The most common Greek dish that is served almost everywhere is the Gyro sandwich. This traditional wrap contains strips of meat and gets the name from the first letters in the phrase “gyro pou sto roasted,” which means for roasted meat to turn.
Some of you may have had different varieties of gyros, and many people don’t know that gyros can be made up of different types of meat and fillings. Read below for the five main types of meat that are used to make gyros!
Lamb
Gyro meat initially came from the Turkish kebab, which uses lamb straight off a vertical spit. In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.
Beef
Beef is one of the most popular types of meat for gyros across the world. Restaurants and fast-casual cafes in England and South America use the gyro technique with beef because it’s similar to lamb and plentiful in most countries. Beef works well in gyros because it naturally has a high-fat content, which if you didn’t notice above is critical in gyro meats. If you’re looking for an entry point for gyros, beef is a great place to start.
Pork
Another typical meat to use in gyros is pork. Pork gyros are typically found in regions where there are more pigs than lambs. When making gyros with pork, it’s important that fat trimmings are added to ensure the finished gyro will have the right flavors.
Chicken
Chicken gyros are a relatively new addition in Greece. As skinless chicken contains so little fat, many manufacturers will supplement lamb fat with cooked chicken. Chefs must take care to sear the chicken long enough that it cooks all the way through, as raw chicken carries a greater risk of bacterial contamination. The chicken lacks the popular flavor that many Greek communities enjoy in the lamb gyro.
Mixed Meats
Lastly, and while it technically isn’t a type of meat, blended minced meats can also be used to make gyros in certain locations. All of the previously mentioned types of meats can be combined. Depending on the ratio of meat types, a gyro with this combination can have a distinctive flavor unlike any other.
Visit Greco in Boston MA
With this information, you’ll be able to choose the best type of meat for your gyros. At Greco in Boston, MA, we have plenty of different types of meat for you to choose from for your gyro. Visit our menu and website to learn more, or visit one of our locations to order today!
