This Vegan Gyros Recipe is made with freshly grilled eggplants, bell peppers, portobello mushrooms, onions and tomatoes. I topped it with a super easy Vegan Tzatziki, making this the best farmer’s market recipe.
In my never ending quest to go eat vegan foods only, I had to make a vegan version of this classic Greek recipe.
If you want to make this a vegetarian gyro, add feta cheese or goat cheese to it.
Originally published on May 26, 2015. Click here to see why this recipe was updated.
Making these gyros
Can I take a quick digression to sing praises of Greek food?
I love Greek recipes and I have been often created recipes with the same passion. There was my Vegetarian Souvlaki, Vegan Tzatziki, Tahini, Brussel Sprouts, hummus and even a Nachos recipe
I got addicted to tzatziki in when I was working in New York. Nobody does Greek food quite like New York!
Gyros are one of the top 5 unofficial comfort foods of New York. If you are find yourself in Queens, go to the Astoria neighborhood and you will see what I am talking about. There is a restaurant on 23rd street that serves some of the best gyros.
I made my vegan eggplant gyros with grilled veggies because it really brings out the flavors of the veggies. If you are not a fan of eggplant, you can make this a mushroom gyro too and use french fries too.
How to pronounce “gyro”
Its hard to find anything controversial about gyros, but, there is one thing that really gets people fired up.
“How to pronounce gyro” has often been a heated debate in many Greek restaurant. I have heard it pronounced so many different ways and I am not even sure which is correct.
Personally, I like to pronounce it as “Jai-rows”. I hear that “hero” is the correct way to pronounce it, but, I respectfully disagree.
How do you get “hero” from “gyro”?
The trick to a good gyro is a heavy duty flatbread pita. It has to be strong enough to handle ALL the wonderful toppings and doesn’t get soggy under a mountain of tzatziki.
This is my favorite flatbread to use. What do you think?
You can even do a quick warming of the flatbread stove top to make it more malleable.
What to serve with these gyros
Gyros love to be the center of attention! That’s why they like sides that make them taste even better!
I love sides like these puff pastry pinwheels and avocado tomato salad. Veggie chips like beet chips and butternut squash fries are also a delicious on the side.
Jenn has compiled a big list of sides for gyros. You will find veggie sides and so much more on this list.
What do you like to serve with gyros?
Vegan Gyros Recipe with Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
For the Gyros
- 2 flatbreads
- 1/2 eggplant cut into rounds
- 2 portobello mushrooms cut into strips
- 1 plum tomato cut into strips
- 1/4 red onions cut into strips
- 1/2 red bell peppers cut into strips
- 1/2 green bell peppers cut into strips
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt optional
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tsp lime juice
- cilantro for garnish, optiona
- 1/2 cup baby kale or any greens
For the Tzatziki
- 1/2 cucumber shredded
- 1 tsp black pepper freshly chopped
- 1/2 cup parsley freshly chopped
- 1/4 cup carrots shredded
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 Tbsp flax seed meal
- 1.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp agave
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 Tbsp matcha powder
- 1 Tbsp warm water
- 3 cups vegan yogurt
Instructions
- Click here to make the tzatziki.
For the Gyros
- In a bowl, add the oil, salt, red pepper flakes and spices
- Place the veggies into the bowl and mix well
- Warm up a stove-top grill on medium heat.
- Place the mushrooms and eggplant on one side
- Place the bell peppers on the grill and flip them after about 2 minutes
- Flip the eggplant rounds and the mushroom strips after about 3 minutes
- Turn off the grill and place the grilled veggies on a plate
- Take a flatbread and lay it flat on a plate
- Top the flatbread with tzatziki
- Add a few leave of baby kale
- Add a few plum tomatoes and red onions
- Add some of the grilled eggplants
- Add some of the grilled portobello
- Add grilled bell peppers
- Top with tzatziki again, garnish with the cilantro and wrap the gyros
- Assemble the second gyros and enjoy it with a friend!
Notes
Nutrition
Version 1
Did you do a double take? Occasionally, I will revisit previous recipes and do a makeover on them. You probably came to this recipe based on “vegetarian gyros” where the photo looked more like the one above?
However, I decided to re-vamp the recipe and bring you the new version you see above. The original version had fries in it but the new one doesn’t. I wanted to emphasize more veggies in this gyros recipe.
I think you will like the new version.
So, feel free to provide your opinion below on how to properly say, “gyro”
My original recipe for gyros can be found here.
Oh my, those look amazing. I must try these out with the family
Thank you, Amanda. I think you will like them.
What a fun and unique way to use fries. I love sweet potato fries and this would be a great way to use them in a recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Stacy. The sweet potato fries are sooo delicious.
My family loves the sweet potato fries. These gyros look so yummy.
Thank you, Tara. French fries are the ultimate comfort foods.
These look so good. I love the idea of using sweet potatoes. Yum!
Thank you, Jessica.
These look so good. I never would have thought to use sweet potato fries in a gyro. Genius.
Thank you, Jessica.
I had a gyro last night (takeout) and it was soooo good! Now I want to make one at home. This one looks perfect!
Thank you, Liz. Gyro are such fun foods.
How yummy does this look?? I love a great wrap!
Thank you, Debra
This looks delicious and how creative, too! I love Alexia fries and often buy them. 🙂
Thank you, ManillaSpoon. I have always used them. Their fries are so delicious.
Dear Rini, What a creative idea for the Alexia fries! Sounds like a great twist. xo, Catherine
Thank you, Catherine. This was a super fun recipe to make.
What a fun twist – these look incredibly delicious! I love Alexia products…soooo good.
Thank you, Heather. They were so much fun to eat.
Love this recipe! The combination of veggie and fries are super easy to make and delicious!
Thank you, Florian.
Gosh! They look so vibrant and colourful, just like you are in the Mediterranean eating thier famous dish! This recipe looks easy and superb!
Thank you, Lovefoodies. Now, I really want to go to Greece and eat this while overlooking the Aegean Sea.
The Gyros look amazing and I love fries – whether potato or sweet potato !
Thank you, Linda. I am with you, because, I love both too.
Thank you for such a great idea, I love these fries and can’t wait to try!
Thank you, Michelle. I have a feeling that you will love this gyro
Wow those look amazing…what a clever idea. Any kid would go nuts for something like this!!
Thank you, Sandi. Kids won’t even realize that there is healthy stuff in there like Edamame and avocado.
If I eat frozen fries Alexia is the only brand I buy. I actually love this idea, because growing up my favorite thing was a chip (French fry) sandwich so you can see why I love these Gyros.
Thank you, Janette. I remember eating “Chips Sandwich” as a child. I know exactly what you mean.
What a fun and yummy recipe! I love their fries and onion rings, but have never put them in a pita. I must try this! Thanks!
Thank you, Debi. I am glad you like it.
Your veggie gyros look amazing! Gotta YUM it and make it later 😀
Thank you, Cathy
I love Alexia fries. I always have a bag or two in the freezer! In fact, we just made nachos with the waffle fries over the weekend! Great recipe!
Thank you, Christine.
I love what you have done here…I will add chicken and call it a day. 🙂
Thank you, Michelle. Go for it. Tell me how it turns out.