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.
What a great idea to add the fries to the gyros. I just love sweet potato fries too.
Thank you, Danii
Oh yum! At first I didn’t realize that they were fries. I’ve always wanted to try gyros, but the only place I’ve noticed that sells them are at fairs. Now I can make my own!
Thank you, Miranda. I think you will love gyros. They are so delicious
YUM! I love gyros! I’ve never had them with fries before. Gotta try it!
Thank you, Cathy. Trying them with fries was the best idea.
OMG genius!!! I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE FAN of gyro!!!!! So this sounds so frggin’ amazing!
Thank you, GiGi. They are so very delicious.
Actually here in Greece we do add potatoes to our meaty gyros! This is one light fine meal!
Thank you, Katerina. I have been hearing that in the last week and it makes so happy to hear that.
Rini, these gyros just look so FUN! I must give your recipe to my daughter as I think her little ones will love it! And Alexia products are wonderful…I am always recommending them to my clients.
Thank you, Linda. This was a FUN recipe, indeed. So happy to hear that your daughter likes the Alexia products
Rini, this made me smile. Whenever we have french fries on “Date night” there are always some leftover. I take them home and use them as an ingredient in a Chopped. Much the same you did here. They are delish veggies and have much versatility.
Thank you, KC. I love seeing recipes for French Fries on Chopped.
I always have Alexia fries in my freezer! A brand I can trust and my kids love them. I love the idea of putting them in a gyro.
Thank you, Mary. I trust them too. They have a great product line.
These look soooo good! I LOVE the idea of putting fries inside a wrap! YUM 🙂
Thank you, Becca. French fries make for a great sandwich.
I didn’t need to go any further than your first post to totally fall in love with a recipe. This reminds me of a wrap that a friend of mine makes with french fries in it. I thought it was crazy when I first say it but feel right in love eating them.
Thank you, Tara. So happy to hear that this recipe captivated your attention. Having French fries in a wrap sounds like a great idea too. That is going to be my next experiment.
Alexia is my favorite brand! have never thought of using them in a recipe before
Thank you, Dana. I think you will like this recipe.
This recipe looks amazing! Adding the Alexia fries and edamame sounds like a winner in my book and I’ll have to give it a try with my 2 picky eaters. Thank you for sharing! #client
Thank you, Stephanie. I have found that even the pickiest of eaters like this gyro.
LOVE these options and the ease of putting them together. Cute video, too!
Thank you, Betsy. Appreciate the compliments.
YUM – these look so good!! Definitely pinning this recipe to try with my family one night!!
Thank you, Jamie. I am sure it will be a great family night.
This is so creative! I love gyros, but don’t like ground meat so this is a really fun alternative. Anyone can bake these fries!
Thank you, Carissa. Alexia makes it easy for anyone to make the fries.
Fries inside of a gyro is amazing in and of itself. My kids love a wrap, this one is worth a try.
Thank you, Michellette. It is nice to hear that kids like it too.
What a fun use of these fries!
Thank you, Diana.
There is nothing quite like fries in a sandwich! And this looks wonderful.
Thank you, Katherine. I am a huge fan of sandwiches.
Great looking meal, Rini. I’m madly in love w/ the Alexia sweet potato fries, so any excuse to use them is a good one in my book!
Thank you, Christine. I am madly in love with them too. The crispy rosemary fries are my new favorite.
What a great idea to use french fries in gyros, these sound delicious!
Thank you, Joy. Yes, it is definitely one of my all time favorite recipes to make and eat.