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Experience the flavors of Greece with these Low-Carb Gyros, a deliciously simple twist on the classic street food favorite! Made with seasoned ground beef or lamb and wrapped in crisp lettuce leaves, these gluten-free, keto-friendly gyros deliver all the authentic Mediterranean flavors you crave with just 4 net carbs. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or meal prep, this easy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that'll transport your taste buds straight to Athens!
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In This Post
Why You'll Love These Low-Carb Gyros
- Authentic Mediterranean Flavors Made Keto: Experience all the classic Greek gyro flavors you love, from the perfectly seasoned meatballs to the creamy tzatziki sauce, while keeping it keto-friendly. At just 6 net carbs per serving, you can enjoy this street food favorite without the guilt!
- Meal Prep and Family Friendly: Make a batch of meatballs and tzatziki ahead of time for easy weekday meals. Serve as wraps, bowls, or salads - perfect for families where some members aren't low-carb. The meatballs freeze beautifully for future meals!
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: Skip the expensive takeout and create your own Greek feast at home! With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you'll master these low-carb gyros in no time. Plus, you control the quality and freshness of every ingredient.
Low Carb Gyros (Keto & Gluten-Free): Greek Food Made Easy! 🥙
My love for gyros goes waaaaay back, and going keto wasn't about to stop me from enjoying my favorite Mediterranean flavors!
There was this amazing Greek place in the mall where I lived in So Cal, and the kids and I were regulars. Picture it: warm, soft pita bread stuffed with juicy gyro meat (they never skimped!), creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and dill. Pure heaven in sandwich form!
When we moved to Western Washington, I was thrilled to find another fantastic Greek spot. But then I went low carb, and suddenly, my beloved gyros seemed off-limits. With traditional pita bread packing 20-30 grams of carbs each, I knew I needed to get creative!
That's where these low-carb gyros come in! I've transformed the classic Greek street food into a keto-friendly dream using seasoned ground beef or lamb meatballs (easier than traditional gyro meat but just as delicious!) and served them with sugar-free tzatziki sauce. Wrap it all in lettuce or try my keto flatbread recipe - either way, you're getting all those authentic Mediterranean flavors with just a fraction of the carbs.
The beauty of this low-carb gyros recipe? It's totally customizable! Make it into a gyro bowl over cauliflower rice, prep it ahead for easy keto lunches, or serve it over fresh greens. Even my husband, who typically gives me "the look" when I mention Greek food, can't resist commenting on how fresh and light these taste.
Speaking of my husband - I know, I know, who doesn't love Greek food, right? But here's the funny thing: every time I make these keto gyros, he ends up loving them! This means these bad boys are definitely going into our regular rotation - at LEAST twice a month now!
🍽️✨ Don't forget to share your delightful creations with us on Instagram using #BobbisKozyKitchen for a chance to be featured in our newsletter! 📸
🥘Low-Carb Gyros Ingredient Notes
Here, I explain the best ingredients for my Low-Carb Gyros recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For the exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Greek Yogurt: Creates the base for our creamy tzatziki sauce. Substitution: Full-fat sour cream can be used.
- Ground Lamb or Beef: Provides the classic gyro flavor and protein. Substitution: Either meat works well, or use a 50/50 mix for the best flavor.
- Crushed Pork Rinds: Acts as a low-carb binding agent for the meatballs. Substitution: Keto breadcrumbs can be used but will possibly add carbs.
- Fresh Herbs and Spices: Creates authentic Mediterranean flavor. Substitution: Dried herbs can be used in a pinch (use 1/3 the amount).
- Feta Cheese: Adds traditional tangy flavor and creaminess. Substitution: This can be omitted for the dairy-free version.
- Keto Flatbreads: Provides the perfect low-carb wrap for your gyros. Substitution: Lettuce wraps or serve over cauliflower rice.
The printable recipe card at the bottom of the page contains a detailed list of measurements and instructions.
🔪How to Make Low-Carb Gyros
I have included a few step-by-step photos to help you visualize the recipe. The recipe card below provides the full instructions, including amounts and temperatures.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb or beef, pork rinds, egg, the remaining parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram, minced onion, and minced garlic.
Roll into 16 meatballs.
Combine the tzatziki ingredients in a mall mixing bowl.
Combine the Greek relish ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
Storing & Reheating Your Low-Carb Gyros
Storage Instructions:
- Meatballs:
- Let cool completely before storing
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Store with sauce and toppings separately
- Tzatziki Sauce:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Keeps fresh for 3-4 days
- May need to drain excess liquid before using
- Do not freeze
- Fresh Relish:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator
- Best used within 2 days
- Drain excess liquid before serving
- Do not freeze
- Keto Flatbreads:
- Store at room temperature for 2-3 days
- Refrigerate for up to a week
- Freeze for up to 3 months
- Place parchment paper between layers
Reheating Instructions:
- Meatballs:
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals until warm
- Oven: Warm at 350°F for 8-10 minutes
- Air Fryer: 3-4 minutes at 350°F
- Flatbreads:
- Microwave: 15-20 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel
- Stovetop: Brief warming in a dry skillet
- Oven: 2-3 minutes at 350°F
Meal Prep Tips:
- Make meatballs and tzatziki ahead
- Store components separately
- Assemble just before serving
- Consider making extra meatballs for freezing
💭My Recipe Tips
1. Perfect Your Tzatziki Don't skip salting and draining the cucumbers! This crucial step prevents watery tzatziki. Really squeeze out that moisture using a clean kitchen towel, and let the finished sauce rest in the fridge - it gets better after a few hours.
