Satisfy your cravings with vegan gyros made with tempeh, fresh veggies, and tangy tzatziki sauce. A healthy twist on the Greek classic!
You can also use portobello mushrooms to make this recipe. Just as easy, but with a slightly different texture. Make one or even both for a perfect family meal!
This recipe was originally published on 2/27/2014
This vegetarian gyros twist on the meat based original is a great choice for meatless Monday. Keep it dairy free using my amazing vegan tzatziki sauce.
Ingredients
When it comes to the best vegan Greek food, gyros must be part of the discussion! This homemade gyros recipe ditches the meat and uses plant based ingredients instead.
For the vegan gyro meat choose either:
- Tempeh
- Portobello mushrooms
For the gyros marinade:
- Garlic
- Greek oregano (use regular oregano if you don't have Greek)
- Dried thyme
- Lemon juice
- Tamari (or soy sauce for a non gluten free version)
- Sea salt
- Ground black pepper
- Veggie broth
Load the sandwich with:
- Pita bread
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Lettuce (optional, not a traditional topping)
- Vegan Tzatziki
- Oven Fries (optional)
There are so many ways to make a gyro. In addition to tempeh and mushrooms, there are loads of options. Here's what I found when I did a search:
How to Make Vegan Gyros
This mushroom or tempeh gyro sandwich recipe is an easy build your own dinner idea. Follow these steps to get them done with little prep:
- Marinate the tempeh or mushrooms.
- See the recipe card for detailed instructions on preparing the tempeh for marinating.
- Bake the marinated tempeh or mushrooms.
- Meanwhile prepare the toppings.
- Build the gyro sandwiches and enjoy!
What to Serve With Gyros
Now that you know how to make gyros they'll likely be on your regular menu rotation. The gyro seasonings will pair great with any of these vegan Greek recipes:
Extra toppings:
- Gyros sauce - we prefer the classic choice of tzatziki, but you could also use hummus, tahini sauce, ranch, or sour cream.
- Olives
- Cucumbers
- Bell peppers
- Pepperoncini
- Cheese - for a vegetarian gyro add any cheese you like, to keep this recipe vegan use dairy free feta
- Hot sauce
Serve as a meal along with:
- Greek Salad
- Green salad with Greek dressing
- Greek Farro Salad
- Roasted Greek Lemon Potatoes
- Grilled Veggie Kabobs
- Yemista (Stuffed tomatoes and peppers)
More Uses For Vegan Gyro Meat
This easy gyro recipe can be used for more than pita sandwiches! Try using the vegan gyro meat in any of the following ways:
- In a sliced bread sandwich or wrap
- As a pizza topping
- On top of fries
- Add to pasta salad or this Orzo Salad
- In a bowl
- On mac and cheese
- As part of a mezze platter
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
- Marinate the tempeh or mushrooms the night before.
- You can even cook the marinated tempeh or mushrooms up to 2-3 days in advance.
- Store cooked tempeh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Cooked mushrooms will keep in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
- Slice the toppings up to 2 days ahead of time.
- Make the tzatziki up to 5 days in advance.
- Reheat the vegan gyro meat in a pan on the stove with a little olive oil, or in the microwave until heated through.
Common Questions
It depends on what the gyro consists of, and what your definition of healthy is. Using lamb or beef results in high saturated fat, whereas loading up a gyro with plant based fillings will not have as much fat. Keep your toppings fresh for a healthy gyro sandwich.
The meat itself is gluten free. However, the seasonings (especially store bought) may contain gluten so make sure to check the label.
A gyro (pronounced "YEE-roh" or "ZHEE-roh") is a popular Greek dish that typically consists of seasoned meat, usually lamb, beef, or a combination of the two, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is typically thinly sliced and served wrapped in a warm pita bread or flatbread along with toppings.
Vegan Gyros (Tempeh or Mushrooms)
Ingredients
- 8 oz tempeh (package in block form), or use two portobello mushrooms very thinly sliced
Marinade:
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic , finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons Greek oregano , use regular oregano if you don't have Greek
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Tamari , low sodium if needed (or soy sauce for non gluten free version)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt , see notes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup veggie broth , low sodium if needed
To serve:
- 8 pita bread
- 2 fresh tomatoes , sliced
- ½ red onion , sliced
- 2 cups lettuce , sliced (optional, not a traditional topping)
- Vegan Tzatziki
- Oven Fries , optional but so good
Instructions
Marinating the tempeh (you can do this first before you prep everything else or the day before for maximum absorption and flavor):
- Cut the block of tempeh in half width wise so it makes two shorter blocks.
