Slow Cooker Beef Gyros


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A chuck roast is slow-cooked to a tender, flavorful perfection for the best-tasting slow cooker beef gyros. Topped with traditional veggies and packed into soft pita bread, these gyros will become a new family favorite. Don’t forget to pair it with a side of creamy tzatziki sauce.

Who knew that you could make gyros from shredded beef in the crockpot! We also love Mexican Shredded Beef and Italian Shredded Beef.

beef gyro in front of slow cooker.
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Why this recipe works

If you’re looking for a meal that can be ready when you are but doesn’t require you to stand over a hot stove or oven, this gyros recipe is the answer. Most recipes suggest searing the roast before putting it in the slow cooker, but we skip that step with our beef gyro recipe and still come out with the most tender, pull-apart beef roast you’ve ever had.

This recipe is also ideal if you’re feeding a large family. Because the gyros can technically be a meal by itself, adding a side could be optional yet simple to do.

Recipe Ingredients

ingredients for beef gyros on table.
  • Chuck Roast: look for a meaty 3-4 pound beef chuck roast, which will later be cut into 2-3 inch chunks for cooking.
  • Vegetables: red onion is sliced and used to help cook the perfect roast, while romaine lettuce, cucumber, and tomato will be sliced and diced to create fresh and crunchy toppings.
  • Herbs & Spice: dill weed is used for garnishing, while salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic are added to flavor the roast.
  • 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.
  • Gree Style Pita Bread: used to sandwich everything together and can be left as-is or slightly charred.
  • Lemon: the lemon juice can be an optional garnish to the tzatziki sauce and/or lightly squeezed on top of the gyro for a tangy finish.

Step-by-Step Directions

4 image collage on how to add ingredients to slow cooker for beef gryros.

Step One – Slice the onion and lay it in the crockpot over an olive oil-covered bottom.

Step Two – Add the quartered chuck roast pieces on top of the sliced red onion.

Step Three – Cover the meat with salt, pepper, oregano, and minced garlic. Cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Step Four – When cooking time is complete, shred the meat with two forks and serve.

shredded beef gyro meat in slow cooker.

How to serve

  • 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.
beef gryro with cucumber and tomato on top.

Recipe FAQs

How do you char pita bread?

Brush both sides of the pita bread with olive oil (spraying with cooking spray works too). Place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and “cook” on each side for 10-15 seconds.

How do you store leftover meat?

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months. Use it to make more gyros later or make something entirely new like beef tacos or shredded beef salad.

Can you use a different cut of meat?

Yes! Another go-to option for a recipe like this is the flank steak. You can also fully substitute the meat altogether and use chicken to make a chicken gyro or lamb to make lamb gyros.

beef gyro wrapped in foil in front of slow cooker.

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slow cooker gyros with sauce on side.

Slow Cooker Beef Gyros

5 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Make flavorful beef for gyros right in the slow cooker. Pile the beef on greek style pitas and top with your favorite toppings

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.

How to Video

Sarah’s Notes

How to char pita bread?
Brush both sides of the pita bread with olive oil (spraying with cooking spray works too). Place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and “cook” on each side for 10-15 seconds.
How to store:
Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator for up to five days, or in the freezer for up to three months. Use it to make more gyros later or make something entirely new like beef tacos or shredded beef salad.
Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes! Another go-to option for a recipe like this is the flank steak. You can also fully substitute the meat altogether and use chicken to make a chicken gyro or lamb to make lamb gyros.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 430mg | Potassium: 633mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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Recipe Rating




7 Comments

  1. Matthew says:

    5 stars
    Going to the grocery store so I can get all fresh ingredients!!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You will LOVE this recipe!

  2. Ellie says:

    How long would this take on high? I have precut chuck roast (2โ€ish$โ€ cubes)

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I would guess 3.5 hours on high.

  3. HM says:

    5 stars
    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!

  4. David Cartmell says:

    5 stars
    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

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      No, the lemon juice will be enough to get it started and the roast will create its own juices.