Gyro Bowls: Craving-Inducing Meatballs with Tzatziki, Lemon Rice, and Cucumber Salad in 35 Minutes
A vibrant Greek-inspired bowl with oven-baked lamb or beef meatballs, tangy tzatziki, zesty lemon rice, and a refreshing cucumber-tomato salad—ready in 35 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or meal prep with bold, balanced flavors.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
1 pound ground lamb or beef
¼ cup minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large egg, room temperature
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon Greek seasoning (oregano, dill, marjoram)
½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper
For the Tzatziki: 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ teaspoon salt
½ European cucumber, peeled, grated, and drained
1 cup plain Greek yogurt, drained for thickness
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon olive oil
Black pepper to taste
For the Lemon Rice: 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown)
Juice of half a lemon
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Cucumber & Tomato Salad: 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes or chopped tomatoes
1 cup diced cucumber (drained)
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
Optional garnishes: Crumbled feta, chopped dill or parsley, sumac, warm pita
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.
In a bowl, combine ground lamb or beef, minced onion, garlic, egg, feta, Greek seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—avoid overmixing.
Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 24-28). Place on baking sheet in a single layer.
Drizzle meatballs with olive oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, turning once, until browned and cooked through (meatballs should be no more than 160°F internally).
For Tzatziki: In a bowl, combine garlic, salt, drained cucumber, yogurt, mint, dill, olive oil, and pepper. Stir until smooth. Refrigerate for 10 minutes while preparing other components.
For Lemon Rice: Toss cooked rice with lemon juice and salt. Adjust seasoning as needed.
For Cucumber & Tomato Salad: Combine tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, and salt. Toss gently to coat.
Assemble bowls: Divide rice among 4-6 bowls. Top with meatballs, tzatziki, salad, and optional garnishes like feta, sumac, or herbs.
Notes
For halal/non-alcoholic adherence: Use halal-certified meat and ensure yogurt and olive oil are not made with pork products.
Customize with roasted eggplant or zucchini for extra veggies.
Meatballs freeze well (ungarlic); bake from frozen at 400°F for 20-22 minutes.
Serving note: For a lighter version, serve with quinoa instead of rice.