30 Minute Greek Turkey Meatball Gyros topped with a classic Tzatziki Sauce you’ll want to swim in! These Gyros are the perfect healthy dinner option for the family and clock in 429 calories! Woohoo!
Well, I had a first this week.
The other morning I woke up to the sound of “mommy … mommy” and crying. I ran upstairs, but couldn’t see anything because it was 6am and dark in little mans room. I walked in with my hands out in front of me so I didn’t run into anything.
As soon as Cason saw me, he tried to tell me through his cries. “I’m throwing up.” After the third time I realized what he said, turned his light on and sure enough. He had thrown up in his bed and was still going. He got it on the wall, his bed rails, his slide … basically everything. (and yes his bed has a slide, I know you’re jealous)
Soooo … that was my day!
Ok. I admit it. Probably NOT the best story to share before I’m about to give you a recipe. There’s really no good way to transition from that to “here, eat this gyro.”
But I’m gonna do it anyway.
So guys, this Gyro … it’s pretty amazing. But, I may be biased. I did make it. And, I’m pretty obsessed with any and everything topped with Tzatziki Sauce.
What is a Gyro
A gyro sandwich, pronounced YEE-ROH, is a Greek dish traditionally served on pita bread or flatbread along with lamb, beef, or pork then topped with tomato, onion, and a yogurt sauce.
Basically it’s deliciousness and once you try it you’ll fall in love with all the flavors and how simple it is to pull together.
What’s the sauce on a gyro?
The yogurt sauce typically served on a Gyro is called Tzatziki sauce. This creamy Tzatziki is made of yogurt, grated or diced cucumber, dill, garlic, lemon juice and salt. It should be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator at all times.
Where this Gyro differs, is it is made with ground turkey meatballs. The Turkey Meatballs are guaranteed to wow you!
I wanted to do something a little different than a typical Gyro, which is normally made with shaved Lamb meat. I LOVE Lamb but it can be expensive … heck even Ground Lamb is expensive. So I changed up the protein part of these gyros and used ground Turkey instead, added loads of flavor, a little veggie and turned them into meatballs!
Ya’ll! Once these meatballs are seared they are heavenly. And then served on top of a warm flatbread with Tzatziki sauce … holy yum!
With the new years resolutions just starting, I know lots of people are looking for healthy options to make for dinner that don’t take 2 hours to make and still taste good! Well, this Greek Turkey Meatball Gyro is it!
It’s made with all fresh ingredients. Takes less than 30 minutes to make and finishes off at 429 calories a serving with 28 grams of protein! So if you’re about the “healthy” this is it, OR if you’re about the flavor this is it! Either way, these Gyros need to make an appearance on your dinner table!
Bon Appetit my friends!
Greek Turkey Meatball Gyro with Tzatziki
-
Prep Time: 10 mins
-
Cook Time: 16 mins
-
Total Time: 26 mins
-
Yield: 4 gyros 1x
-
Category: 30 Minute Meal, Easy Healthy Recipes, Poultry, Kid Friendly
-
Method: stove
-
Cuisine: american
Description
30 Minute Greek Turkey Meatball Gyros topped with a classic Tzatziki Sauce you’ll want to swim in! These Gyros are the perfect healthy dinner option for the family and clock in 429 calories! Woohoo!
Ingredients
Turkey Meatball:
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- salt & pepper to season
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated cucumber
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon dry dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 4 whole wheat flatbreads
Instructions
- To a large bowl add, ground turkey, diced red onion, minced garlic, oregano, fresh spinach, salt, and pepper. Using your hands mix all the ingredients together until meat forms a ball and sticks together.
- Then using your hands, form meat mixture into 1″ balls. (you should be able to get about 12 meatballs).
- Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add olive oil to the pan, and then add the meatballs. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until they are browned on all sides and internal temperature has reached 165°F. Remove from the pan and let rest.
- In the meantime, to a small bowl add greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, and salt to taste. Mix together until everything is combined.
- Assemble the gyros: to a flatbread (I like to warm mine up so they are more pliable) add 3 meatballs, sliced red onion, tomato, and cucumber. Then top with Tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 flatbread + 3 meatballs
- Calories: 429
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 91 mg
Want More Healthy Dinner Ideas?
