Vegan Gyros (Tempeh or Mushrooms)

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Satisfy your cravings with vegan gyros made with tempeh, fresh veggies, and tangy tzatziki sauce. A healthy twist on the Greek classic!

You can also use portobello mushrooms to make this recipe. Just as easy, but with a slightly different texture. Make one or even both for a perfect family meal!

Two tempeh filled greek gyros rolled up in pita bread with veggies and covered in foil.

This recipe was originally published on 2/27/2014

This vegetarian gyros twist on the meat based original is a great choice for meatless Monday. Keep it dairy free using my amazing vegan tzatziki sauce.

Ingredients

When it comes to the best vegan Greek food, gyros must be part of the discussion! This homemade gyros recipe ditches the meat and uses plant based ingredients instead.

For the vegan gyro meat choose either:

Tempeh
Portobello mushrooms

For the gyros marinade:

Garlic
Greek oregano (use regular oregano if you don't have Greek)
Dried thyme
Lemon juice
Tamari (or soy sauce for a non gluten free version)
Sea salt
Ground black pepper
Veggie broth

Load the sandwich with:

Pita bread
Tomatoes
Red onion
Lettuce (optional, not a traditional topping)
Vegan Tzatziki
Oven Fries (optional)

A wooden tray with metal handles and all the ingredients needed to marinate and build tempeh gyros.

There are so many ways to make a gyro. In addition to tempeh and mushrooms, there are loads of options. Here's what I found when I did a search:

How to Make Vegan Gyros

This mushroom or tempeh gyro sandwich recipe is an easy build your own dinner idea. Follow these steps to get them done with little prep:

Marinate the tempeh or mushrooms.
- See the recipe card for detailed instructions on preparing the tempeh for marinating.
Bake the marinated tempeh or mushrooms.
Meanwhile prepare the toppings.
Build the gyro sandwiches and enjoy!

A glass baking dish with slices of tempeh covered in dried herbs and seasoning.

Slices of tempeh on two pita bread on a wooden surface and other ingredients for gyros around them.

What to Serve With Gyros

Now that you know how to make gyros they'll likely be on your regular menu rotation. The gyro seasonings will pair great with any of these vegan Greek recipes:

Extra toppings:

Gyros sauce - we prefer the classic choice of tzatziki, but you could also use hummus, tahini sauce, ranch, or sour cream.
Olives
Cucumbers
Bell peppers
Pepperoncini
Cheese - for a vegetarian gyro add any cheese you like, to keep this recipe vegan use dairy free feta
Hot sauce

Serve as a meal along with:

More Uses For Vegan Gyro Meat

This easy gyro recipe can be used for more than pita sandwiches! Try using the vegan gyro meat in any of the following ways:

In a sliced bread sandwich or wrap
As a pizza topping
On top of fries
Add to pasta salad or this Orzo Salad
In a bowl
On mac and cheese
As part of a mezze platter

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Marinate the tempeh or mushrooms the night before.
You can even cook the marinated tempeh or mushrooms up to 2-3 days in advance.
- Store cooked tempeh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Cooked mushrooms will keep in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Slice the toppings up to 2 days ahead of time.
Make the tzatziki up to 5 days in advance.
Reheat the vegan gyro meat in a pan on the stove with a little olive oil, or in the microwave until heated through.

Common Questions

Is a gyro healthy?

It depends on what the gyro consists of, and what your definition of healthy is. Using lamb or beef results in high saturated fat, whereas loading up a gyro with plant based fillings will not have as much fat. Keep your toppings fresh for a healthy gyro sandwich.

Is gyro meat gluten free?

The meat itself is gluten free. However, the seasonings (especially store bought) may contain gluten so make sure to check the label.

What is a gyro?

A gyro (pronounced "YEE-roh" or "ZHEE-roh") is a popular Greek dish that typically consists of seasoned meat, usually lamb, beef, or a combination of the two, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is typically thinly sliced and served wrapped in a warm pita bread or flatbread along with toppings.

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