These low-carb Greek Gyro Meatballs taste just like the meat in a Gyro sandwich. This recipe is suitable for low-carb, ketogenic, Atkins, gluten-free, diabetic, and Banting diets.
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I have always loved gyro meat. What’s not to love? First of all, the savory herbs, garlic and spices are intoxicating. In addition, it’s easy to turn gyro meat into a low-carb meal–just serve it on a salad instead of with the traditional pita. While I love gyro meat, I recently found out that it can contain fillers like MSG, starches, and even gluten. Because of this, I decided to try to recreate that gyro meat flavor, but without these unwelcome ingredients. While this recipe isn’t quite traditional, as the conventional recipe calls for roasting the meat for hours on a rotisserie, I love knowing every ingredient that goes in.
In this recipe, I decided to shape the seasoned ground meat into meatballs. Meatballs are super-versatile. Stick them with a toothpick and serve them as an appetizer, toss them on the top of a salad to make a complete meal, or serve them in a lettuce wrap to go sandwich style. In addition, meatballs cook quickly so the shape is a true time saver.
I love serving these Greek Gyro Meatballs with anything mediterranean. Some of my favorite additions include Tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, black olives, pepperoncini, and cucumbers,
I’m convinced that when the Greeks created gyro meat, they must have been thinking about making a treat for the Gods. These little meatballs are versatile savory treats. Enjoy!
-Annissa
When you want to eat something light yet filling, this Low-Carb Greek Gyro Meatballs Recipe is the perfect solution. It’s quick and easy to whip up that it’ll become a staple in your kitchen. ❤️😋
Greek Gyro Meatballs
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or lamb
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary crumbled
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 Tablespoons red onion minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 Tablespoon butter or coconut oil
Instructions
- Place ground meat, garlic, rosemary, oregano, cumin, marjoram, thyme, onion, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Mix or knead together. I find using clean hands, instead of a spoon, works best for this step.
- Form the mixture into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.
- Heat a heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Melt butter or coconut oil in the pan.
- Add meatballs, making sure they do not touch. If your pan is too small to cook all of the meatballs without touching, do this step in batches.
- Brown meatballs on all sides then sprinkle lightly with salt. Turn heat to low to cook the meatballs throughout.
- Remove meatballs from the pan to a plate with a paper towel.
Recipe Notes
Makes about 16 meatballs. Serving size: 4 meatballs
Per serving:
Calories: 237
Fat (g): 15
Carbs (g): 2
Fiber (g): 1
Protein (g): 24
Net carbs (g): 1
I love gyros! These have to be amazing!! I want make some for tonight’ big game 🙂
These would be great game food!
Wow, I really enjoyed this recipe. I served them with ripe tomatoes, lettuce and yellow onions topped with homemade tzatziki sauce and hot chili sauce, all the makings of a gyro. I highly recommend.
I love Greek food and Gyros is one of my all time favourite recipes. This looks so good!
Thanks! Gyros are one of my favorites too!
Loving all of the herbs you’ve included. I need to get myself some of those colourful picks and serve these up to my family.
I love adding lots of herbs to my recipes. Herbs make everything a little tastier!
Those look so good. I grew up outside Detroit and as a result have a penchant for anything gyro-inspired. I bet these would be great in spiralized pasta!
Rebecca, I think these would be great in spiralized veggie pasta! Yum!
These were delicious!
Thanks for trying them!
I love, love, LOVE gyros. I just emailed your recipe to Carlos so he can make it for me. I cant wait
I hope you enjoy them!
Can these be made in a crock pot?
Yes. I would still brown them in a skillet first.
These meatballs live up to the name on the recipe….especially if lamb is used. These were so good and a lot easier to make than I had anticipated. I even made the Tzatziki sauce to go with them which put the meatballs over the top delicious.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them! I love the sauce with them!
Sauce?? I am hoping to make this with my egg noodles recipe but I need a suitable sauce. Any great ideas?? I would really appreciate the help because I don’t know how to cook at all.
Ashleigh,
These would be good with the gravy from the sausage gravy recipe. Just omit the sausage part of the recipe and substitute fresh oregano, thyme, and/or rosemary.I also love them with my Tzatziki Sauce, but maybe not with egg noodles.
Good luck!
Annissa
Any idea how long to cook the meatballs on low? TIA!
Kim,
I cook the meatballs on low until they are cooked all the way through. You can judge the doneness in the center be pushing on the meatball with a spatula. If it squishes, it is less done, if it is firm, it is more done. If you aren’t sure, you can cut into one (be sure you don’t damage your pan) and look at the middle. I hesitate to give a specific amount of time as it can very depending on the stove, type of pan and such. Good luck!
Made these with ground turkey. Texture was spot on as was the taste! Will be keeping this one for sure.
Thanks for letting us know how it went! Glad you enjoyed them!
Annissa
These were delicious. We had them in pita pockets with homemade yogurt dill sauce, tomatoes&cucumbers topped with feta and sprinkled with lemon juice, lettuce and red onion. Also baked in the oven at 400 for 25 minutes instead of sautéed.
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
-Annissa
These are awesome. Will definitely be making these again.
Thanks!
-Annissa
Surprised no mint or crushed tomatoes. Must be Greek American 🙂 but sure they are good. OPA!
Sorry, John. I was not blessed with a Greek grandmother to teach me how to cook. I do have some mint in the tzatziki sauce on the blog. Glad you enjoyed them!
-Annissa
Yero meat does not contain mint or crushed Tomatoes, I was married to a Greek and got all of his mothers recipes, she knows what she’s talking about, I made these they were very good love the tzatziki sauce with them
Thanks, Susan!
-Annissa
Wow, these are really easy and very delicious.
I used half lamb and half hamburg. I made them a little smaller and bake them at 450 degrees. Blotted, salted them and used a store bought taziki sauce. Delish!
Has anyone tried baking these instead of pan frying?
Amazing! I love gyros but I also recently found out about the fillers in gyro meat – after I spent 3 days sick after eating some. I cannot have gluten and I paid dearly for it. Now I can have these anytime I want and they taste sooooooo good! My problem is trying to keep some on hand to freeze for later because I keep eating them every time I make them! I love serving with tzaki sauce over zoodles – yummy! Thank you for sharing = )
Sorry about your experience with hidden gluten in gyro meat. Glad these worked out for you, though!
-Annissa
Those look delicious!
Hi instead of beef or lamb can I use chicken or turky thanks
Yes. Either one would work. Of cy, the taste will be different, but the recipe should still work.
-Annissa