Gyro Sauce On Keto: What You Need To Know

Gyros are a popular dish in America, but the traditional version is loaded with carbs and gluten. The good news is that you can easily make a keto-friendly version at home by using a low-carb pita or naan and a few simple swaps for the sauce.

The gyro meat itself, typically lamb or beef, is keto-friendly as it's rich in protein and healthy fats while being relatively low in carbohydrates. However, when served in a pita sandwich with high-carb accompaniments, it can be challenging to fit into a strict keto diet.

By making your own gyro meat and sauce, you can enjoy this Mediterranean delicacy without compromising your low-carb goals. So, get ready to fire up that oven and satisfy your gyro cravings!

Tzatziki sauce: is it keto-friendly?

Tzatziki sauce is a popular condiment for gyros, but is it suitable for those following a keto diet? The answer is yes! Tzatziki sauce is made with ingredients that are keto-friendly and low carb.

The traditional ingredients in tzatziki sauce include extra virgin olive oil, cucumber, mint, garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and Greek yogurt. While Greek yogurt is typically high in carbs and sugar, it can be substituted with any plain low-carb yogurt to make it keto-friendly.

The key to keeping tzatziki sauce keto-friendly is to use fresh ingredients and avoid adding any unnecessary sugars or starches. The longer the sauce sits to marinate, the better it tastes. It is important to squeeze out the excess water from the grated cucumber to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.

When served with gyro meat, which is also keto-friendly, tzatziki sauce adds a creamy and tangy flavour that complements the spices and seasonings of the meat. However, it is important to note that traditionally, gyros are served in pita bread, which is not keto-friendly due to its high carb content.

To enjoy tzatziki sauce with gyro meat while staying within keto guidelines, consider using low-carb alternatives such as keto naan, coconut flour tortillas, or serving it over a salad. With its combination of fresh and tangy flavours, tzatziki sauce is a delicious addition to any keto-friendly gyro meal.

How to make keto-friendly gyro sauce at home

Gyro sauce, or tzatziki sauce, is keto-friendly. It is made with just a few ingredients, most of which are already keto-friendly. These include extra virgin olive oil, cucumber, mint, garlic, fresh lemon juice, salt, and Greek yogurt.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup full-fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2.5 ounces cucumber, seeded and grated (about 1/4 whole cucumber)
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Grate the cucumber and use a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much water as possible. This will prevent the sauce from becoming too watery.
• In a small bowl, combine the grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the ingredients.
• Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. The sauce can be made ahead of time, as it will only get more flavorful as it sits and the ingredients marinate.

This keto-friendly gyro sauce can be used as a topping for your favorite gyro meat, whether it's lamb, beef, or chicken. Enjoy it with some low-carb pita bread or lettuce wraps for a delicious and healthy meal.

Keto gyro meat ingredients

Gyro meat is typically made from seasoned, thinly sliced meats like lamb, beef, or a mixture of both. When making keto-friendly gyro meat, it's important to avoid using bread crumbs as they can add unnecessary carbohydrates. Here are the ingredients and steps to make keto-friendly gyro meat:

Ingredients:

• Ground lamb
• Ground beef
• Spices (oregano, cumin, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, rosemary, garlic powder)
• Onion
• Pork rinds (optional)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Combine ground lamb and ground beef in a bowl or food processor. You can use either one of the meats or a combination of both, depending on your preference.
• Add diced onions and spices like cumin, oregano, marjoram, thyme, black pepper, and rosemary to the meat mixture. You can adjust the spice quantities as per your taste.
• For an extra crispy texture, add crushed pork rinds to the mixture. This step is optional but helps achieve the traditional gyro texture while keeping it keto-friendly.
• Mix all the ingredients until they form a sticky paste. You can use a food processor or blender for this step if you prefer.
• Transfer the meat mixture to a well-greased loaf pan.
• Place the loaf pan in a preheated oven and bake at 325-350°F for 40-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove the gyro loaf from the oven and let it rest for about 10-20 minutes.
• Thinly slice the gyro meat. For crispier meat, you can place the slices under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
• Serve the keto-friendly gyro meat with your choice of accompaniments, such as lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese.

You can also use this gyro meat as a base for various keto-friendly recipes like gyro meatballs, keto Greek salad, gyro stuffed peppers, or gyro meat skewers. Enjoy your homemade, keto-friendly gyro meat!

How to make keto gyro meat

Gyro meat is keto-friendly, but the accompaniments it is traditionally served with are not. Typically, gyro meat is made from seasoned, thinly sliced lamb, beef, or a mixture of both. This combination of meat is rich in protein and healthy fats, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet.

However, when served in a pita bread sandwich, with high-carb accompaniments like onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki sauce, it can pose a challenge for strict keto dieters.

Ingredients:

• Ground lamb
• Ground beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Pork rinds
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Coriander
• Salt and pepper
• Freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, ground beef, minced garlic, finely chopped red onion, pork rind crumbs, rosemary, ground thyme, dried oregano, ground coriander, and salt and pepper.
• 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.
• Transfer the mixture to a well-greased loaf pan and press it into the bottom.
• Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55 minutes.
• Remove the loaf pan from the oven and drain any excess liquid or fat.
• Let the meat loaf cool for 15 minutes before slicing it thinly.
• If you prefer crispier meat, place the slices under the broiler on high for 2-3 minutes.
• Top with freshly chopped parsley (optional) and serve.

You can serve this gyro meat in keto-friendly wraps like low-carb tortillas or on top of salads.

Enjoy your homemade, keto-friendly gyro meat!

How to assemble a keto gyro

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need to assemble a keto gyro include:

• Gyro meat (lamb, beef, or a combination)
• Keto-friendly pita/naan/flatbread or lettuce leaves for wraps
• Tzatziki sauce
• Fresh vegetables (e.g. tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
• Feta cheese
• Other toppings of your choice (e.g. avocado, bell peppers)

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

The first step is to prepare the gyro meat. You can either cook it yourself or use store-bought gyro meat slices. If cooking it yourself, the meat is typically a combination of ground lamb and beef, mixed with spices such as oregano, garlic, black pepper, and paprika. Form the meat mixture into a loaf and bake it in the oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Toppings and Sauce

While the meat is cooking, prepare your toppings and sauce. Chop any fresh vegetables you plan to use, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. If making your own tzatziki sauce, combine Greek yogurt with cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Assemble the Gyro

Once the meat is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly. If using a keto pita/naan/flatbread, warm it up and place a few slices of meat on it. Top with vegetables, feta cheese, and a generous amount of tzatziki sauce.

If using lettuce wraps, place the meat slices and toppings on a large lettuce leaf, add the vegetables and sauce, and roll it up.

Step 4: Enjoy!

Your keto gyro is now ready to be enjoyed! You can also get creative and add other toppings or spices to suit your taste preferences.

Tips:

• Make sure to check the ingredients of store-bought gyro meat, as some may contain breadcrumbs, which are not keto-friendly.
• You can make the meat and tzatziki sauce in advance and store them in the refrigerator until you're ready to assemble your gyro.
• If you want to reduce the carb count further, opt for a dairy-free yogurt alternative in the tzatziki sauce.

Frequently asked questions