Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2024)

By Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan 25 Comments

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This post is sponsored by House Foods. All opinions are my own.

Stuff a warm pita bread with tender spiced tofu, lettuce, tomatoes, and vegan tzatziki to make these delicious grilled tofu gyros!

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (1)

I’ve always been of the opinion that there’s no reason for vegetarians to feel left out when it comes to grilling. The majority of plant-based foods taste delicious when grilled, and while it takes a little bit of finesse, grilled tofu is no exception. Here I’ve marinated it in a blend of Greek inspired seasonings and umami ingredients to make it worthy of your grill.

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2)

You can certainly use tahini sauce or hummus instead of vegan tzatziki, but I encourage whipping some up if you can access plain non-dairy yogurt. I tested this with both coconut yogurt (my fave) and almond yogurt (something I eat begrudgingly) and thanks to the punchy vinegar and dill flavors, it tastes great either way.

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (3)

I put some french fries in my tofu gyros because they’re sometimes included and I am a potato lover. Optional! Any grilled vegetables you happen to be cooking up would also be nice additions here. I rounded my pita bread out with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, some extra fresh parsley, and a few slivers of red onion.

If you give this grilled tofu gyros a try, let me know! Making it is as simple as firing up the grill, picking up some pita bread and House Foods tofu at the grocery store, and whisking together a simple marinade. I hope you enjoy this gyros minus the meat!

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (4)

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (5)

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5 from 23 votes

Grilled Tofu Gyros

Tofu is dipped in a Greek-inspired savory marinade, grilled to perfection, and drizzled with dairy-free tzatziki to make these grilled tofu gyros.

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean, refined sugar-free

Keyword grilled greek tofu, tofu gyros

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 4 servings

Calories 392kcal

Author Yup, it's Vegan

Ingredients

For the vegan tzatziki:

  • 1 cup shredded cucumber (about 1 medium-large cucumber)
  • 1 cup plain, unsweetened non-dairy yogurt (I tested this recipe with both coconut and almond yogurts)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small clove garlic minced or grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp white wine vinegar (or use lemon juice)
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh dill

For the savory grilled tofu:

For the grilled tofu gyros:

  • 4 pita breads
  • vegan tzatziki (recipe above)
  • savory grilled tofu (recipe above)
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
  • cooked French fries (optional)

Instructions

For the vegan tzatziki:

  • Sprinkle the shredded cucumber with salt and place it in a colander to drain for 10-15 minutes.

  • Stir together the yogurt, oil, garlic, salt, and vinegar in a bowl. Take the cucumber and squeeze out any more excess liquid using your hands or cheesecloth. Stir it into the mixture until well-incorporated. Finally, stir in the fresh dill. Season to taste and store cold.

For the savory grilled tofu:

  • Open the tofu, drain liquid from the package, and then wrap it in a clean towel, placing a heavy object on top of it to press out excess liquid from it. (Or use a tofu press). Let the tofu press for 10-15 minutes.

  • Preheat your grilling implement and make sure the grates are cleaned and well-seasoned with oil.

  • Mix together all of the ingredients for the tofu marinade until smooth. Cut the tofu width-wise into 8 approximately-equal slices. Use a baking dish or a large plate to pour the marinade over the tofu slices, then turn them over to coat both sides.

  • Grill the tofu pieces on an outside edge of the grill (don't use the hottest part; low-and-slow helps make the tofu a little chewier and crispier). Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, flipping halfway through. You want to see the tofu getting a little bit crisp on the outside with nice browning.

  • If desired, brush the tofu with a little bit more of the extra marinade after cooking.

For the grilled tofu gyros:

  • If desired, warm the pitas on the grill or however you prefer. Add two slices of tofu to each pita, along with plenty of lettuce, tomato, tzatziki, French fries if using, and any other toppings of choice. Enjoy hot.

Notes

Nutrition facts exclude French fries and assume only half of the sauce is used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pita with tofu and toppings | Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 1099mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2950IU | Vitamin C: 45.4mg | Calcium: 310mg | Iron: 7mg

Grilled Tofu Gyros Recipe | Homemade Vegan & Vegetarian Gyros (2024)

FAQs

What is a good substitute for gyro meat? ›

Beef flank steak: While traditional gyros are made with lamb, beef is a wonderful, crowd-pleasing alternative. Cucumber: Peel, grate, and strain this before incorporating into your tzatziki sauce so the condiment doesn't get too watery.

What is a true gyro made of? ›

In Greece, gyros is normally made with pork, though other meats are used in other countries. Chicken is common, and lamb or beef may be found more rarely. Typical American mass-produced gyros are made with finely ground beef mixed with lamb.

How healthy is gyro meat? ›

Typical gyro meat contains a lot of protein, carrying around 25 grams of it in a serving. Gyros are a healthy option because they can make you feel full even when you consume a small amount. Plus, so many vitamins and minerals make gyro meat a healthy dish that is capable of maintaining the body's energy.

Why are gyros unhealthy? ›

One of the main concerns about gyro meat is its relatively high fat content, especially when made with lamb or a combination of lamb and beef. Saturated fat, in particular, increases LDL cholesterol levels and elevates the risk of heart disease. However, this issue can be mitigated by choosing leaner meat options.

Which is healthier gyro or chicken? ›

Generally, chicken is a lean meat that is a good source of protein, low in fat (especially if you choose skinless, white meat), and it provides essential nutrients. Gyro meat, traditionally made with a mixture of ground meat (often lamb or beef), fat, and seasonings, tends to be higher in saturated fat.

What is the difference between gyro and Greek gyro? ›

Traditional Greek gyro is made from pork, while the American version of the dish typically consists of lamb, beef, or a scrumptious assortment of the two. Both versions are then stuffed between two fluffy blankets of pita bread and topped with tomato, onion, and a yogurt sauce called tzatziki.

Do they have vegetarian gyros in Greece? ›

Popular Vegetarian food in Greece:

I also found vegetarian food on Polco's cruise boat in Milos! Gyros: These are wraps with stuffings of vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, onions), fresh fries, mayo, and ketchup. Pies: The easiest vegetarian option in Greece is Spinach and Feta Cheese pies (Tiropita).

Do gyros always have meat? ›

This traditional wrap contains strips of meat and gets the name from the first letters in the phrase “gyro pou sto roasted,” which means for roasted meat to turn. Some of you may have had different varieties of gyros, and many people don't know that gyros can be made up of different types of meat and fillings.

Are all gyros made with lamb? ›

1. Meat: In a traditional Turkish kebab, various types of marinated meat, such as lamb, beef, or chicken, are skewered and cooked over an open flame or on a vertical rotisserie called a "shish." Greek gyro typically uses pork or chicken, though lamb and beef can also be used.

Are gyros made with processed meat? ›

processed meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie (The.

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