Description
Greek-inspired pot roast gyros dance with succulent, slow-cooked meat nestled in warm pita bread. Mediterranean flavors meld perfectly, offering a hearty meal that brings family and friends together around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms) chuck roast
Spices and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon sweet/smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 yellow onion (sliced)
- 2 shallots (sliced)
- 8 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 12-ounce (355 milliliters) beer (or chicken broth)
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 6 fresh pitas or naan (warmed)
- Pickled red onion
- Lettuce
- Herbs
- Tzatziki (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F, preparing for a slow-roasted flavor transformation.
- Create a fragrant bed of onions, shallots, and garlic in a large Dutch oven, establishing a flavor foundation.
- Craft a robust spice blend combining paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme, and cayenne, seasoning generously with salt.
- Massage the spice mixture thoroughly into the roast, ensuring complete coverage and maximum flavor penetration.
- Carefully place seasoned roast atop the aromatic vegetable base, then drench with beer and lemon juice for tenderizing moisture.
- Cover and roast for 3-4 hours, allowing meat to become exceptionally tender and infused with complex flavors.
- Elevate oven temperature to 425°F for the final 10 minutes, creating a caramelized exterior with deep, rich coloration.
- Extract meat from pot and deconstruct into succulent shreds using two forks, maximizing texture and presentation.
- Reduce remaining cooking liquid with butter, creating a luxurious sauce to coat the shredded meat.
- Warm pitas and generously layer with tender meat, caramelized onions, crisp lettuce, and sharp red onions.
- Crown the gyros with fresh herbs and a generous drizzle of cooling tzatziki, completing this Mediterranean-inspired feast.
Notes
- Enhance the meat’s tenderness by selecting a well-marbled cut like chuck roast, which breaks down beautifully during slow cooking.
- Customize spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper, allowing heat-sensitive diners to enjoy the dish comfortably.
- Transform leftovers into delicious salads or grain bowls by storing shredded meat separately from condiments to maintain texture.
- Accommodate gluten-free diets by substituting traditional pitas with lettuce wraps or gluten-free flatbreads for seamless enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 558 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 572 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 126 mg