Satisfy your Greek food craving with these mouthwatering homemade vegan gyros! Stuffed with seasoned soy curls and fresh veggies and topped with a creamy and bold plant based tzatziki sauce, this recipe is great for whenever you're wanting a delicious vegan sandwich.
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These homemade gyros have become a staple at our family dinner table whenever we are craving fresh and hearty Mediterranean flavors. They are made with protein-rich soy curls soaked in a quick marinade and sautéed to chewy perfection for my favorite plant-based chicken replacement. Toss in some fresh veggies and a delicious homemade vegantzatziki sauce, these healthy gyros are worth getting excited about.
When I make this recipe, I like to pair it with my homemade garlic hummus and tender falafel for a complete Mediterranean meal.
And best of all? You can prepare these recipes on busy weeknights or special occasions because they are so simple to make! Keep a batch of sautéed soy curls in the refrigerator and you can be enjoying this vegan sandwich all week long.
Recommended Ingredients & Equipment
I know this recipe seems intimidating, but it's really not! With some basic ingredients, you will have perfectly seasoned homemade gyros ready in minutes.
Here is everything you need.
Ingredient Notes
- Soy Curls – If you can’t find soy curls at your grocery store, they can be found online (<<affiliate link). For a soy-free option, use portobello steak strips.
- Vegetable Broth – You can either make your own vegetable broth or use your favorite storebought brand.
- Vegan Yogurt – Look for plain, unsweetened vegan yogurt. My favorite brand is Kite Hill.
- Dill – Fresh is best! But in a pinch, you can use dried. If you are using dried, reduce the amount to 2 teaspoons.
- Pita Bread – Use your favorite storebought pita bread or make your own. For a low carb version, serve these gyros in a lettuce wrap.
Recommended Equipment
You will need some basic kitchen items for this gyros recipe such as a good chef’s knife, cutting board, and basic kitchen utensils, measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a sauté pan,. (<<affiliate links)
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step One – Make the Tzatziki Sauce
Destem and chop the fresh dill. In a bowl, mix the yogurt, chopped dill, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Place in the refrigerator to let the flavors marinated while preparing the rest of the sandwich.
Step Two – Make the Soy Curls
Next, place the soy curls in a bowl and add the broth, garlic, and spices. Stir to combine. Press the curls down into the liquid. Allow them to marinate until they rehydrated; this will take about 10 minutes.
Once they are rehydrated, drain the excess vegetable broth from the soy curls. Heat up olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the soy curls for 5-6 minutes until the soy curls are browned on the outside and cooked all the way through.
Step Three – Assemble the Gyros
Slice the tomatoes and onion. Warm the pita bread in the oven or in a pan.
Finally, assemble the vegan gyros with lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. Top with soy curls and drizzle with tzatziki sauce to finish. Serve immediately!
Serving and Storing
Serving – Serve these homemade Greek gyros with salads, soups, and appetizers.
Storing – Store the soy curls in a separate airtight container separate from the toppings in the refrigerator for up to four days. Leftover tzatziki sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Feel free to prep the gyro sandwiches ahead of time, but be sure not to assemble until you are ready to eat.
Tips and Tricks
- Want a low carb option? Serve this sandwich in a lettuce wrap instead.
- Make the tzatziki first. To allow the flavors to fully marinated, make the tzatziki first. Once it's assembled, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Feel free to add additional toppings such as pepperchinis, hummus, and olives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Soy curls are a dehydrated soy product made by soaking the beans in fresh water and then constantly stirring them while they cook. They then get dried at low temperatures which hold in the nutrients making soy curls a fiber and omega-3 rich food. Also, they are delicious.
Most well-stocked grocery stores carry soy curls in the bulk section. If you can’t find them at your local grocery store, pick some up online.(<<affiliate links)
While soy curls are one of my favorite plant-based chicken substitutions. There are many other vegan protein options for this sandwich. For a soy free alternative, try this recipe with jackfruit, chickpeas, seitan, or portobello steak strips.
Yes! You can make thetzatziki sauce up to 7 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Soy curls can be made up to 3 days in advance. When it is time to make the sandwich, heat up the soy curls, chop the lettuce and tomatoes, and toss everything together.
More Vegan Sandwich Recipes
- Tempeh Reuben
- Vegan Tofu Banh Mi
- Burgers with Black Beans
- 15 Classic Vegan Sandwich Recipes
- Classic Vegan Chicken Salad
Check out all my vegan burger and sandwich recipes for more inspiration!
Vegan Gyros w/ Soy Curls
Ingredients
Marinated Soy Curls
- 8 ounces soy curls
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth
Vegan Tzatziki
- 2 cups plain vegan yogurt
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoon white vinegar
- salt, to taste
Everything Else
- 6 Pita bread
- 1 small head of lettuce
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
Instructions
- Place the soy curls in a large bowl and add in the broth, minced garlic, chili powder, oregano, salt, cumin, Stir to combine everything and press the curls down into the liquid. Allow the soy curls to rehydrate for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the vegan tzatziki. Destem and finely chop the dill. In a small bowl, add the yogurt, chopped dill, minced garlic, white vinegar, and salt. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Once the soy curls are fully hydrated, drain the excess vegetable broth from the soy curls. Heat up olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the soy curls for 5-6 minutes, until the soy curls are browned on the outside and cooked all the way through. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To assemble the gyros, slice the tomatoes and red onion. Warm up the pita in a pan or in the oven. Assemble your gyros with lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. Top with soy curls and drizzle tzatziki over to finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Instead of soy curls, try this recipe with jackfruit, chickpeas, seitan, or mushrooms.
- Be sure to pick ripe tomatoes for this recipe. Make sure the tomatoes are slightly firm, but a little soft and bright red in color.
- Warm the pita bread so it is easier to fold and eat.
- For a soy free alternative, try this recipe with jackfruit, chickpeas, seitan, or portobello steak strips.
- Want a low carb option? Serve this sandwich in a lettuce wrap instead.
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m a 14-year (and counting) vegan, professionally trained photographer, former pastry chef, founder of My Darling Vegan, and author of the
Ci says
I just made this and modified it. Everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing your recipe!!! -- In a large pan bring to boil 4 cups of veg broth, then add 3 minced garlic, and then your herb mixture (I added 1 tsp turmeric, etc herbs). Add the soy curls until they are rehydrated...may need to add some water to rehydrate all. Stir to distribute the liquid evenly. When liquid has evaporated then it's ready.