If you are craving a bold fusion packed with Mediterranean flair and the irresistible crunch of street food, let me introduce you to my absolute favorite: Gyros Smashed Tacos with Tzatziki and Sumac Onions Recipe. This dish takes juicy, spiced ground beef or lamb and transforms it into crispy, handheld tacos topped with cooling, creamy tzatziki and vibrant sumac onions. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that feels both adventurous and familiar, making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is delightfully simple but every ingredient plays a crucial role in building the layered flavors and textures. From the rich, well-seasoned meat to the tangy sumac onions and refreshing tzatziki, each element adds a unique touch that elevates these smashed tacos beyond ordinary.
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) minced beef or lamb (20% fat): Choose this fat content for juicy, flavorful meat that crisps up beautifully.
- 1 tsp garlic powder: Adds a deep, savory note to the meat mix without overpowering.
- 1 tsp onion powder: Enhances the meat’s natural sweetness and complexity.
- 1 tsp dried oregano: A classic Mediterranean herb contributing earthiness and warmth.
- 1 tsp ground cumin: Brings a subtle smokiness that complements the lamb or beef perfectly.
- ½ tsp sweet paprika: Adds mild sweetness and gentle color.
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes: Essential for seasoning to bring out the best in all ingredients.
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper: Gives a touch of heat and bites into the palate.
- 8 mini flour tortillas (15 cm/6 inches): Soft yet sturdy enough to hold your fillings and get crispy when cooked.
- 2 tbsp olive oil: For frying to that perfect golden crunch.
- The BEST Tzatziki: Creamy cooling sauce to balance the spices and add tang.
- 2 tomatoes, sliced: Fresh burst of juiciness and color.
- Sumac onions: Must-have tangy topping with vibrant color and zing.
- ¼ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped: Adds freshness and herbaceous aroma.
- Air-fryer chips or freezer fries: Perfect crunchy sidekick to complete this plate.
- Lemon wedges: To squeeze over everything, awakening and brightening the flavors.
How to Make Gyros Smashed Tacos with Tzatziki and Sumac Onions Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture
Grab a large bowl and add the minced beef or lamb along with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, sea salt flakes, and cracked black pepper. Now, this is the fun part: use your hands to mix everything thoroughly so that every bit of meat is seasoned evenly. Dividing the mixture into eight equal portions helps create perfectly sized taco patties later.
Step 2: Prepare the Tacos
Lay out your tortillas on a clean surface or parchment paper — this keeps your workspace tidy and makes it easier to work. Place each meat portion right in the center of its tortilla and press down firmly, using your fingers to spread and flatten the meat evenly all the way to the edges. This is what gives the tacos their signature smashed look and crispy edges.
Step 3: Cook the Tacos
Heat half the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium to high heat. Carefully place each tortilla, meat-side down, into the hot oil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until you see a beautiful golden brown crust forming and the edges crisping up. Flip the tacos and cook for an additional 30 seconds to brown the tortilla side. Repeat this in batches, adding more olive oil as needed to keep that perfect crisp. If you want to keep them warm and intensify the crispiness, pop them in a preheated oven at 120°C (250°F) for a bit. Just a heads up—using 20% fat mince keeps your meat juicy so it won’t dry out during this step.
How to Serve Gyros Smashed Tacos with Tzatziki and Sumac Onions Recipe
Garnishes
The vibrant toppings are what really bring these tacos alive. Once cooked, top each crispy taco with a generous dollop of creamy tzatziki. Add fresh tomato slices, a handful of zesty sumac onions, and sprinkle the finely chopped parsley on top for that irresistible fresh aroma and color contrast. The lemon wedges on the side are the simple but brilliant final touch—one squirt adds brightness, cutting through the richness with a splash of acidity.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with crispy air-fryer chips or your favorite freezer fries. The salty, crunchy side complements the juicy, soft meat and cool tzatziki perfectly. You could also add a simple Greek salad or roasted vegetables for a more wholesome meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a casual gathering, arrange the tacos on a large platter with all the garnishes and sides in bowls so everyone can build their own. If you want to up the wow factor, serve these smashed tacos on skewers or with edible flowers sprinkled over the top to impress your guests visually and palate-wise alike.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the cooked smashed tacos separately from the garnishes and tzatziki in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This prevents sogginess and keeps everything fresh for up to 2 days.