2. Meatball Magic Keep your hands slightly wet when forming meatballs to prevent sticking. Use a small cookie scoop for uniform size, ensuring even cooking. Don't overwork the meat mixture, or your meatballs could become tough.
3. Temperature Matters Bring your egg to room temperature before mixing into the meat, and don't use super cold meat straight from the fridge. This helps everything combine more evenly for better-textured meatballs.
4. Make-Ahead Strategy Prepare the tzatziki and relish a day ahead - the flavors develop beautifully overnight. The meatballs can also be formed and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before cooking.
5. Serving Success Warm your keto flatbreads just before serving - they're more pliable when warm. If using lettuce wraps, pat the leaves dry to prevent sogginess. Have extra napkins ready - these are deliciously messy!
6. Herb Handling Chop fresh herbs just before using to prevent browning. If using dried herbs instead of fresh, remember to use about 1/3 the amount called for in the recipe.
7. Storage Smarts Store all components separately and assemble just before eating. This prevents soggy flatbreads and keeps everything fresh longer. The meatballs freeze beautifully for future meals!
FAQ about Low-Carb Gyros
Absolutely! While traditional gyros use lamb, ground beef works wonderfully and is often more budget-friendly. For the best flavor, use 80/20 ground beef. You can even do a 50/50 mix of beef and lamb for a more authentic taste while keeping costs down.
The secret to thick, creamy tzatziki is properly draining your cucumbers. Salt them well and let them sit for at least 30 minutes, then squeeze out ALL the moisture using a clean kitchen towel. Also, make sure you're using thick Greek yogurt, not regular yogurt.
Lots of options! Try large lettuce leaves for wraps, serve over cauliflower rice for a gyro bowl, or create a Greek salad with the meatballs on top.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
1. Traditional Gyro Style
Transform these into a complete Greek feast! Serve your gyros with keto-friendly sides like:
- Greek salad with extra feta
- Garlic cauliflower rice
- Extra tzatziki sauce for dipping
- Marinated olives
2. Gyro Bowls
Create a low-carb bowl that's perfect for meal prep:
- Cauliflower rice base
- Meatballs
- Fresh relish
- Tzatziki drizzle
- Crumbled feta
- Extra fresh herbs
3. Party Platters
Set up a build-your-own gyro bar for entertaining:
- Warm meatballs
- Variety of fresh toppings
- Both lettuce wraps and keto flatbreads
- Multiple sauces
- Feta for sprinkling
4. Mediterranean Feast
Pair with other low-carb Mediterranean favorites:
- Cucumber salad
- Roasted vegetables with herbs
- Whipped feta dip
- Marinated artichoke hearts
5. Quick Lunch Options
Turn leftovers into easy lunches:
- Gyro salad bowls
- Lettuce wrap gyros
- Meatballs with tzatziki dip
- Greek-style charcuterie plate
6. Family-Style Service
Create a flexible spread that works for both keto and non-keto family members:
- Regular pita for others
- Keto flatbreads for you
- Plenty of fresh toppings
- Extra sauces and sides
7. Appetizer Style
Transform into party bites:
- Meatball skewers with tzatziki dip
- Mini lettuce cups
- Greek antipasto platter
- Cucumber rounds topped with meatballs
More Delicious Ground Beef Recipes...
Low Carb Gyros
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 3 cucumbers peeled, deseeded, chopped, divided
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh dill
- 2 lemons juiced and separated
- pink salt to taste
- fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- 3 Roma tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 small red onion chopped
- 1 handful + 3 tbsp Fresh parsley leaves chopped and separated
- 1 pound ground lamb or beef
- 1/2 cup ground pork rinds
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
- 1/2 tsp minced onion
- 1/4 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 4 keto flatbreads
Instructions
- Place 2 of the chopped cucumbers in a colander, reserving one cucumber for the relish. and sprinkle with salt. Let the cucumbers sit for at least 30 mins to allow them to release their liquid. Roll them in a clean dish towel to squeeze out any excess liquid.
- Add the drained cucumbers, garlic, dill, juice of 1 lemon, and some fresh cracked black pepper to the food processor. Process until smooth.
- Stir the cucumber mixture into the yogurt. Taste and adjust your salt and pepper if needed. Place in an airtight container and allow to set in the refrigerator. The longer it sits the better it tastes so doing this the day before would work well.
- For the relish, in a medium bowl, combine the remaining cucumber, tomato, remaining lemon juice, red onion, 3 tablespoons of the parsley leaves, and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Cover and place in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground lamb, or beef, pork rinds, egg, the remaining parsley, oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram, minced onion, and minced garlic. Form into 16 meatballs (I use a small cookie scoop).
- Place the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your meatballs.
- When the meatballs are cooked through, remove them from the oven to rest. Place the pita directly on the oven rack for 3 to 5 minutes, or until warm.
- To assemble the sandwiches, place 4 meatballs in each flatbread, and spoon the relish and Tzatziki on top of the meatballs, and sprinkle with feta cheese.
- Wrap in parchment paper, or foil, to serve, they can be a bit messy!
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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