- Boil or steam in a pot of water for about 20 minutes. This cuts the bitterness from the tempeh.
- Meanwhile, make marinade by combining everything in a large container or large ziplock bag.
- Once the tempeh is done, allow to cool. Then cut into thin slices, about ⅛ inch thick. Using a very sharp knife will make this easier.
- Add thinly sliced tempeh into the marinade and allow it to soak for at least 4-6 hours, overnight is best.
- If using mushrooms then put thin slices right into marinade.
Once tempeh (or mushrooms) is ready:
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
- Take tempeh slices out of the marinade (save it!) and spread them out in a thin layer in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Do this with mushroom slices too but no need to save the marinade.
- Gently pour about ¼ cup of the marinade over the tempeh slices.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are brown.
- Meanwhile you can prep the tomatoes, red onion, lettuce and make tzatziki if you haven't yet. If you use potatoes then make sure to make them as well, they take a while to bake so you may want to do this first.
- Once tempeh (or mushrooms) is done, remove from oven and cover with foil to keep warm. Set aside.
- Warm the pita bread in a damp towel for 2-3 minutes in the microwave to soften.
- Build your gyros with the tempeh gyro slices, potatoes (if using), tomatoes, red onion and lettuce if preferred.
- Drizzle tzatziki over the top and devour!
Notes
- Adjust the amount of salt based on your taste. You may need more or less depending on what broth and Tamari/soy sauce you use.
- You can substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic if you don't have it, but the fresh garlic yields a more authentic flavor.
- Nutrition info is for baked tempeh only.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Egle Abromaite
I love this recipient. My favourite way to eat tempeh. I already made it several times. Love the Vegan Tzatziki sauce.
Sophia DeSantis
I am so happy you like the recipe! Thanks so much for the great review!
Marcy
These are so delicious! We love them! Just curious if there is a way to shorten the marinating time? I wondered if perhaps cooking in the Instant Pot could push the marinade into the tempeh? I keep running out of time, getting interrupted before I get the tempeh in the marinade. Thanks.
veggiesdontbite
I am so happy you like them Marcy! I totally get it, story of my life with 3 kids lol!! I have not tried IP but the end result would not be as crisp on the outside. You don't have to marinate too long if you don't want. You will still get some flavor, it's just that the longer you marinate the richer the flavor but they will still be good!
Katie Westreicher
This sounds yummy, but i have a question. Can i cook the marinated tempeh in an air fryer? Were starting a heatwave that's going to make baking in my oven, not my best option right now, as i live in the high desert of California.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Katie! I haven't tried that yet but I bet it would work! It will just be a little more crisp perhaps. Let me know if you try it!
Jen
I can’t believe how good these came out! I don’t miss gyros anymore, not since I have these. My kids even loved them. I followed the recipe and wouldn’t change a thing for next time.
veggiesdontbite
Wow! Thank you so much Jen!!
Theresa
This is very good. My husband loves it. It's now one of his favorite meals. I have a question though. Can you freeze the tempeh? And if so should it be frozen before or after cooking?
veggiesdontbite
I am so happy you liked it Theresa!! Thanks for the great review!
Jessica
Coming from a family who loves gyros and a father who won't try anything without meat in it, we finally convinced him to try these after we had been raving about them. 2 bites in and he was hooked. So much so that he went to get seconds. Highly suggest you try these, vegan or not.
veggiesdontbite
Wow! What an awesome testament! Thank you so much and I am thrilled you all liked them!
Rae
Can tofu be used instead?
veggiesdontbite
Hi Rae, you can give it a shot! I have not tried tofu, but the texture will definitely be different. I really love using the mushroom option too!
Tracy
I just used a vegan yogurt for the sauce, but everything else i followed exactly. It was excellent!
veggiesdontbite
I'm thrilled you liked it Tracy! Thank you!
Pamela
I thought the tempeh was great! My husband is newly veg and he was skeptical about the tempeh, but he said this absolutely satisfied his craving for a traditional gyro. Will definitely make again.
veggiesdontbite
I'm so happy you liked it Pamela! Yay!