A gyro salad keeps the best parts of a gyro (savory shaved meat, feta and tzatziki) and swaps the pita for crisp greens. It was one of the dishes Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria featured on its homepage, and it is one of the most satisfying salads on a pizzeria menu.
What goes in a gyro salad?
| Component | Typical choice |
|---|---|
| Greens | Romaine or iceberg, for crunch |
| Protein | Warm gyro meat, crisped in a pan |
| Vegetables | Tomato, cucumber, red onion, green pepper |
| Extras | Kalamata olives, pepperoncini |
| Cheese | Crumbled feta |
| Dressing | Greek vinaigrette and/or tzatziki |
Greek vinaigrette
Whisk ⅓ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 small grated garlic clove, ½ tsp Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Many pizzerias serve both the vinaigrette and a side of tzatziki.
Make it in 15 minutes
- Chop the romaine and toss it lightly with vinaigrette.
- Top with tomato wedges, cucumber, red onion, pepper, olives and pepperoncini.
- Sear the gyro slices in a hot pan for 1–2 minutes per side, until the edges crisp.
- Lay the warm meat over the salad, then add feta and a spoon of tzatziki.
- Serve with warm pita on the side if you want.
Variations
- Chicken gyro salad: swap in chicken marinated in lemon, garlic and oregano.
- Vegetarian: use falafel or roasted chickpeas instead of meat.
- Loaded: add a scoop of hummus, as on the gyro hummus platter.
Gyro salad vs. Greek salad
A traditional Greek salad (horiatiki) has no lettuce: just tomato, cucumber, onion, pepper, olives and a slab of feta with olive oil and oregano. The American gyro salad adds lettuce and gyro meat to make it a full meal. For the rest of the Mediterranean and sandwich lineup, see the sandwiches and gyros guide.
Frequently asked questions
What dressing goes on a gyro salad?
A Greek vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon and oregano, often with tzatziki on the side.
Is gyro salad low-carb?
Without pita it is relatively low in carbohydrates, since it is mostly meat, vegetables and feta.
Can I make gyro salad ahead?
Prep the vegetables and dressing ahead, but add the warm meat and dressing just before serving.
This guide is published by the team preserving the Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria website. Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria at 521 W 98th St, Bloomington, MN has permanently closed; this page offers general food information and is not an offer to order.
