Not long ago, Greek restaurants across the country featured herbed leg of lamb slices stacked on a rotisserie and served as gyro sandwiches. Unfortunately, over time, it became more common for restaurants to use cheap beef. When you are looking for a Greek sandwich with authentic lamb flavor, try these ground lamb gyros. They are easy to prepare and make a satisfying meal. 

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground lamb
• 1 Tbs coarse salt
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried cumin
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• To serve use pita bread and your choice of feta cheese, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, cucumber, romaine lettuce, and banana pepper.

Instructions:

• Combine the ground lamb, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder in a bowl. 
• Form into thin, oblong patties - about 5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and ¼ inch thick.
• Chill the lamb patties in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This will help them hold together when cooking. While the meat is chilling, you can prepare your gyro fillings.
• When you are ready to cook the gyros, place a heavy griddle or cast iron pan over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches, leaving space between each patty to prevent a heat sink. Depending on thickness, cooking should take 4-5 minutes per side. As needed, pour grease from the pan or daub it up with a paper towel.
• In the meantime, heat the pita bread on a separate griddle or in a warm oven.
• To serve, fold two slices of gyro meat in a piece of pita bread, and fill with your choice of feta cheese, tzatziki, red onion, tomato, lettuce, banana pepper, and cucumber.
• Gyros are best served hot. If this recipe makes more than you need for a single meal, refrigerate uncooked gyro patties and cook when ready to eat.

For a traditional gyro made with sliced leg of lamb on a spit, check out this Lamb Gyro video from @therealgreekchef.