Greek Salmon Souvlaki Gyros with Tzatziki
You guys,
Greek food is so good, I love it.
I mean really, the Greeks know how to eat.
Fresh tomatoes, salty olives, pita bread, artichokes, greek yogurt.
Feta!
Yeah, I think feta is my very favorite.
The only food that is used in a lot of greek cooking that I do not like is red onions. Which is why you rarely see them in any of my recipes. I don’t hate them, I just prefer not to use them. Especially raw, but trust me I would not, not eat say… guacamole just because it had red onions in it.
They’re just not my favorite.
Well, my time here in Oregon is already coming to end.
I am finally headed home on Thursday and could not be more excited. I miss the Colorado mountains, my kitchen and the luxury of having a grocery store five minutes away.
Oh yeah, I think I am most excited about that last part. Having a grocery store forty-five plus minutes away is not fun. It’s even way worse when you just walk in the door from driving the forty-five minutes there and forty-five minutes back and then realize you forgot the artichokes, blue cheese and bacon.
All essentials, obviously.
This happened every single time. Seriously, every single trip. Ugh.
Really, wasn’t it just yesterday I was complaining to you guys about coming here. Time is flying.
FLYING!
How is it already August and how is it that school is starting in less than three weeks for my siblings?! Can we please just hit the slow mo button now – please!
Pretty please with a cherry on top?
Anyway, these gyros happened for one reason.
I was up to my ears in fresh, gorgeous salmon. Oregon is apparently booming with the prettiest wild caught pink salmon I have ever seen. It was too pretty not to buy.
So I made some greek salmon gyros.
Some really good, really easy gyros that are the perfect fresh summertime dinner. Tons of fresh herbs, lemon, tomatoes, olives, peppers and a rather heavy amount of feta cheese.
Oh and the pitas? You have to make them yourself. There is nothing better than this pita recipe. Nothing. It is SO good.
This whole meal is so good.
And the leftovers make a pretty darn good salad. Oh, and if you do the salad? Make sure you add some pita chips. Chips and salad work. Really well!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Greek Salmon Souvlaki Gyros with Tzatziki
By halfbakedharvest
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: gyro, salmon
Some really good, really easy gyros that are the perfect fresh summertime dinner. Tons of fresh herbs, lemon, tomatoes, olives, peppers and a rather heavy amount of feta cheese.
Ingredients
Tzatziki
- 16 ounces plain greek yogurt I used full fat
- 1/2 hothouse cucumber or 1 regular cucumber peeled and seeded and diced small
- 2-3 cloves garlic grated (or finely minced)
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- half a fresh lemon juiced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Greek Salmon Souvlaki
- 1 pound fresh salmon skin removed and diced into chunks
- 1 red pepper cut into chunks
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika or paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Tapenade (optional)
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1 pepperoncini diced (optional)
For Assembling
- 6-8 [pitas homemade | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/] or store bought, warmed
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
Instructions
-
To prepare the tzatziki sauce pour any liquid off the surface of the greek yogurt. (I find it is best to use full fat greek yogurt for this, but 2% works ok as well. You want the yogurt to be thick, so if your greek yogurt seems thin strain it through a fine mesh strainer). Mix together the greek yogurt, diced cucumber, garlic, white wine vinegar, dill, oregano, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle with olive oil. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
-
In a medium sized bowl combine the lemon juice, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, smoked paprikia, dill, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the salmon and toss well, making sure the salmon is completely coated in the seasonings.
-
Heat your grill to medium high heat.
-
Alternate threading the salmon and the red pepper chunks on the skewers. I used two long skewers, but whatever size you have will work fine. Using a pair of tongs, carefully transfer the salmon skewers to the preheated grill and grill for about 3 minutes on each side or until the salmon is cooked to your desired doneness. Remove the salmon skewers from the grill and let rest for about 5 minutes to let the salmon just continue to cook.
-
While the salmon rest make the tapenade, dice the olives and mix in a small bowl with the garlic, pepperoncini and parsley.
-
To assemble the pitas, heat pitas (I just place them directly on the stove for 20 seconds on each side or in the microwave for 20 seconds). Spread a layer of tzatziki down the middle of each pita, top with 4 or 5 salmon and red pepper chunks. Add the tapenade, tomatoes and finish with a generous amount of feta cheese.
