Instant Pot or Crock Pot Gyro Beef

Truman just came up to me while I was cooking dinner and said, Mom! I taught Valentine how to climb out of her crib!

I said, Truman, I don’t want her to know how to climb out of her crib! Then she won’t stay there when she’s supposed to be sleeping.

He just laughed maniacally and said, “Come on Valentine, let’s go again!”  Nooo wish me luck my friends. I think we just entered a whole new world over here. The world of the uncontainable toddler.

In other news, Eric just “accidentally” signed me up for a 3 day trial at his gym. He told me that he was looking at the info on the sign up page and it just happened. HINT MUCH??

I really have been looking in to signing up though, joking aside. I’ve been wanting to try a spin class, but a few friends of mine told me that it’s way harder than you would think. Now I’m scared before I’ve even started. Has anyone tried a spin class before?

Side note that will make you feel smarter than me: a decade ago when one of my friends mentioned her “spin class” I had images in my head of her spinning around in a room full of other spinners. (Why spinning? Were they practicing spotting, like in ballet? I was too embarrassed to ask. I found out much later that spinning means cycling.) Guys. I’m the hugest dork.

Instant Pot Gyros hit the spot! 

Did you get an Instant Pot for Christmas? They have been all the rage the last few years. There is a bit of a learning curve, but they are easy to use once you get the hang of it. I’ve broken it down for you in the recipe below!

Have you ever had a Greek Gyro? A traditional gyro meat recipe uses ground lamb and/or beef with traditional Greek spices. (Update! I recently posted a traditional Greek Gyro recipe, with ground gyro meat. Check it out!) Today we’re using a beef roast instead of gyro meat, but using the same traditional spices. It’s a knock out combo!

What is a Gyro?

Gyros are a delicious Greek dish made with roasted meat (usually beef, lamb, or chicken) served in a warm pita with a variety of toppings, including sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. Feta cheese might also make an appearance. The real essential is Tzatziki sauce, in which creamy Greek yogurt is combined with cool cucumbers and spiced with garlic, dill, and lemon. It is simple, fresh, and healthy. 

Why you’ll love this Shredded Gyro Beef

Your crockpot and instant pot are your best friends when it comes to throwing together a quick and delicious Greek meal for your family. Choose the one you prefer, grab your beef roast and some traditional spices, and make your house smell incredible while you bask in the hands-off dinner prep happening around you. 

Going low-carb? Serve this beef with cauliflower rice. Bread lover 4 life? Warm some pita bread and stuff it. Either way you’re going to love the fresh veggie and herb toppings and the creamy, garlicky Tzatziki sauce. Heaven I say!

Since Natalie’s book is all about the Paleo recipes (no bread), she made these what I call “burrito-bowl” style, where you put all the contents of a burrito (or gyro, in this case) in a bowl and skip the tortilla or pita bread. I did the same, pairing this with the Cauliflower Rice that I just posted, and my own version of Tzatziki Sauce. The combination of this beef with the Tzatziki sauce is AMAZING, so I definitely wouldn’t skip it, even if you don’t end up making the cauliflower rice.

Of course you could always just buy pita bread and throw the shredded beef inside with the Tzatziki sauce and the cucumbers, red onions, and cherry tomatoes. That would be heavenly.

Ingredients for Crockpot Gyros

Here’s a quick shopping list to help you gather your ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients and instructions!

Ingredients for the roast and dry rub

The recipe calls for about 100 spices, which is kind of annoying if you don’t have a well-stocked spice cabinet. Do your best, but don’t worry if you’re missing a spice or two, it’s still going to taste wonderful!

Ingredients for serving with shredded gyro beef

How to make Instant Pot Gyro Beef

Here’s a quick overview of how to make gyro shredded beef in the Instant Pot. Scroll down to the recipe card below for complete instructions!

