Description
This Lamb Meatball Gyros recipe combines juicy, spiced lamb meatballs with golden raisins and fragrant cinnamon, baked to perfection and served in warm pita bread with creamy Greek yogurt, fresh tomatoes, green onions, and a spritz of lime for a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatballs
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 1/4 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 English muffin, pulsed in a food processor to make breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced (divided, with 3/4 in meatballs and 1/4 for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
To Assemble
- 4 pita breads
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- 1/4 cup freshly chopped tomatoes
- 1 lime, for spritzing
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for baking the meatballs.
- Mix Meatball Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground lamb, golden raisins, ground cinnamon, breadcrumbs made from the English muffin, lightly beaten egg, 3/4 of the thinly sliced green onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly using your hands to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Form Meatballs: Shape the lamb mixture into golf ball-sized meatballs, ensuring they are uniform for even cooking. Place them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and lightly coated with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
- Bake Meatballs: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the meatballs for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, remove the baking sheet, carefully flip each meatball to brown the other side, then return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes or until nicely browned and cooked through.
- Warm Pita Bread: While the meatballs bake, warm the pita breads in the microwave until they become soft and pliable, making them easier to fold and fill.
- Assemble Gyros: Once the meatballs are done, place 3 to 5 meatballs on each warmed pita bread. Add a generous dollop of Greek yogurt over the meatballs, then garnish with the remaining green onions, chopped tomatoes, and optional fresh mint leaves for added freshness.
- Finish with Lime: Spritz each gyro with fresh lime juice to add a bright, zesty flavor that complements the richness of the lamb. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious homemade lamb meatball gyros!
Notes
- For best flavor, use fresh ground lamb from a trusted butcher.
- Golden raisins add a sweet contrast to the savory lamb; if unavailable, dried currants or chopped dried apricots can be substituted.
- You can toast the pita breads briefly in a skillet or oven instead of the microwave if preferred.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger group.
- Leftover meatballs can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
