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A juicy, slow-cooked chuck roast is seasoned with garlic, lemon, and oregano, then shredded to create the ultimate crockpot beef gyros. Piled onto warm pita bread and topped with crisp veggies, these gyros deliver bold Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Serve with creamy tzatziki sauce for the perfect finishing touch!
Table of Contents
Featured Comment
"We just had this for dinner and it was great! Everyone loved it. Fab flavour and so easy- I just put it on this morning before the school run and it was ready for when we wanted it. We serves it as recommended and it was delicious. Thanks for such a great recipe!"
- HM
Why Make this Recipe
This Slow Cooker Beef Gyro recipe is not your usual boring crockpot recipe. This recipe has loads of Mediterranean flavor and fresh toppings that make it special.
Has a long cooking time (8 hours), which is great for workdays. Just come home, shred the meat and serve.
Feeds a large family on a budget; even though a chuck roast can be expensive, this recipe can feed around 8 people.
We also make an easy Crockpot Chicken Gyros recipe, which has all these wonderful flavors as well.
The Ingredients
This recipe has so many fresh ingredients! See the full recipe in the recipe card below the images.
Chuck Roast: Look for a meaty 3-4 pound beef chuck roast, which will later be cut into 2-3 inch chunks for cooking.
Onion: A red onion is used as a base for the roast to cook on (for even more flavor).
Herbs, Lemon and Oil: Salt, black pepper and oregano will season the roast, while a drizzle of olive oil will keep the meat moist. The lemon will add that Greek flavor we love.
Tzatziki Sauce: The traditional Greek sauce that pairs perfectly with beef gyros. I find this near the salad mixes at the store (refrigerated). Or you can make your homemade tzatziki sauce with Greek yogurt.
Greek Style Pita Bread and Toppings: Used to sandwich everything together and make it a full meal.
How to Make Beef Gyros in the Slow Cooker
- Drizzle olive oil in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then add sliced red onion.
- Add the chuck roast chunks.
- Add in the garlic and seasonings.
- Shred up the beef and get ready to serve.
Variations
Want to make a change? Here are my approved adaptations:
- A different meat choice can be made; a leg of lamb, beef flank steak, or even chicken breasts.
- Lime juice can be used instead of lemon.
- You can use a whole chuck roast instead of chunking it up into pieces.
- Add the zest of the lemon for even more lemon flavor.
My Serving Suggestions
Here is how I serve this easy gyro meat:
- Traditional: traditional gyros are made with pita bread, a scoop of gyro meat, and topped with sliced tomatoes, red onions, and a nice helping of tzatziki sauce.
- Add Extra Toppings: other toppings that pair well with beef gyros are chopped romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and fresh dill.
- Side Suggestions: Although the gyros can be the main course, make this a more hearty meal by pairing the gyros with a classic Greek salad, French fries, or a chilled pasta salad.
- Leftovers: The beef is very neutral in flavoring, we like to use the leftovers in Mexican recipes!
More Roast Slow Cooker Recipes
For an easy, buttery, and flavorful dish, try Mississippi Pot Roast, slow-cooked to tender perfection with ranch, brown gravy, and pepperoncini.
Prepare tender Mexican shredded beef in your crockpot for flavorful tacos, burritos, or bowls, or try a classic Italian Pot Roast, slow-cooked to perfection.
For a tangy twist, make a Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Pot Roast, or enjoy rich and savory Venison Roast for a hearty meal.
Indulge in Slow Cooker Birria Tacos with tender, shredded meat, or savor the flavors of Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwiches, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
If you tried this Beef Gyros recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Happy Slow Cooking!
How to Video
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 3-4 lbs. beef chuck roast, cut into 2 to 3 inch chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
For the gyros:
- 8 greek-style pitas
- diced red onion
- diced tomatoes
- diced cucumber
- shredded lettuce
- tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Drizzle the olive oil into the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the red onions over the olive oil.
- Arrange the roast over the onions. Drop the garlic over the roast and season the pieces with the lemon juice, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the lid over the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Remove the lid and shred the beef with two forks.
- Warm the pita breads if desired (char them slightly). Serve the beef with a slotted spoon over pitas. Top as desired with onion, tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce, and tzatziki sauce.
Sarah's Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I have a clarification question. In the video you keep the roast whole during the cooking process. But in the recipe it says cut the roast into 2-3 inch pieces before cooking. Just wondering which is correct before I make it. Thanks so much!
You can do either! You will get a little more flavor if you cube it though.
This was great! We added a tsp of thyme for a little more seasoning. I wouldn’t say it’s exactly a gyro flavoring but very close and was absolutely a treat to eat. Not to mention it was very low effort for the results.
Delicious
I’ve made this so many times and the whole family loves it!!! Silly question, do you think cutting the meat is necessary or will it be just fine doing the whole roast?! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!!
I do think it would do fine with the roast being whole! Once you shred it, it will take on all the flavors.
Such a great idea/recipe! Instead of oregano, I used a clubhouse Greek seasoning mix and it came out AMAZING. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I am going to try that! Thank you for the tip.
Could this be made in a pressure cooker?
I’m sure it could! I don’t have timings for you though.
Going to the grocery store so I can get all fresh ingredients!!!
You will LOVE this recipe!
How long would this take on high? I have precut chuck roast (2”ish$” cubes)
I would guess 3.5 hours on high.
We just had this for dinner and it was great! Everyone loved it. Fab flavour and so easy- I just put it on this morning before the school run and it was ready for when we wanted it. We serves it as recommended and it was delicious. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Hi Sarah
Just a question before I make it. Do we add some liquid at the start of the slow cooking?
Love your recipes.
Regards
David
Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia
No, the lemon juice will be enough to get it started and the roast will create its own juices.