Meat is cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
Gyros (pronounced YEE-ros) is a popular Greek meat dish, typically beef, lamb, or chicken, cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The meat is generally seasoned with various spices such as oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper, giving it a flavourful and aromatic taste.
Once cooked, the meat is thinly sliced and served wrapped in a flatbread such as a pita, along with toppings like tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce, a creamy yoghurt-based sauce flavoured with garlic and cucumber. Other common accompaniments include feta cheese, olives, and hot sauce.
Where Gyros is Served
Gyros are a portion of beloved street food in Greece and have gained popularity worldwide due to their delicious flavour and convenient handheld format. They are often served in Greek restaurants, food trucks, and fast-food chains, and are enjoyed by people of all backgrounds as a tasty and satisfying meal option.
The name "gyros" indeed comes from the Greek word "γύρος," which means "circle" or "turn." This is because the meat for gyros is traditionally cooked on a vertical rotisserie, slowly rotating as it cooks, resulting in evenly cooked and flavorful meat. The term "gyros" is a calque, or loan translation, of the Turkish word "döner," which also means "turn" or "rotate." Both terms refer to the rotating cooking method used to prepare this delicious dish. Thank you for adding that detail!
Gyros shares similarities with several other dishes from different culinary traditions.
Shawarma: Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish where meat, often lamb, chicken, or beef, is marinated in spices and then cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Like gyros, it is thinly sliced and served in a wrap or pita bread with various toppings and sauces.
Donair: Donair is a Canadian variation of the traditional gyro or döner kebab, typically made with seasoned ground beef cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It is commonly served wrapped in a pita with tomatoes, onions, and a sweet and tangy sauce made with condensed milk, vinegar, and garlic.
Al Pastor: Al pastor is a Mexican dish influenced by Middle Eastern cuisine, particularly the shawarma from Lebanese immigrants to Mexico. It typically consists of thinly sliced pork marinated in a mixture of spices, chillies, and pineapple, then cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Al pastor is often served on tacos or as a filling for burritos.
Döner Kebab: Döner kebab is a Turkish dish from meat (usually lamb, beef, or chicken) cooked on a vertical rotisserie. The cooked meat is typically sliced thinly and served in a wrap or on a plate with accompaniments such as vegetables, rice, and sauces.
These dishes all share the common method of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that is thinly sliced and served in various forms, such as wraps, sandwiches, or plates with accompaniments. Each culture has its unique seasonings, toppings, and sauces, giving these dishes their distinct flavours and characteristics.
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