Sheet Pan “Cheat” Beef Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki

The easiest way to make gyros at home — no rotisserie required!

These “cheat” beef gyros are a total game changer, y’all. I was today years old when I discovered this method for cooking the beef, and I absolutely can’t gate-keep it. You get all the rich, herby, garlicky flavor of a traditional gyro — without the fuss.

The secret? Mixing everything together and baking it on a sheet pan. It gives you that perfectly seasoned, slightly crisped edge and juicy, tender center every single time. Pile it high on warm pita bread with a generous scoop of homemade tzatziki, quick-pickled red onions, tomatoes, and a crumble of feta, and you’ve got dinner perfection.

This recipe is quick, family-friendly, and makes amazing leftovers — perfect for meal prep or easy weeknights when you want something hearty and fresh at the same time.

For the Beef Gyros:

• 2 lbs ground beef (would be great with turkey or lamb)

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• ½ tablespoon cinnamon

• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley

• 1 tablespoon dried dill

• 1 tablespoon cumin

• 2 tablespoons salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 eggs

• Olive oil, for brushing

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 2 cups sour cream or Greek yogurt

• ¼ cucumber, finely diced

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• Juice of ½ lemon

• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

• Pinch of salt

Pickled Red Onions:

• ½ red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• ½ tablespoon rice vinegar

• ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• ½ tablespoon minced garlic

• Pinch of salt

To Serve

• Warm pita bread

• Diced tomato

• Crumbled feta

• Fresh cilantro or parsley

• Lemon wedges

• Drizzle of olive oil

Instructions

1. Make the Beef Gyro Meat
   Preheat oven to 415°F.
   In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, garlic, cinnamon, thyme, parsley, dill, cumin, salt, pepper, soy sauce, Worcestershire, and eggs until well combined.

2. Shape and Bake
   Spread the mixture evenly onto a sheet pan, pressing out any air bubbles. Score the top with a knife (this helps it cook evenly) and brush lightly with olive oil.
   Bake for 15 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

3. Make the Tzatziki
   In a bowl, combine sour cream (or Greek yogurt), diced cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and salt. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to use.

4. Pickle the Red Onions
   In a small bowl, combine sliced red onions with soy sauce, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and salt. Let sit for at least 10 minutes to soften and marinate.

5. Assemble the Gyros
   Warm pita bread in the oven or on a skillet. Spread a generous spoonful of tzatziki, then top with slices of the baked beef, pickled red onions, diced tomato, feta, cilantro, and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.