Tempeh Gyros with Tofu Tzatziki (and Lemon-Dill Roasted Potatoes)

Tempeh Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce An Unrefined Vegan

Nearly across the street from my first apartment in DC in Dupont Circle was a small convenience store and cafe that sold, among other things, gyros.  The most delicious, juicy, yogurt-y gyros.  There must have been some kind of addictive ingredient in them.  I believe this because I absolutely had to have one at least once a week – and I dreamed about them every other day of the week.  Wrapped in foil, loaded with tomatoes, red onion slices and dripping with creamy, tangy tzatziki, I snarfed them down with barely a breath between bites.  Moving away was the only cure.

Happily I can have the same experience at home, minus the animal fat, the strange mish-mash of meat-ish substances and the nagging worry about how long that conical slab has been slowly rotating on its spit.  It’s called tempeh.  And lots of garlic.

Tempeh Gyros with Tofu Tzatziki
Serves 4
No mishmash of mystery meat here. Just wholesome tempeh full of tangy, garlicky flavor and loaded with cooling dairy-free tzatziki. Add a side of lemon-dill potatoes and dinner is served!
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Total Time
24 hr
Total Time
24 hr
390 calories
53 g
0 g
12 g
19 g
3 g
231 g
1158 g
2 g
0 g
8 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
231g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 390
Calories from Fat 105
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 12g
19%
Saturated Fat 3g
13%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 1158mg
48%
Total Carbohydrates 53g
18%
Dietary Fiber 4g
16%
Sugars 2g
Protein 19g
Vitamin A
1%
Vitamin C
24%
Calcium
14%
Iron
30%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Tempeh Marinade
  1. 8 ounces tempeh, sliced ~1/4" thick
  2. 2 cloves garlic, minced
  3. 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  4. 1 tsp. dried onion flakes
  5. 1 tsp. salt
  6. 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  7. 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
  8. 1 tsp. dried thyme
  9. 4 Tbsp. vegetable broth
  10. 2 Tbsp. liquid aminos
  11. 1 tsp. rice wine or white wine vinegar
  12. juice of 1/2 a lemon
  13. 4 Whole Wheat Chipotle Tortillas or Whole Wheat Pitas
Tofu Tzatziki
  1. 1 1/4 cup silken tofu
  2. 1/2 medium-sized cucumber, peeled, deseeded and chopped
  3. 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
  4. 1 clove garlic
  5. 1/4 tsp. salt
  6. 1/2 tsp. dill weed
  7. 1/4 tsp. mustard powder
  8. 1 tsp. dried onion flakes
  9. 1 Tbsp. vegetable broth
  10. 1 tsp. rice wine or white wine vinegar
  11. juice of 1/2 a lemon
Instructions
  1. Combine all of the ingredients for the marinade (except for the tempeh) in a shallow dish and whisk to combine.  Add the tempeh slices and marinate for a couple of hours or overnight, turning the pieces of tempeh now and again.
  2. To make the tzatziki, combine all of the ingredients (except for the cucumber) in a food processor and process until smooth.  Pour the mixture into a container or bowl, and stir in the diced cucumber.  Store in the refrigerator to marinate for a couple of hours.
  3. When ready to eat, take the tzatziki out of the refrigerator to take off the chill.  Wrap the tortillas or pitas in foil and gently warm in the oven.
  4. To make the gyros, heat a skillet and add a splash or two of vegetable broth.  Brown the tempeh on both sides, adding a little more broth or water as necessary.  Now, get to work assembling your gyros.  Pile all of the goodies on to the tortillas/pitas and add chopped tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, parsley - it all sounds good!
beta
calories
390
fat
12g
protein
19g
carbs
53g
more
an unrefined vegan http://www.anunrefinedvegan.com/

