Gyro Smash Burger Tacos Recipe
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These Gyro Smash Burger Tacos are like the pool party version of a gyro. You don’t want to eat a big ole pita because it’s already hard enough sucking your gut in while you try to do a front flip off the diving board for the first time since 2006. And whoever’s holding down the grill can bang out round after round with one hand on the spatula and the other on an ice-cold bevvie. So turn up the T.I. and keep them knees tucked for your entire rotation.
PREP TIME
20 mins
COOK TIME
10 mins
SERVINGS
4
Ingredients
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1/2 large cucumber, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp freshly minced dill
Gyro Smash Burger Tacos
- 1 lb ground lamb, refrigerator temp
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- 1 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 4 fajita size tortillas
- 1 medium onion, thinly slivered
- Romaine lettuce, shredded
- Roma tomatoes, diced
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Feta cheese, freshly crumbled
- Fresh dill, for garnish
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:
Gyro Smash Burger Tacos
Tzatziki Sauce
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients and mix until well-integrated. Chill in refrigerator until ready for use.
Gyro Smash Burger Tacos
- In a medium bowl, mix lamb with spices until evenly distributed. Form four balls and chill in fridge until ready to cook.
- Heat a cast iron skillet pan on high heat. Be sure to get the pan very hot. Place 2 lamb balls evenly spaced apart. Top each with tortilla shell. Using a grill weight or your hand, smash down the burger so that it is about 1/4” thick. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until meat reaches desired doneness.
- Flip burger to the tortilla side and let crisp up for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Repeat steps 2 & 3 with remaining 2 lamb balls.
- Sauté onions in lamb fat on skillet until caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Top tacos with grilled onions, lettuce, tomatoes, Tzatziki Sauce, feta, and dill. Enjoy!
Where Did Gyro Smash Burger Tacos Come From?
Like all great food hybrids (looking at you, cronut), the Gyro Smash Burger Taco doesn’t have one clear origin story—probably because it’s the kind of thing that happens when a hungry person stares into their fridge and thinks, What if?
The smash burger itself has been around since the 1950s, originating in classic American diners where burger patties were literally smashed onto a hot griddle for maximum crusty, caramelized goodness. Meanwhile, gyros—those glorious Greek pitas stuffed with spiced, slow-roasted meat—have been gracing the world with their presence for centuries. And tacos? Well, tacos need no introduction.
At some point, someone brilliant decided to take the best parts of all three:
🔥 The crispy, beefy goodness of a smash burger
🌯 The bold, garlicky, herby flavors of a gyro
🌮 The convenient, handheld perfection of a taco
And thus, the Gyro Smash Burger Taco entered the chat.
What Makes a Gyro Smash Burger Taco?
A true Gyro Smash Burger Taco is a masterpiece of textures and flavors, bringing together the best of three worlds. Here’s what makes it special:
The Tortilla: Instead of a bun or pita, the tortilla acts as the perfect vessel—soft, slightly crispy from the griddle, and just sturdy enough to hold everything together.
The Burger Smash: Ground beef (or lamb, if you’re feeling extra gyro-authentic) gets pressed onto a hot tortilla, searing beautifully while fusing with the flatbread.
The Seasoning: The key to gyro greatness is in the spices—think garlic, oregano, cumin, and a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg for that signature Mediterranean warmth.
The Toppings: A proper Gyro Smash Burger Taco doesn’t skimp. You’ll find a generous drizzle of tzatziki (because, obviously), fresh cucumbers and tomatoes, crumbled feta, red onions, and maybe even some crispy fries stuffed in there for good measure.
The Drizzle Factor: Some go for extra tzatziki, others throw in a spicy harissa or garlic sauce, and a few legends out there even add a balsamic glaze moment.
Variations on the Gyro Smash Burger Taco
There’s no wrong way to build a Gyro Smash Burger Taco, but here are a few fun takes on the classic:
The All-Lamb Version: Swap out the beef for ground lamb to get that authentic gyro experience—rich, juicy, and ridiculously flavorful.
The Greek-American Special: Keep the beef but mix in gyro spices, then top it with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a little ketchup-mayo blend for a fast-food-meets-Mediterranean twist.
The Loaded Street Food Style: Go all out with crispy fries inside the taco, a heavy-handed amount of feta, and a double dose of tzatziki and hot sauce.
The Spicy Kick: Add pickled jalapeños, harissa, or a squeeze of sriracha to balance out all that creamy, garlicky goodness.
The Protein Swap: Feeling adventurous? Try it with ground chicken or even a veggie-friendly falafel smash instead.
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