Instant Pot Beef Gyros with Homemade Tzatziki
Tender pressure-cooked beef seasoned with Mediterranean herbs creates an authentic gyro filling in just 25 minutes. The meat absorbs bright lemon and oregano flavors while staying incredibly juicy. Paired with cool, creamy tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt and fresh cucumber, these gyros offer all the satisfying flavors of the classic Greek street food. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you want something special but don't have hours to spend cooking. The Instant Pot makes what traditionally takes slow roasting achievable on any schedule.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs roast, cut into bite size pieces or stripslamb shoulder1:1halal
more traditional flavor
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup beef broth
- 6 warmed pita foldsnaan bread1:1none
different texture
- sliced tomatoes and lettuce, for serving
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup diced cucumber, seeded and shredded
- 1 Tbsp dried dill or 2 Tbsp fresh dill
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp minced garlic
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1
Combine beef, onion, oregano, salt, pepper, beef broth, and lemon juice in Instant Pot
- 2
Add lid and set valve to sealing
- 3
Set pressure for 25 minutes on high pressure
- 4
Do quick release to release pressure
- 5
Remove lid and stir to combine
- 6
Make tzatziki sauce by combining yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, and garlic in medium bowl
- 7
Stir until creamy and combined, store in fridge until ready to serve
- 8
Serve in warm pitas with lettuce, tomatoes and drizzle tzatziki sauce on top
Tips
Drain shredded cucumber in a fine mesh strainer for 10 minutes before mixing into tzatziki to prevent watery sauce
Let meat rest 5 minutes after pressure release for easier handling and better juice distribution
Good to Know
Refrigerate assembled gyros up to 2 days, tzatziki sauce up to 4 days
Cook beef and make tzatziki up to 2 days ahead, assemble when ready to serve
Serve immediately while pitas are warm for best texture
Common Mistakes
Drain cucumber well to avoid watery tzatziki
Don't overfill pitas to avoid messy eating
Substitutions
more traditional flavor
different texture
FAQ
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes, chuck roast, bottom round, or any tough cut works well since pressure cooking tenderizes the meat effectively.
How long does tzatziki keep in the fridge?
Tzatziki stays fresh for up to 4 days refrigerated, but drain any excess liquid before serving leftovers.
Can I freeze the cooked beef?
Yes, freeze cooked beef up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in fridge and reheat gently before serving.