Recipe Notes
*Just a heads up. If using wooded skewers soak them in water for at least an hour. Or if you do not have skewers leave the salmon whole and rub the spice mixture over the salmon and either grill or sear on the stove whole. Then cut the salmon into chunks or shred. Saute or grill the red pepper separately.* *Tzatziki adapted from [here | https://dev.halfbakedharvest.com/saucy-chicken-gyros/].
Is it dinner time yet?!?
Currently, feta is one of my favs too! A little seems to go such a long way!
Yes, this year needs to slow down – but you know, time seems to fly when we are having fun 🙂
Amazing, fun gyros Tieghan!
Thank you!
As soon as I pulled up your post I did a double take – it’s August 5th already?? Crazy.
I’ve never made gyros at home but yours look so tempting I may have to dry. That pita bread, oh man…
So crazy, right!?!
Thanks Sarah!
I love Tzatziki sauce. I haven’t tried making it at home though. The salmon looks great.
Thank so much, Kristi! You have to try homemade Tzatziki, it is so good!
You’re speakin’ my language here. I love this as a dinner idea for my family!
Thank you so much, Lori! You are so lucky your son will even go near salmon! My brothers and even mom mom cringe at the site of any seafood!
I love greek food too! These sound fantastic!
Thank you so much, Sophie!
These look incredible! And, I am a sucker for red onions…sorry! 🙂 I love them!
Haha, no need to be sorry!
Thanks Jennifer!
I am obsessed with greek food!! And these salmon has my tummy growling!
Thank you so much, Steph!!
Love this idea Tieghan ~ great healthier rendition of a favorite Greek meal!
Thank you, Jeanette!
These are awesome Tieghan!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Claire!
You are amazing, that is all.
Awe, thank you so much!! That means the world to me, Jen!
“Fresh tomatoes, salty olives, pita bread” you are talking my language sister! Have me swooning over here, wonderful meal!
Thank you so much, Pamela!
Feta and salmon are two of my favorite things. Mixed with tomatos and pita is just speaking my love language. This entire dish is just incredible!
Thank you so much, Faith!
You had me at souvlaki. Seriously, just mention the words feta, tzatziki, and anything in a pita and I’m pretty much sold. I love the idea of changing it up with salmon! You are so creative, love it.
I can imagine this being really delicious with a tandoori marinade as well!
A tandoori marinade sounds so good!! First I NEED to find some tandoori paste. I have been looking forever and am finally just going to order it from amazon!
Thanks so much Laura!
Blimey these look great, only just had lunch and now I’m hungry again!
Thank you so much, Christina!
I love greek food – and if it has tzatziki sauce, I’m going to dive right in mouth first!
Thanks Megan! Greek food in my new obsession these days!
Do what? Salmon gyros?? Don’t mind if I do!! I love Greek food too and adore your spin on gyros – so tasty!
Thank you so much, Julia! Oh and I am loving your gorgeous picks of Tahoe on instagram! So pretty!
The Greeks really do know how to eat! I absolutely love Mediterranean food and those gyros look simply amazing. The fresh salmon and tzatziki sauce are perfect together. Yum!
They really do! Thanks Chelsea!
What a gorgeous recipe – happy summer!
Thank you!
Greek food really is the best! And holy cow, these gyros look dangerously good!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
This stuff looks amazing, I’m in love with Greek food, it couldn’t be better: gyros, tzatziki, hummus, greek yogurt, spanakopita, feta, olives… everything’s fantastic, I wish I lived there ;–)
Also I have a major obssesion with feta cheese… I’d put that stuff in like everything, it’s so darn good.
I love love love this recipe, thanks for posting! x
Oh, I wish I lived there too!
Thank you!
I love how your food always looks so fresh and healthy and utterly scrumptious!
Thank you so much!!
Oh this looks so wonderful! I love gyros so I am going to have to try this really soon!!! Beautiful!!!
Thank you so much, Robyn!
Oh my gosh, these look absolutely beautiful! I love homemade Tzatziki! That Salmon looks awesome. I love Greek food too. 🙂
Thank you so much, Crystal!
Sounds delicious. . .can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Charmaine!
Love these and LOVE the new background you’ve been using!
Thank you so much, Mimi!!
I am in LOVE!!! Greek is da’bomb!!!
Thanks Lauren!
This dish looks ridiculous. Like…I want this right now. RIGHT now. I love greek food and love salmon and feta and tazatziki sauce! Best combo. I’m totally making this tonite for dinner. How hard are those pitas to make? Cause I suck at baking soooo…
Have you ever tried pickled red onions? They’re the bomb!
