Gyros Smashed Tacos Recipe
Gyros Smashed Tacos combine the flavorful spices of traditional Greek gyros with the fun, handheld convenience of tacos. Ground beef or lamb is seasoned with garlic, oregano, cumin, and paprika, then smashed directly onto mini flour tortillas and pan-fried until crispy and golden. Served with creamy tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, tangy sumac onions, parsley, and crispy fries, these tacos offer a delicious fusion of Mediterranean and Mexican flavors perfect for a casual meal or entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 tacos 1x
- Category: Tacos
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek-Mexican Fusion
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 500 g regular (20% fat) minced (ground) beef or lamb
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Tacos & Toppings
- 8 mini flour tortillas (15 cm/6 inches)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- The BEST Tzatziki (amount as preferred)
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- Sumac Onions (prepared separately)
- ¼ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Air-fryer chips, fries or freezer chips (as desired)
- Lemon wedges (to serve)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, combine the minced beef or lamb with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, sweet paprika, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Use your hands to mix thoroughly until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the meat. Then, divide the mixture into eight equal portions.
- Prepare the tacos: Lay out the mini flour tortillas on a flat surface, preferably on parchment or baking paper. Place one portion of the meat mixture in the center of each tortilla. Using your fingers, press and flatten the meat firmly, spreading it evenly to cover nearly the entire tortilla surface.
- Cook the tacos: Heat half of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the tortillas meat-side down in the hot pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the meat is browned and crispy. Flip the tacos and cook the tortilla side for an additional 30 seconds until golden. Repeat this process in batches for all tacos, adding more oil as needed. Keep finished tacos warm in a low oven set to 120°C (250°F) or 100°C (200°F fan-forced). Optionally, brush the tops with a little olive oil before warming to enhance crispiness, though this is not necessary if using 20% fat mince.
- Serve: Top each taco with a generous dollop of tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, sumac onions, and a sprinkle of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley. Add a few air-fryer chips or fries on top or on the side. Serve with fresh lemon wedges for squeezing over the tacos to add a bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Using 20% fat content mince ensures the meat stays juicy while being cooked at high heat and helps to prevent drying out when warming in the oven.
- Sumac onions add a tangy flavor that complements the gyros spices; they can be made by soaking sliced onions in lemon juice and sprinkle with sumac spice.
- The mini tortillas used are about 6 inches in diameter, perfect for making these taco-sized gyros.
- You can prepare the tzatziki ahead of time or use store-bought for convenience.
- If preferred, air-fry your chips or fries for a healthier, crispier side.
Keywords: Gyros tacos, smashed tacos, Greek tacos, ground beef tacos, lamb tacos, tzatziki tacos, fusion cuisine, easy taco recipe, fried tacos, seasoned ground beef
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/gyros-smashed-tacos-recipe/
