If your initial reaction to the title of this recipe was, “What the heck is a ‘fyro?’” allow me to clarify. Pronounced fee-row, the “fyro”—short for fake gyro—is a term I coined to describe this delightful sandwich that bears a resemblance to the traditional Greek gyro (pronounced yee-row). A gyro, rooted in the Greek word for “turn” or “revolution,” signifies the method of cooking meat on a vertical rotisserie. This distinction is what inspired me to give my version its own name.
Traditionally crafted, a gyro features meat sliced off a vertical roaster, served on pita bread, accompanied by tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, fresh tomatoes and slices of red onion. Gyros, one of my favorite sandwiches, captivate me with the interplay of succulent meat and creamy tzatziki mingling with the zest of vibrant purple onions and tangy feta, all wrapped in a soft pita. Making gyros at home can be challenging without the right equipment and technique, prompting the creation of the fyro. This version captures the essence of a gyro, but comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal equipment, making it an ideal weeknight meal.
This recipe is incredibly adaptable and flexible based on your personal preferences and what you have available in your freezer. While traditional gyros blend lamb and beef, I opted for 100 percent ground wild pork in my rendition. Feel free to use venison or any other ground game that suits your taste. For convenience, store-bought tzatziki or a preferred Greek seasoning blend can substitute for my homemade versions if you are crunched for time. If you plan to use the store-bought version of the two aforementioned items, plan to skip steps one and two.
A crucial tip for the recipe: Opt for full-fat Greek yogurt when making tzatziki to ensure the authentic taste and texture. Similarly, selecting high-quality, store-bought pita bread enhances culinary success.
Ingredients
• 1 lb. ground wild pork
• ½ white onion, diced
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 pack of store-bought pita bread
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Chopped tomatoes
• Feta cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Greek Seasoning Blend
• 1 Tbsp oregano
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp parsley
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp marjoram
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp lemon pepper
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp black pepper
For the Tzatziki
• 1 cup of full-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 cucumber, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, grated
• ½ lemon, juiced
• 1½ Tbsp chopped dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the tzatziki sauce. For best flavor, prepare this at least 2 hours in advance and set aside.
2. In a small jar, mix thoroughly all the ingredients listed under the Greek Seasoning Blend and set aside.
3. Heat 2 Tbsp of avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced white onions until just opaque (2-3 minutes). Once onions are cooked, add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add ground pork. Sauté until just cooked through, approximately 8 minutes total. Halfway through cooking, at around 4 minutes, add 1½ Tbsp of the Greek seasoning blend to the pork and stir thoroughly. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. To prepare the pitas, wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30-45 seconds or until soft and pliable. Place a pita on a plate, spread a thin layer of tzatziki in the middle, and top with ground pork, chopped tomato, thinly sliced red onion and feta. Enjoy!
Meet Holly Hearn
Holly Hearn is the head chef and owner behind Game Girl Gourmet, a premium culinary service that brings her wild-game-rich kitchen skills to hunting lodges, fishing boats and private events around the world. When she’s not traveling and cooking for hungry clientele, or teaching seminars on preparing wild game, you can find Holly fishing and hunting to fill her own freezer and searching for her next culinary inspiration.
If you’re interested in making a more traditional gyro with wild game or would like to follow all of Holly’s cooking and outdoor adventures, head over to gamegirlgourmet.com to sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow her on Instagram or Facebook.
