I’ve been missing Greek food pretty much every day since I got off the plane from Athens back in January. Seriously, go to Greece, if just to eat… you won’t be disappointed!
Since I can’t go back to Greece just yet, I decided to bring a taste of Greece to Denmark by making gyros. Gyros are typically made with roasted meat, so I took a bit of a creative license and deemed marinated and roasted tempeh as the candidate most likely to succeed in a vegetarian gyros recipe.
Vegetarian Gyros Recipe
This recipe will go wrong if you don’t marinate the tempeh for long enough, so plan a day ahead and let it mellow for at least 12 hours.
Marinated Tempeh for Gyros
1 block of tempeh
1 cup veggie stock
2 T lemon juice
2 T soy sauce
2 t apple cider vinegar
2 crushed garlic cloves
2 t dried thyme
2 t dried oregano
1 t salt
3/4 t black pepper
pita bread
tomatoes
red onions
shredded lettuce
tzatziki (recipe follows)
Cut the tempeh into 1/4-inch thick slices, add it to a pot of boiling water and let it simmer for 15 minutes.
In the meantime, whisk together the veggie stock, lemon juice, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Drain the tempeh and transfer it to a plastic bag, pour the marinade over it, seal it, and refrigerate it for at least 12 hours… the longer the better. You can also marinate the tempeh in a shallow dish, but the marinade won’t completely cover the tempeh, so you’ll have to turn it a few times, and I find that the bag method saves a bit of faffing around.
Once the tempeh is sufficiently drunk on marinade, take it out of the fridge and let it warm to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (400 degrees fahrenheit). Cover a baking sheet with parchment and arrange the tempeh in a single layer.
Brush the tempeh with some of the leftover marinade and bake it for around 30 minutes, turning it halfway through, and brushing it with additional marinade until it’s crisping at the edges, and starting to brown.
A Greek Grandmother’s Authentic Tzatziki Recipe
I was going to use the Moosewood tzatziki recipe, then I remembered that I have a Greek friend! So I got in touch with Lenia and she was kind enough to give me the authentic tzatziki recipe she was taught by her grandmother Sofia (ευχαριστώ, Lenia & Sofia!).
I love having friends all over the world, especially when they’re willing to share their food secrets with me ;-)
Here’s Lenia’s grandma’s tzatziki recipe… I had high expectations, and it didn’t disappoint :-)
300g greek yogurt
3 well minced garlic cloves
1 medium cucumber
1 T olive oil
1 T chopped fresh dill
I actually shredded the cucumber in my Cuisinart, but Lenia said to chop it into very small pieces. Put the chopped/shredded cucumber into a strainer and weigh it down to press out as much water as possible. I added a bit of salt to help it along, then after awhile, I sort of wrung it out.
Mix everything together, adjust the garlic and dill amounts to suit your personal preference, then refrigerate it so the flavors have a chance to mingle.
The Gyros
Wet the pita bread, and warm it in the oven. Spread the inside with tzatziki, then stuff it with sliced tomatoes, sliced red onions, shredded lettuce, and the baked tempeh.
Robert declared this vegetarian gyros recipe his new favorite way to eat tempeh, and I hope that one day it will get Lenia’s seal of approval :-)
Tiara says
I have never had gyros or even heard of them. They look so delish though and I am definitely going to try this recipe at home! Thanks for sharing!!
Sage says
I hope you love them as much as we do :)
joylovefood says
Yum, I love gyros and your vegetarian version with the tempeh sounds delicious. Grandma Sofia’s tzatziki with the fresh dill sounds wonderful too. I would love for you to come share this, and any of your other posts at What’d You Do This Weekend? The party is open now at http://joylovefood.com/whatd-you-do-this-weekend-18/ :)
Sage says
Thanks so much for the invite! I just linked it and I’m having a look around at the other posts, too… I love a good link party :)
Amanda says
These look delish. It is so great that you have friends from all over, especially those who are willing to share their secret family recipes. I don’t think my family would be giving up any of our secret recipes….haha. Thanks for sharing.
Sage says
I’ve actually never understood the point of ‘secret recipes.’ If it’s a trade secret, or belongs to a restaurant, fair enough, but I’m lucky to have friends who cheerfully share their recipes, tips, and love of food with me : -)
MJ says
I’ve never had tempeh. Been wanting to try and this looks like the perfect quick recipe to give it a shot. Love that you received guidance and a recipe from an actual Greek grandmother. I use my grandmother’s recipes and tips all the time.
Kita Bryant says
This looks good. I have had gyros before so this is a treat to step it up. Getting the recipe from another generation is a bonus they knew their food back in the days I have so many wonderful recipes from my grandmother that taste ten times better than what I have.
Danielle K says
These look so good! I have a love for food covered in tzatziki sauce :) I just bought a block of tempeh, so I think this may have to be my lunch or dinner tomorrow – cannot wait to try!
rochkirstin says
It’s so great to be making Greek food at the comfort of your home when you have ingredients to source from the local grocery. I don’t have the time and budget to go to Greece yet but hopefully there will come a time for my visit. We love the spices and flavors of their food. This recipe looks good!
upliftingfam says
I haven’t tried any Greek food that I know of. I haven’t even had a gyros. These look good.
I might have to try a gyro one of these days. It will have to be when I’m solo because my family is picky.
Jenny says
My husband loves Gyros!! I have wanted to try to make them at home but it always seemed like it would be a lot of work. This sounds like an amazing recipe to try and I love that its on the lighter side.
Melissa says
My daughter has always loved Gyro’s but the meat has always kind of freaked me out. So I would love to be able to make her this version. It looks yummy enough for the whole family to try, thanks for sharing this recipe with us!
Sage says
Yeah, those big hunks of rotating meat are a bit freaky. On one of his shows, Gordon Ramsey looked into what they were made of and even if I wasn’t a vegetarian, I’d steer clear!
MrsTee says
I had my first autehntic gyro last month and it was amazing. I’ve never heard of one made with tempeh so this is really interesting. Oh an the tzatziki was amazing!
The Haute Frugalista says
This looks so yummy!!! I love pita bread and gyros! theyre such a good way to eat healthy, control portions, have a quick meal and avoid gaining weight! love that you used thyme!
Christy Hoover says
This looks really yummy. I love gyros. It definitely gives me more ideas for healthy options for my family. I just am not sure where to find tempeh. Would this be in the health food store. Love this recipe. Now I can make authentic Greek food,
Sage says
If you’re in the US, you should be able to find tempeh in most large grocery stores, near the tofu, and Trader Joe’s should definitely have it. Otherwise, you should be able to find it at a health food store, but it will probably cost less at one of the other two options. Hope this helps : -)
Deborah Smikle-Davis (@debsmikdav1) says
Hi Sage,
What a terrific way to make tempeh taste good! I love the ingredients in the marinade.I have been experimenting with several tempeh recipes and this one looks so good that I can’t wait to try it. I am delighted that you shared your healthy and delicious Vegetarian Gyros Recipe with us on the Plant-based Potluck Party. I appreciate it. I’m pinning and sharing.