Vegan Gyros (Easy High Protein Dinner)
Absorb yourself in a bit of Greek culture with these easy vegan gyros. Fluffy warm pita bread is filled with boldly spiced oyster mushrooms, sweet caramelized onions, fresh cucumber and tomato, and finished with a cool, garlicky vegan tzatziki sauce. A wholesome, satisfying plant-based dinner ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Gyros Filling:
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tbsp sugar, maple syrup, agave, or date syrup (optional, for caramelizing)
- 8 oz oyster mushrooms, shredded into thin strips
- 1 splash white wine or a fresh squeeze of lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
- Sea salt to taste
Gyros Spice Blend:
- 1 tbsp coriander
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet or smoked)
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1/8 tsp chili powder
For Serving:
- 4 pita breads or flatbreads
- Vegan tzatziki sauce (generous amount)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 large tomato, sliced
- Fresh dill
- Red onion or scallions, thinly sliced
- Optional: hummus, olives, avocado, crispy fries
Instructions
- Make the Spice Blend: Whisk all spice blend ingredients together in a small bowl until fully combined. Store any extra in a sealed spice jar for future use.
- Caramelize the Onions: Heat olive oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. Add sliced onion with a pinch of salt and cook until translucent. Stir in sweetener, cover with a lid, and cook on medium-low heat, stirring often, until deeply golden and jammy - about 15–20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Mushrooms: In the same pan, increase heat to medium-high. Add shredded oyster mushrooms with a splash of white wine or lemon juice. Stir in fresh thyme leaves and cook until mushrooms are wilted and liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Season: Add 3 teaspoons of the gyros spice blend to the mushrooms. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until all moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms look slightly crispy. Taste and adjust seasoning with sea salt as needed.
- Optional Broil Step (Highly Recommended): Transfer mushroom filling to a broiler-safe dish. Lightly spray with olive oil. Broil for 3–4 minutes until edges are crispy. Remove from heat and stir in the reserved caramelized onions.
- Warm the Pita: Heat pita breads in the microwave for 30 seconds, under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, or in a dry skillet until warm and pliable.
- Assemble: Fold each pita into a cone shape and wrap the bottom with parchment paper, securing with kitchen twine if desired. Fill generously with the mushroom and onion mixture. Top with cucumber slices, tomato, red onion, and fresh dill. Drizzle generously with vegan tzatziki sauce.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Tzatziki: Use a thick vegan Greek-style yogurt as the base. Mix in grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water), minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, and salt. Make a large batch - it keeps for 4–5 days in the fridge.
Mushroom Substitutions: Young jackfruit, tempeh, or thinly sliced seitan all work well in place of oyster mushrooms.
No Pita: Use a homemade potato flatbread or a gluten-free wrap as an easy substitute.
Make It Spicy: Add extra chili powder to the spice blend or stir a little hot sauce into the tzatziki.
Storage: The mushroom and onion filling stores in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet or re-broil to revive the crispy texture. Store pita and toppings separately.
Meal Prep Tip: Make a double batch of caramelized onions and keep them in the fridge all week. They make everything better - pizza, pasta, flatbreads, grain bowls.
NUTRITION (per serving, filling only, without pita and toppings)
Calories: 327 kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 203mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 592 IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. Values may vary based on specific ingredients used. This post is for informational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice.