to flip the meat over. Sear the other side for 1-2 minutes and remove to a plate.
- Continue searing the other half of the meat.
- When all the meat is browned, turn off the sauté setting. Add all the meat to the pot, as well as HALF of the sliced red onion (save the other half to garnish the meat after it's cooked), 1 tablespoon garlic, and 1/2 cup beef broth. Don't add the lemon juice right now.
- Put the lid on the pressure cooker and make sure the valve is set to "Seal."
- Pressure cook on high for 90 to 110 minutes. If you have a smaller roast (or cut into several chunks) choose 90 minutes. If you have a large roast and only cut it in half, choose 110 minutes.
- Let the pressure cooker release naturally for 10-15 minutes (that means don't do anything for 10 minutes when it beeps).
- Use a long spoon to carefully move the valve over to "Vent." Lots of angry steam will come out the top.
- Open the lid and take out a forkful of meat. Taste it and see if it is as tender as you want it to be. If it's still chewy, replace the lid, bring it back up to pressure and cook another 10 minutes.
- When the meat is done, remove from the pressure cooker and shred.
- If you prefer to have the meat crispy on the edges, (this step is optional) spread the shredded meat out onto a baking sheet and drizzle with some of the cooking juices. Broil on high, with the rack close to the flame, for about 5-10 minutes, checking every 2 minutes to flip the meat and make sure it's not on fire. (Hey, broilers are no joke.)
- Squeeze lemon juice all over the shredded beef.
- Serve the beef with Tzatziki Sauce (not optional!)
- You can present it burrito-bowl style with Tzatziki Sauce, Cauliflower Rice, (or regular rice) cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, sliced cucumbers, and fresh herbs. OR you can serve these as gyros, which would be all of the above (minus the cauliflower rice) wrapped up in a warm pita.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Prepare the meat as described, but there is no need to chop into smaller chunks. Sear the meat with the oil in a pan on the stove, using medium high heat. (Same times as above)
- Add the meat, red onion, garlic, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Cook on low for about 8 hours until fork tender.
Notes
- Use Better Than Bouillon Beef Base with water for the broth for deeper flavor.
- Cut the beef roast into smaller chunks for faster cooking and better spice adhesion.
- If missing some of the minor spices in the rub, it will still work well without them.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Calories
346kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
30g
(60%)
Fat
23g
(35%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
(12%)
Monounsaturated Fat
12g
(60%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
104mg
(35%)
Potassium
632mg
(13%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
87IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
7mg
(8%)
Calcium
63mg
(6%)
Iron
4mg
(22%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 346 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 346kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 23g | 35% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 104mg | 35% |
| Potassium | 632mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 87IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 7mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 63mg | 6% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
24 reviews
Excellent
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