1. Combine the spices in a small bowl. 
2. Place the beef on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the beef into 2 or more chunks and rub the spices all over them.
3. Turn your Instant Pot on to the “Sauté” setting. When it is nice and hot, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then add half of the beef. Sear for about 1-2 minutes, until well browned. Use tongs to flip the meat over and sear the other side for 1-2 minutes and remove to a plate. Continue by searing the other half of the meat.
4. When all the meat is browned, turn off the sauté setting. Add all the meat to the pot, as well as half of the sliced red onion, garlic, and beef broth. 
5. Put the lid on the pressure cooker and make sure the valve is set to “Seal.” Pressure cook on high for 90 to 110 minutes. 
6. Let the pressure cooker release naturally for 10-15 minutes. 
7. Use a long spoon to carefully move the valve over to “Vent.” Lots of angry steam will come out the top. Open the lid and take out a forkful of meat. Taste it and see if it is as tender as you want it to be. If it’s still chewy, replace the lid, bring it back up to pressure and cook for another 10 minutes. 
8. When the meat is done, remove from the pressure cooker and shred, then squeeze lemon juice over the shredded beef. 

How to make Crock Pot Gyros

Here’s a quick overview of how to make gyro shredded beef in the crock pot. Scroll down to the recipe card below for complete instructions!

1. Combine the spices in a small bowl. 
2. Place the beef on a cutting board and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the beef into 2 or more chunks and rub the spices all over them.
3. Sear the meat with the oil in a pan on the stove, using medium high heat.
4. Add the meat, red onion, garlic, and beef broth to the slow cooker. Cook on low for about 8 hours until fork tender.

How are your healthy plans for January going? I’m doing my best over here but it’s only going to be so long before my resistance crumbles and I start posting Super Bowl recipes :) I already took photos of my new favorite, it’s a pork sausage dip with an inordinate amount of cream cheese. It’s a huge family favorite that my brother always makes. Bring it on!

Update! I recently made a recipe for traditional Greek Gyros with Homemade Gyro Meat. It’s so good! If you love this recipe, you will love that one too.

Beef Gyro Subs and Variations

This shredded beef gyro meat is an excellent way to satisfy your gyro cravings–and it’s easy to make in the instant pot or crock pot. It’s a variation of traditional gyro meat, which is roasted. Another variation I love is what I call “meatloaf-style,” in which ground beef and ground lamb are mixed with spices and baked in the oven before slicing and serving. It’s the spices added to the red meat that create the gyro flavor (you know, the one that makes your mouth water as you remember every delicious gyro you’ve ever eaten). 

How to serve Shredded Instant Pot Gyro Beef

Here are some fantastic ways to serve shredded gyro beef.

• Serve it burrito-bowl style with Tzatziki Sauce, Cauliflower Rice (or regular rice), cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, sliced cucumbers, and fresh herbs. 
• Serve it as more traditional gyros, with all of the above (minus the cauliflower rice) wrapped up in a warm pita. Yummm
• Shovel it straight from the crockpot or pressure cooker into your open mouth.
• Add the gyro beef to red sauce enchiladas for a mind-blowing fusion experience.
• Toss it in your next quesadilla or grilled cheese sandwich (because bread + cheese + meat = yesssssss).
• Throw it on a pizza with white sauce, mozzarella, feta cheese, and fresh tomatoes, then sprinkle on fresh chopped dill and drizzle with Tzatziki after it comes out of the oven (I’m not drooling, you’re drooling). 

Gyros Storage

Leftover shredded beef gyro meat can be stored in a tupperware in the fridge for 3-4 days. It’s also easy to freeze and keep on hand for a last-minute meal. You can put the meat in ziploc bags and then flatten them down so they’re super easy to defrost. The meat will be at its best in the freezer for 2-3 months but is safe to eat beyond that. 

More Instant Pot Recipes you will love

Cafe Rio Sweet Shredded Pork for Burritos (Slow Cooker/Instant Pot) have you ever been to Cafe Rio?? This is even better :)

Traditional Tejano Carne Guisada (Braised Beef for Tacos) < this is a huge family favorite

Easy Fall-Apart Pot Roast with Carrots (Slow Cooker) << one of my top recipes from 2018!

Chipotle Shredded Beef (Instant Pot) from Taste and Tell

Pressure Cooker Mongolian Beef from Pressure Cooking Today

Insanely Good Instant Pot Korean Beef from Primavera Kitchen