Vegan Gyros

These Vegan Gyros are made with warm pita bread stuffed with seasoned chickpeas, a flavorful yogurt-dill tzatziki sauce, and delicious vegetables. This sandwich is absolutely fabulous!

A Gyro is a traditional Greek dish that is usually made with pork, chicken, beef, or lamb that is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Served in a pita, the bread is filled with meat, a yogurt-based tzatziki sauce, and vegetables.

This Vegan Gyro recipe has all the flavor of the original, but made with yummy plant-based ingredients. Chickpeas tossed in spices and baked, fresh dill in the tangy tzatziki sauce, and crisp vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers. These gyros are tasty and filling hand-held meals served in a warm, fluffy pita bread.

Video Tutorial

Is Gyro vegan?

Since a gyro is traditionally made with rotisserie meat and Greek yogurt in the sauce, it is not usually vegan. But these Vegan Gyros are made with plant-based yogurt and chickpeas instead to make them a delicious vegan alternative.

What you'll need

For the Roasted Chickpeas:

• Cooked Chickpeas. You can boil the chickpeas yourself or use canned chickpeas.
• Olive oil. Or any other oil of choice.
• Seasonings. Sweet paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper.

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

• Vegan Yogurt. Plain, unsweetened, plant-based yogurt is needed. I used plain cashew yogurt by Forager.
• Cucumber. You can choose to peel it or keep the skin on.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. Or lemon juice.
• Olive Oil. Extra virgin olive oil is best here.
• Dill. Fresh works best. Use dried dill if you can’t find fresh.
• Salt.

For the Gyro:

• Pita Bread. Regular or whole wheat.
• Veggies. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, olives, spinach, and sweet peppers make great toppings.

How to make Vegan Gyros

1. Roast the Chickpeas. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place the cooked chickpeas on a baking tray. Add the olive oil, paprika, salt, and cayenne. Mix everything well and bake for 15 minutes.

2. Make the Tzatziki Sauce. While the chickpeas are in the oven, make the sauce by mixing the tzatziki ingredients together in a small bowl.

3. Prep the Veggies. Slice the tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, onions, and any other vegetables you are going to use.

4. Assemble the Gyro. Warm the pita bread (in the oven, microwave, or toaster). Arrange the lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions (or other veggies) on top. Then add the roasted chickpeas and a generous amount of tzatziki sauce right on top. Fold the gyro in half and serve.

What kind of bread is best for vegan gyros

The best type of bread for vegan gyros is pita bread, which is naturally vegan. Naan and flatbread can also be used, but make sure to check the labels to be sure they are indeed vegan before using them. You can also make your own so you know exactly what goes into them.

Vegan meat alternative for a gyro

Store-bought vegan meat replacements. As an alternative, you can check a grocery or specialty store for a vegan "meat" to use in your gyro. There are lots of options nowadays in the freezer section.

Roasted chickpeas. Roast your own chickpeas to use as your main protein. Add spices to fit your tastes.

Grilled vegetables. Grill mushrooms or eggplant to add a "meaty" texture to your vegan gyro filling.

Tips for the best Vegan Gyros

• Coat the chickpeas with spices. Toss the chickpeas in oil and spices to give them a nice even coating before baking them.
• Cut the veggies small. Since the pita can tear if it's overfilled, make sure to slice the vegetables to small even sizes so they all fit in your Vegan Gyros.
• Warm the pita bread. Cold pita bread is less malleable and more likely to tear. Avoid this by warming it so it bends more easily when you fill and eat it.
• Only assemble when you're ready to serve. So the pita doesn't get soggy from the vegetables and sauce, assemble the gyros only when you're ready to serve them.

Add-ins and Substitutes

• Substitute different vegan meat replacements. From plant-based "meats" to grilled vegetables to beans, there are a lot of alternative fillings for a delicious vegan gyro.
• Add different vegetables. You can enjoy this recipe with lots of different vegetables as filling. Sliced carrots, green onions, pepperoncini peppers, or zucchini could be included.
• Substitute a gluten-free bread. Either store-bought or homemade gluten-free pita bread is all you need to make these Vegan Gyros for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Make it spicy. A little red pepper flake or dash of hot sauce in the tzatziki sauce, or cayenne pepper added to the spices on the chickpeas will give this dish some heat.

How to Store

Store these Vegan Gyros in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It's best to store the sauce, vegetables, and chickpeas in separate containers in the fridge, and the pita bread at room temperature to avoid them getting soggy. Just warm the bread and assemble when you're ready.

What to Serve with it

• On its own. This is a filling meal as is, so you can make a satisfying lunch or dinner out of these all on their own.
• Vegetables. Pair these Vegan Gyros with some Simple Sautéed Vegetables, Braised Cabbage and Vegetables, Roasted Tomato Pesto Vegetables, or Baked Vegan Zucchini Fries.
• Potatoes. Easy Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Paprika Baked Potato, or Vegan Spinach Mashed Potatoes are all flavorful dishes to complement these gyros.
• Salad. Add a side of Tomato and Onion Salad, Simple Avocado Salad, or Quick and Easy Chickpea Salad to your gyro plate.

These Vegan Gyros are the perfect way to enjoy a plant-based version of this Greek classic. Whether for lunch or dinner, this favorite will make everyone smile.

More vegan recipes to try:

• Vegan Overnight Oats
• Spinach Orzo Soup
• Easy Fajita Vegetables
• Eggplant in Tomato Sauce