Freezing
You can freeze the uncooked flattened meat portions individually on a tray, then transfer them to a sealed bag for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the frying time. It’s best to keep garnishes and tzatziki fresh for serving.
Reheating
To reheat and maintain that crispy taco texture, warm the cooked tacos in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve crunch. Add fresh toppings once reheated.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef or lamb?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or turkey works fine, but keep in mind these leaner meats might require a bit more olive oil during cooking to stay juicy and may have a milder flavor compared to beef or lamb.
What is sumac and where can I find it?
Sumac is a bright red Middle Eastern spice with a tangy, lemony flavor, perfect for adding zest to onions in this recipe. You can find it at specialty spice shops, Middle Eastern markets, or online.
Is it okay to use corn tortillas instead of flour?
You could, but flour tortillas hold together better for this smashed taco style because they are more pliable and crisp up nicely without breaking.
Can I make the tzatziki from scratch?
Definitely! Homemade tzatziki made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, and olive oil will utterly transform this dish and is surprisingly simple to prepare.
How spicy is this dish? Can I add heat?
The recipe has mild warmth from the cumin and black pepper but isn’t spicy by default. Feel free to add chili flakes or harissa to the meat mixture if you enjoy a bit of heat.
Final Thoughts
Gyros Smashed Tacos with Tzatziki and Sumac Onions Recipe is one of those mouthwatering dishes that will have your friends asking for seconds and friends admiring your cooking skills. It’s a fun twist on traditional flavors with a vibrant, textural contrast that is hard to beat. I can’t recommend this recipe enough if you want a creative, crowd-pleasing meal that’s full of flavor and personality. Give it a go and prepare to fall in love with every delicious bite!
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Gyros Smashed Tacos with Tzatziki and Sumac Onions Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 tacos)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
Gyros Smashed Tacos combine the savory flavors of Greek gyros with the crispy texture of tacos, featuring spiced ground beef or lamb pressed thin on mini flour tortillas and pan-fried to golden perfection. Topped with creamy tzatziki, fresh tomatoes, sumac onions, parsley, and served with crispy fries and lemon wedges, this dish is a delightful fusion perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) regular (20% fat) minced (ground) beef or lamb
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Tacos & Toppings
- 8 mini flour tortillas (15 cm/6 inches)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- The BEST Tzatziki (prepared separately)
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- Sumac Onions (prepared separately)
- ¼ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- Air-fryer Chips (Fries) or freezer chips, cooked as preferred
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the meat mixture: In a large bowl, combine the minced beef or lamb with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, ground cumin, sweet paprika, sea salt flakes, and freshly cracked black pepper. Use your hands to mix thoroughly ensuring the spices are evenly distributed. Divide the mixture into eight equal portions.
- Prepare the tacos: On a flat surface, lay out the mini flour tortillas. Place one portion of the spiced meat mixture in the center of each tortilla. Press down firmly and evenly with your fingers, spreading the meat toward the edges of the tortilla to create a thin, even layer.
- Cook the tacos: Heat half of the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the tortillas meat-side down in the pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until the meat is browned and the tortilla edge is crispy. Flip the tacos and cook the other side for about 30 seconds until golden. Repeat this process in batches using the remaining olive oil. Keep cooked tacos warm in a low oven set to 120°C (250°F) until ready to serve. Optionally, brush or spray the tops lightly with olive oil before warming to enhance crispiness.
- Assemble and serve: Top each crispy taco with a dollop of tzatziki, sliced tomatoes, sumac onions, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. Add a few air-fryer chips or fries on top or on the side, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the tacos.
Notes
- Use 20% fat minced meat to ensure the tacos remain juicy and flavorful during cooking and warming.
- Sumac onions are made by soaking thinly sliced onions in lemon juice or vinegar with a sprinkle of sumac spice, adding a tangy crunch.
- The tzatziki used should be thick and creamy to complement the spicy meat.
- Keeping tacos warm in the oven helps further crisp the tortilla edges without drying out the meat.
- Mini flour tortillas (6 inches) work best for this recipe; corn tortillas can be substituted but may alter texture and flavor.