Sweet Potato Black Bean Quinoa Bowls
Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken & Vegetables
Pesto Chicken Zoodles with Burst Tomato
Highly delicious! I made this recipe for dinner with authentic pita bread from the market and my husband loved the flavors! Especially the tzatziki sauce! Thank you!
★★★★★
This was SO good- will be in my regular rotation. Thank you!
★★★★★
This was awesome we loved it!!
★★★★★
Making this later this week but I’m going to use chicken with pineapple for the meat balls. I’m hoping it turns out as good as yours!
★★★★★
Ohh let me know how it goes!
Holy moly, you can COOK! Followed the recipe to the note, my family devoured the whole meal. And we’re a tough crowd! Can’t wait to taste more of your work!
★★★★★
hahahh… ohh thanks Jess! Glad it pleased a tough crowd, that’s the ultimate test!
I found a new recipe today. I love gyros. The meatballs and sauce were delicious. The only thing I did differently was I baked the meatballs. Glad I came across your recipe.
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad to hear it. I’m a huge fan of gyros too and this totally hits the spot!
Made this recipe tonight trying to cut back on beef and use more turkey so looking for recipes. This was delish and will be making it again. Love my gyros and it was very easy to make. Two thumbs up.
Awesome! So pumped you liked it Gerri!
If I wanted to bake these vs. pan fry will I need to add bread crumbs and eggs? I noticed that you didn’t use them in the original recipe and I am afraid that they will fall apart in the oven.
Yes, I would add an egg and maybe 1/4 cup panko
This is a delicious recipe! I have made it many times and have shared it with others who have had equal success. Thank you so much for sharing!
absolutely, so glad you like it
This is a delicious recipe! The meatballs were very moist, so when I tried to roll them they were not staying together so I
added 1/3 cup of panko crumbs. What a flavorful and yummy meal! Thank you.
I loved the throw-up story lol! I had a slide on my bed when I was little too and it was most definitely the best thing ever!!
Anyway, I will be trying this recipe at the end of the week and I’m super excited!!
★★★★★
Any idea what the carb country is minus the bread? Cant wait to try this recipe!!
★★★★★
Count not country lol
★★★★★
I love this recipe! It’s become a staple at our house. One thing that I feel is a must…Feta cheese sprinkled on the top! Thanks for the great recipe!
ohhh totally get it that feta completely goes with it. I’m honored that it’s a staple at your house! So cool!
This was SO. GOOD. This squashed my gyro craving and was healthy. Win win. Can’t wait to make this again. I made the sauce early in the day and let it melt in the fridge. Loved it all.
Woohoo! I definitely have those gyro cravings… like once a month and this one is a winner. So glad you love the recipe Morgan!
These were amazing! I’d been craving gyros for weeks but there’s no where near me to get any. Whipped these up in no time flat and they tasted just like my favorite place and were loads healthier too! My husband loved these as well, totally going into meal rotation. Easy and cheap, can’t be beat! Can’t wait for leftovers today.
I know. My mom use to make them all time growing up, they use to sell shaved lamb meat in the grocery store and tzatziki sauce. It was my favorite weeknight meal growing up. This recipe is a great substitute and totally fills that gyro craving! So glad you liked it Morgan!
Well, idk what a vomit story had to do with this recipe, it was unnecessary….but I will be trying out the meatballs! PS, if you don’t want your tzaziki to be watery, you can let it AND the cucumber drain/strain in a seive lined with coffee filter for a couple of hours before mixing it up. And if you can, make it the day before, tzaziki is better the next day!
haha… it had nothing to do with it. Just talking about life, the ups and downs.
I hope you enjoy the recipe Lisa. And you are right, tzatziki is always better the next day! 🙂
Hi Keisha
I’m so excited to make this. I’m on a new. Journey in my life. No more diets. Just eating healthy and being fit. Sadly, I let my self get 50+ lbs. Overweight. I’ve been trying to cook dishes I like to eat, but w lean proteins, low sodium, fresh veggies etc…. This recipe is exactly what I look for, especially since I’m a huge gyros fan and haven’t had one since this journey began. I’m going to start following you on Instagram, I’m sure you have more yummy ideas I can try.
Thanks 😀
Looks fabulous! love Gyros and this is a much healthier version. i have the meatballs in the oven right now. Turkey Gyros for dinner! 🙂
★★★★★
woohoo! it’s amazing, you’re going to love it!