Tempeh Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce An Unrefined Vegan

Tempeh Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce An Unrefined Vegan

Lemon-Dill Potatoes
Serves 4
The perfect accompaniment to tempeh gyros!
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
40 min
175 calories
40 g
0 g
0 g
5 g
0 g
282 g
322 g
3 g
0 g
0 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
282g
Servings
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 175
Calories from Fat 4
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g
1%
Saturated Fat 0g
1%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 322mg
13%
Total Carbohydrates 40g
13%
Dietary Fiber 5g
19%
Sugars 3g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A
1%
Vitamin C
50%
Calcium
4%
Iron
11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 5-6 small red potatoes, diced
  2. 1/2 cup vegetable broth
  3. 1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  4. 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  5. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  6. juice of 1/2 a lemon
  7. 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed
  8. lemon zest from 1 lemon
  9. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425-degrees F.
  2. Combine the potatoes, vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic powder, garlic cloves and lemon juice in a baking dish. Bake, turning every now and again, until potatoes are very tender, about 30 minutes.
  3. As soon as you take them out of the oven, add the lemon zest, dill weed and salt and pepper. Let cool to room temperature and serve alongside tempeh gyros.
beta
calories
175
fat
0g
protein
5g
carbs
40g
more
an unrefined vegan http://www.anunrefinedvegan.com/
Lemon Garlic Dill Potatoes

 

 

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33 thoughts on “Tempeh Gyros with Tofu Tzatziki (and Lemon-Dill Roasted Potatoes)

  1. My Plant Based Family

    I’ve never had a Gyro (I know I’m sheltered) but this looks and sound great. Ann I think you need to do a cross country tour to cook for all of us!

    Reply
  2. Barb

    I love tempeh when other people make it, but I haven’t had a ton of luck with it myself. I’m going to give this recipe a try, see if I can break my streak. Those potatoes look amazing too!

    Reply
    1. Connie Fletcher

      Barb, I can’t believe you haven’t made delish tempeh…really…I mean after that Butternut Mac and Cheeze??? I don’t believe you don’t make everything wonderfully!

      Reply
  3. keepinitkind

    Those look delicious! I’ve never had an actual gyro, so I’ve never felt the draw, but these look like they need to be tried. Yet another one of your recipes to put on my list of things to try!

    Reply
  4. Veggiewitch

    My youngest Elfling is beside me, and she said: “Oh yum! Those look so good!” She is drooling with me over this gorgeous post. ♥

    Reply
  5. trueindigo

    Greek flavors are the best! I think this would be so satisfying on every level; hearty, flavorful and pleasing to the eye.

    Reply
  6. Gabby @ the veggie nook

    I’m drooling over here! Greek flavours are amazing! I want to come over for dinner 😉

    Reply
  7. Shira

    Looks seriously yummy! Love the story about the convenience store – something about food hankerings from the past :) I almost bought my kids a deep and delicious frozen cake tonight for the same nostalgic reasons – resisted in the end though!
    Looks so good today Ann! xo!

    Reply
  8. Brittany

    I would bet money that your version tasted 10 times better than the store version. This looks amazing. Those potatoes..ohhh those potatoes.

    Reply
  9. d'liteful cravings

    I absolutely love Tempeh!! I could eat it for the rest of my life!!! Gorgeous creation!! Looking forward to more!

    Reply
  10. Lou

    I’m still trying to convince my other half that tempeh is delicious… maybe this is the dish to do it? mmmm lemon + dill are such a great combo :)

    Reply
  11. thingsmybellylikes

    I feel the same way about falafel. Can’t. Get. Enough.

    Your photos are beautiful – I wish I could reach into the screen and eat it NOW.

    Reply
  12. Richgail Enriquez

    OMG that looks like the killer combo! I have to buy tempeh…it’s something I haven’t incorporated to my cooking yet. I’m making this meal tonight!

    Reply
  13. Cass @foodmyfriend

    Yummy yummy yummy!! I love tempeh! This looks amazing. it’s been way too long since I’ve had it.

    Reply
  14. bar

    You’re hitting up my Greek side! I am so stoked you made a vegan tzatziki – I am learning so much about how to make this vegan thing work from you!

    Reply
  15. Alex Caspero MA,RD (@delishknowledge)

    I have never had a vegan gyro! So excited to try it! I’ve only had a gyro once in my life and remember being grossed out that they carved the meat from a pole in front of me. Funny how I still ate it… now that I’m a bit more aware, I would love to try out a kind version!

    Reply
    1. An Unrefined Vegan

      Yeah, best not to think too much about the origins/content of gyro meat. There was a time long ago when I loved them, but oooh – very scary. On the other hand, tempeh…sigh…delicious.

      Reply

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