Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2024)

By Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan 25 Comments

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This post is sponsored by House Foods. All opinions are my own.

Stuff a warm pita bread with tender spiced tofu, lettuce, tomatoes, and vegan tzatziki to make these delicious grilled tofu gyros!

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (1)

I’ve always been of the opinion that there’s no reason for vegetarians to feel left out when it comes to grilling. The majority of plant-based foods taste delicious when grilled, and while it takes a little bit of finesse, grilled tofu is no exception. Here I’ve marinated it in a blend of Greek inspired seasonings and umami ingredients to make it worthy of your grill.

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2)

You can certainly use tahini sauce or hummus instead of vegan tzatziki, but I encourage whipping some up if you can access plain non-dairy yogurt. I tested this with both coconut yogurt (my fave) and almond yogurt (something I eat begrudgingly) and thanks to the punchy vinegar and dill flavors, it tastes great either way.

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (3)

I put some french fries in my tofu gyros because they’re sometimes included and I am a potato lover. Optional! Any grilled vegetables you happen to be cooking up would also be nice additions here. I rounded my pita bread out with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, some extra fresh parsley, and a few slivers of red onion.

If you give this grilled tofu gyros a try, let me know! Making it is as simple as firing up the grill, picking up some pita bread and House Foods tofu at the grocery store, and whisking together a simple marinade. I hope you enjoy this gyros minus the meat!

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (4)

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (5)

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5 from 23 votes

Grilled Tofu Gyros

Tofu is dipped in a Greek-inspired savory marinade, grilled to perfection, and drizzled with dairy-free tzatziki to make these grilled tofu gyros.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean, refined sugar-free

Keyword grilled greek tofu, tofu gyros

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 4 servings

Calories 392kcal

Author Yup, it's Vegan

Ingredients

For the vegan tzatziki:

  • 1 cup shredded cucumber (about 1 medium-large cucumber)
  • 1 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (I tested this recipe with both coconut and almond yogurts)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small clove garlic minced or grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (or use lemon juice)
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh dill

For the savory grilled tofu:

For the grilled tofu gyros:

  • 4 pita breads
  • vegan tzatziki (recipe above)
  • savory grilled tofu (recipe above)
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
  • cooked French fries (optional)

Instructions

For the vegan tzatziki:

  • Sprinkle the shredded cucumber with salt and place it in a colander to drain for 10-15 minutes.

  • Stir together the yogurt, oil, garlic, salt, and vinegar in a bowl. Take the cucumber and squeeze out any more excess liquid using your hands or cheesecloth. Stir it into the mixture until well-incorporated. Finally, stir in the fresh dill. Season to taste and store cold.

For the savory grilled tofu:

  • Open the tofu, drain liquid from the package, and then wrap it in a clean towel, placing a heavy object on top of it to press out excess liquid from it. (Or use a tofu press). Let the tofu press for 10-15 minutes.

  • Preheat your grilling implement and make sure the grates are cleaned and well-seasoned with oil.

  • Mix together all of the ingredients for the tofu marinade until smooth. Cut the tofu width-wise into 8 approximately-equal slices. Use a baking dish or a large plate to pour the marinade over the tofu slices, then turn them over to coat both sides.

  • Grill the tofu pieces on an outside edge of the grill (don't use the hottest part; low-and-slow helps make the tofu a little chewier and crispier). Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, flipping halfway through. You want to see the tofu getting a little bit crisp on the outside with nice browning.

  • If desired, brush the tofu with a little bit more of the extra marinade after cooking.

For the grilled tofu gyros:

  • If desired, warm the pitas on the grill or however you prefer. Add two slices of tofu to each pita, along with plenty of lettuce, tomato, tzatziki, French fries if using, and any other toppings of choice. Enjoy hot.

Notes

Nutrition facts exclude French fries and assume only half of the sauce is used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pita with tofu and toppings | Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 1099mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2950IU | Vitamin C: 45.4mg | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 7mg

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2024)

FAQs

What is vegan gyro made of? ›

Absorb yourself in a bit of Greek culture when you serve these Vegan Gyros. This recipe consists of fluffy pita bread, filled with spiced, meaty mushrooms, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Finish it off with a desirable, garlicky, homemade Tzatziki sauce, and you'll have a tough time sharing.

What is authentic gyro meat made of? ›

In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.

Should gyros have lettuce? ›

Gyros are a delicious sandwich for lunch or dinner, with spiced, grilled meat topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a flavorful tzatziki sauce. You can find tzatziki in the refrigerated condiment section of the grocery store or make your own using Greek yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, and fresh dill.

How many meats are in a gyro? ›

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.

Is gyro a junk food? ›

If served in large portions or with calorie-dense sauces and dressings, the gyro meal can become high in calories and unhealthy. Including an abundance of fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions, can add essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber to the dish.

Is pita bread vegan? ›

At its core, pita bread consists of four plant-based ingredients – flour, water, yeast, and salt. This makes, you guessed it, pita bread vegan!

What type of bread is used for gyros? ›

When serving gyros, you want to look for pocketless pita bread, which can also be referred to as “hand-pulled”. Naan or flatbread can also work in a pinch. Then, pile on the meat, tzatziki sauce, chopped tomatoes and thinly sliced onion.

Is gyro meat highly processed? ›

Contrary to popular belief, authentic Greek gyros are NOT processed meat. Traditionally, gyros are made from slices of marinated chicken, or lamb, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-cooked to perfection.

What's the difference between gyro and shawarma? ›

The main difference between shawarma and gyro is the type of meat used. Shawarma is typically made with chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb, while gyro is traditionally made with pork. Shawarma is also cooked on a vertical rotisserie, while gyro is cooked on a horizontal rotisserie.

Do Greek people actually eat gyros? ›

It is most commonly made with lamb, but beef and pork are also available. In Greece, gyros are a popular meal choice. Greek food culture is deeply rooted in the regions across the U.S. Historically, Greeks began to migrate to the United States after World War II to escape the economic hardships of their homeland.

Is a gyro unhealthy to eat? ›

To sum it up, the typical gyro truly contains a lot of protein and several vitamins and minerals, making it pretty healthy. As an outcome, you can order some and offer it to your guests as a whole meal with a side of veggies for a tasty dish to enjoy for lunch or supper.

What kind of meat is Arby's gyro? ›

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.

What is the most popular gyro meat? ›

In Greece, pork is perhaps the most common meat you'll find in gyros apart from lamb. Found in many regions of the country, pork fat trimmings are typically added to gyros in order to achieve maximum flavor.

How many calories in a vegan gyro? ›

Energy: 208 calories
Protein14.6g
Carbs13.1g
Fat9.5g

What is gyro slices made of? ›

Classic gyro meat is made of thinly sliced, well seasoned pork, but can also be made with lamb, chicken, or beef. This homemade gyro meat recipe utilizes ground meat that is well pressed together, to get a similar consistency. Can you eat gyro on keto?

What does a Greek gyro have in it? ›

A traditional Greek gyro is a delicious Greek dish made from thinly sliced meat baked on a vertical spit and served with a tangy sauce called tzatziki. It is most commonly made with lamb, but beef and pork are also available. In Greece, gyros are a popular meal choice.

What is gyro meat cut off of? ›

Traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, gyro meat is a juicy, extremely flavorful cone-of-meat (usually lamb, or lamb and beef) that's seasoned with salt, herbs and spices and then sliced to order.

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