Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki
Roasted lamb thinly sliced and wrapped in warm pita with a spicy harissa-infused tzatziki that adds a smoky heat. This greek-inspired lamb ready in about 100 minutes pairs pounds boneless leg of lamb, teaspoons kosher salt, teaspoon black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless leg of lamb
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons harissa paste
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
- 6 rounds pita bread
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Rub this mixture all over a 3-pound boneless leg of lamb.
- Step 2: Place lamb on a roasting rack in a pan and roast for 1 hour 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare. Remove and rest 15 minutes before slicing thinly.
- Step 3: For harissa tzatziki, combine 1 cup plain Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons harissa paste, 1/2 cup grated and drained cucumber, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Step 4: Warm 6 pita breads briefly in the oven. Fill each pita with sliced lamb, 2 tablespoons harissa tzatziki, and thin slices of 1 small red onion. Fold and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (20 min prep + 80 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds boneless leg of lamb from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Greek-Style Roasted Lamb Gyros with Harissa Tzatziki?
Greek lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
