Vegan Gyros

Looking for a delicious vegan gyro recipe? Look no further! This recipe uses vegan “meat”  made from Vital Wheat Gluten flour and is packed with flavor from garlic, onion powder, and cumin. 

Serve with homemade tzatziki sauce and your favorite toppings for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Why you’ll love this vegan gyro recipe 

• Flavorful and satisfying: The seitan is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin, and sea salt, creating a savory and slightly spicy flavor that is sure to satisfy your taste buds.
• High in protein: Vital wheat gluten flour is the main ingredient in the seitan, making this recipe a great source of plant-based protein.
• Customizable: You can customize the recipe to your liking by adjusting the seasonings or adding your favorite veggies and toppings.
• Easy to make: This recipe is relatively simple and easy to make, with just a few ingredients and a little bit of prep work.
• Healthier than traditional gyros: Traditional gyros are usually made with meat, which can be high in fat and cholesterol. This vegan version is much healthier, as it is low in fat and free from animal products.
• Great for meal prep: You can make a big batch of the seitan and vegan tzatziki sauce and store them in the fridge for quick and easy meals throughout the week.

Vegan Gyro Ingredients and substitution notes

• Vital Wheat Gluten flour: This flour is a key ingredient for making vegan gyros, as it is high in protein and helps to create a chewy texture. It is also known as seitan flour and can be found in health food stores or online.
• Garlic powder: Garlic powder adds flavor to the seitan dough.
• Onion powder: Onion powder adds a sweet and savory flavor to the seitan dough.
• Paprika: Paprika adds a smoky and sweet flavor to the vegan meat dough. You can substitute it with smoked paprika or omit it altogether.
• Red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add heat to the dough. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the amount or omit them altogether.
• Sea salt: Sea salt enhances the flavor of the seitan dough.
• Cumin: Cumin adds a warm and earthy flavor to the seitan dough.
• Bragg Liquid Aminos: This soy sauce substitute adds umami flavor to the seitan dough. You can substitute it with tamari or soy sauce.

Tzatziki sauce:

• Cucumber (petite diced): This adds a refreshing and cool element to the gyros.
• Garlic: Garlic adds a pungent flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the amount to your liking or omit it altogether.
• Lemon: Lemon juice adds a tangy and acidic flavor to the sauce.
• Dried dill: Dill adds a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce. You can substitute it with fresh dill or parsley.

Recipe variations and add-ins

• Veggie gyros: Add your favorite veggies to your gyro for a healthier and more colorful meal. Some great options include lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell peppers.
• Hummus: Spread some hummus on your pita bread before adding the seitan and veggies for a creamy and flavorful addition.
• Avocado: Add some sliced avocado to your gyro for a creamy and healthy fat addition.
• Tofu tzatziki: If you prefer a tofu-based tzatziki sauce, you can substitute the yogurt with silken tofu and add some lemon juice, garlic, and dill.
• Vegan tzatziki variations: Experiment with different flavors for your tzatziki sauce by adding herbs like mint or parsley.

Top tips for making Vegan Gyros

• Use high-quality vital wheat gluten flour: The key ingredient in the seitan is vital wheat gluten flour, which gives it its meaty texture and protein content. Make sure to use a high-quality flour for the best results.
• Season well: The dough should be seasoned generously with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, cumin, and sea salt for maximum flavor.
• Make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time: Tzatziki sauce tastes better when it has had time to chill and allow the flavors to meld together. Make the sauce a few hours ahead of time or even the day before for the best results.
• Customize the toppings: Feel free to customize the toppings to your liking. Experiment with different veggies, sauces, and spices to create your own unique version of the vegan gyro.

Make ahead of instructions and storage

• Make-ahead instructions: You can prepare the seitan dough and tzatziki sauce up to 2 days in advance and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to assemble the gyros, slice the seitan into strips and reheat it in a pan with some oil. You can also chop the veggies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Storage: Leftover vegan gyros can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent the pita bread from getting soggy, store the gyro strips, veggies, and tzatziki sauce separately and assemble the gyros just before serving. You can also freeze the seitan strips for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a pan with some oil or in the microwave.
• Tzatziki sauce storage: Tzatziki sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will develop over time, making it even more delicious.
• Pita bread storage: Store the pita bread in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. If storing for more than a day, wrap them in foil or plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
• Veggie storage: Store chopped veggies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent them from getting soggy, place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.

Serving suggestions 

• Serve with a side salad: A side salad makes a perfect accompaniment to the vegan gyro. Toss together a simple salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, dressed with lemon juice and olive oil. Try my quick and easy kale salad as an idea!
• Add some fries: Fries are a classic side dish for gyros. You can make your own oven-baked fries or air-fried fries for a healthier option. These vegan eggplant parmesan sticks are a real treat alongside your gyros.
• Serve with hummus: Hummus makes a great dip for the gyro strips. You can also use it as a spread on the pita bread.
• Make a platter: If you’re serving a crowd, make a platter of the gyro strips, pita bread, veggies, and sauces, and let everyone build their own gyros. This makes for a fun and interactive meal that everyone will love.

FAQs

What is seitan and is it gluten-free?

Seitan is a vegan protein made from wheat gluten. It is not gluten-free, so if you have a gluten intolerance or allergy, you should avoid it.

Can I make the seitan meat ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the seitan meat up to 5 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This can save time when preparing the recipe and make it easier to have the gyro strips ready to go when you are ready to serve them.

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