These Slow Cooker Beef Gyros are a tasty way to enjoy a Greek favorite at home! They’re made with juicy beef, warm spices, and served in soft pita bread.
The best part? You can just set it and forget it! I love coming home to the smell of tender meat. Pile on your favorite toppings, and you’re all set for a delicious meal!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Beef Chuck Roast: This cut is perfect for slow cooking; it becomes tender and flavorful. If you can’t find chuck roast, consider using brisket or a round roast instead. They’ll give you great results too!
Olive Oil: This is my go-to for searing because it adds a nice flavor. You can also use canola or vegetable oil if you want a more neutral taste.
Spices: The combination of oregano, thyme, paprika, and cumin is wonderful. If you’re out of one spice, dried basil or herbes de Provence can stand in for oregano and thyme. Ground coriander can add a unique twist instead of cumin.
Tzatziki Sauce: You can easily make your own with yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill. However, store-bought is perfectly fine if you’re short on time!
How Can I Make Sure My Beef is Perfectly Tender?
The secret to achieving tender beef in this recipe is low and slow cooking. By cooking on low for 8 hours, the beef slowly breaks down and becomes fork-tender.
- Start by searing the meat on all sides. This step locks in flavor.
- Ensure you add enough liquid; the beef broth helps keep it moist during cooking.
- Once cooked, let it rest briefly before shredding, so it absorbs juices again before serving.
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Gyros?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Beef:
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Gyros:
- 4 pita breads
- 1 cup lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup tomatoes, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- Tzatziki sauce, for serving (store-bought or homemade)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious slow cooker beef gyros recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and will cook in the slow cooker for either 8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high. That’s a total of around 8 hours and 15 minutes for a tasty meal that practically makes itself!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Sear the Beef:
Start by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. While the oil warms up, season your beef chuck roast generously with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, carefully sear the beef in the skillet, cooking each side for about 3-4 minutes until it’s nicely browned. This helps to lock in the flavors. After searing, transfer the beef into the slow cooker.
2. Prepare the Flavor Mix:
In a small bowl, mix together the minced garlic, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, cumin, beef broth, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Stir until well blended, then pour this flavorful mixture over the beef in the slow cooker. It’ll make the meat tender and tasty!
3. Slow Cook Until Tender:
Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or high for about 4-5 hours. When it’s done, your beef will be super tender and easy to shred with a fork. The longer it cooks, the better it gets!
4. Shred the Beef:
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred it. Don’t worry about making it perfect; just get it nice and bite-sized. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker so it can soak up those flavorful juices while you prep the toppings.
5. Warm the Pita:
While the beef is soaking up the delicious juices, warm the pita breads. You can pop them in a toaster or heat them on a skillet for a minute or two until they are warm and soft.
6. Assemble Your Gyros:
Now it’s time to build your gyros! Take a warm pita and pile on a generous amount of the shredded beef. On top of the beef, add your shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Feel free to add as much or as little as you like!
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Don’t forget the tzatziki sauce! Serve it on the side for drizzling or dipping. If you want, you can wrap the gyros in foil for easy handling. Now, sit back, dig in, and enjoy your homemade beef gyros!
Can I Use a Different Cut of Beef?
Absolutely! While beef chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking, you can also use brisket or even a round roast. Just remember that different cuts may require adjustments in cooking time—beef round may cook faster, so check for tenderness sooner.
Can I Prepare This Recipe Without a Slow Cooker?
Yes! You can make these gyros in a Dutch oven or a heavy pot on the stovetop. Just sear the beef as instructed, then add the rest of the ingredients and cover. Simmer on low heat for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the shredded beef; just make sure it’s cooled completely before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. It’ll last about 2-3 months in the freezer!
Can I Make This Recipe Spicier?
Definitely! If you prefer a little heat, consider adding a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix or serve the gyros with a spicy hot sauce or sriracha on the side. Adjust according to your taste!
