Beef and Turkey Greek Gyro Tacos

Greek-inspired meatballs on tortillas "Greek Gyro Tacos"

I made up these meatballs in advance and froze them in their raw state.  A day or two before I wanted to make this meal, I let the meatballs defrost in the refrigerator.  While the oven preheated and the meatballs baked, I made up a triple batch of Tzatziki (garlicky yogurt cucumber sauce)... a double batch would have been enough but I'd rather have too much sauce than too little. We also like to dip carrot and celery sticks in the Tzatziki.  My husband likes beef; I prefer turkey... that's why I made both beef and turkey meatballs.  We enjoyed the leftovers!

Beef Meatballs for Gyros
1 pound lean hamburger
1 egg
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspooon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
several grinds of black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Shape into meatballs (aim for a small meatball somewhere between the size of a walnut or a golf ball).  Place meatballs in a roasting pan which has been generously sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Roast meatballs in the oven (preheated to 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until cooked through.

Turkey Meatballs for Gyros
1 pound gound turkey (85% lean)
1/2 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, finely diced
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspooon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon salt
several grinds of black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Shape into meatballs (aim for a small meatball somewhere between the size of a walnut or a golf ball). Place meatballs in a roasting pan which has been generously sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Roast meatballs in the oven (preheated to 400 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until cooked through.

For the Gyro Tacos:

• Make yogurt cucumber sauce (tzatziki).  Recipe HERE (I made a triple batch but a double batch would be enough for two pounds of meatballs).
• You'll also need flour tortillas or try a healthier option such as La Tortilla Factory tortillas (small tortillas are just 50 calories each).
• Sliced or diced red onion
• Sliced of diced English cucumber (I left the skin on)
• Sliced or diced Roma tomatoes

We serve this meal family style.  Warm tortillas on both sides in a dry skillet or on a griddle pan.
Cut meatballs into smaller bite-sized bits (if desired).  Assemble tacos by layering meatballs, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and a generous amount of yogurt cucumber sauce in the tortillas. Fold up like a taco and enjoy!