Oh man, you have to try the pitas! I promise they are so easy and I have had great feedback on them!! As for the pickled onions, nope I have not tried those! Thinking I need to though!
Thanks Maria, hope you love these!
I am absolutely obsessed with Greek meals in the summer, but strangely they don’t make it onto my blog enough. Must be because I devour them before I can get a good photo, haha! These gyros look mouthwatering, Tieghan! Amazing photos, too.
Thank you so much, Georgia! I totally understanding not having time to get a good photo because all you want to do is eat! Luckily I took these photos in the morning, so it was a little easier not to scarf them right then and there. LOL!
This recipe looks too good to be true. Thank you SO much. I really needed something like this this week!!
Thank you, Todd!
Greek food is the best. I adore tzaziki and combined with SALMON and pita?! Yes, bacon is eseential, but feta is up there, too!
Thanks so much, Mary!
I love everything about Greece/Greek 🙂 And you have one more follower here, sweetheart who fell in love with your exotic recipes and awesome photography just a while ago 🙂
Awe, thank you so much!! I am so happy to have you as a new follower!
Greek food is totally fabulous and throwing salmon in a gyro is just genius!
Thank you so much, Julie! I am on a great
What? 45 minutes drive from the nearest market? I can’t imagine that cos I just have bad memories and always forget things here and there….especially on my grocery list as well. Glad you’re going back to a place where the market is only 5 minutes away. 😉
On a lighter note, these Greek Salmon Souvlaki Gyros with Tzatziki sound wonderful. It will definitely make me forget all the long drive and frustration of forgetting things….that is, if I remember to get all the ingredient to make this. LOL….good that my market is only 15 minutes away. 😉 Thanks for sharing this yummy recipe.
Haha! Thank you so much, Amy! I am very excited to get home!
I’m totally in love with Greek food too, I think it may be one of my favorites! And I even like the red onions, but mainly if they’re thinly sliced 🙂 this looks soo delicious, I usually opt for lamb when I make Greek food, but you’ve totally convinced me that I need this in my life!
Thanks so much, Yvonne!
Genuis! I’ve never seen a gyro with salmon before but I am loving it!
Thank you so much!
Looks so yummy and healthy! Thanks for sharing! x
Thanks Trisha!
Mmmm, salmon gyros sound delicious! I’ve never thought to make them with something other than lamb, beef, or chicken. What a great idea!
Thank you, Melanie! The salmon worked so well!
Love the sound of salmon souvlaki gyros!
Thanks so much, Kevin! They were so good!! I love greek food!
This sounds wonderful but I’m so confused by the recipe. In step one it says to rub the salmon with a spice mixture and grill it, then in step three it says to combine the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, dill, etc., toss with the salmon, thread on skewers and grill. You aren’t grilling the salmon twice are you? What is the first rub you are using on the salmon?
Sorry about the confusion! That first step was actually just a side note saying that if you do not have skewers you can grill or sear the salmon whole and chop into chunks. It was not actually a step in the recipe.
I have fixed the recipe to make it less confusing and I hope it helps! Let me know if have any more problems and or questions with it!! Hope you love these and thanks for giving them a try!
Thanks for clearing that up. I’ve got the marinade mixed up ready for the salmon and the tatziki made except for the cucumber which I’ll add 30 minutes before serving so it doesn’t get watery. I can’t wait to serve this for dinner tomorrow! It sounds wonderful!
Hope you loved these!! Let me know what you thought and thanks for giving them a try!
We loved them! I did tweak the recipe a little bit. I only made half the tzatziki sauce and used half ricotta and half Greek yogurt to make sure it wouldn’t get too thin. I blended the sauce ingredients except for the cucumber until smooth then added the cucumber about an hour before serving it. I did pan fry the salmon and red pepper instead of grilling. I coated both in the marinade for about 45 minutes before cooking in a non-stick skillet.
My daughter requested the recipe and my boyfriend commented several times about how good it was!
Thank you for this excellent recipe!
Oh yeah! So happy you love these and thanks for making them!
These look outrageous! I never thought of putting salmon in a gyro. Yum!
Thank you so much, Ashley!
Hi! Great Recipe! I am from Greece and I never think about the idea for salmon on PITA SOUVLAKI! I will try this! Good Job!
Another great recipe! I made this for dinner tonight and it was AMAZING! My husband said, “This has such a great balance of flavors.” (He’s been watching a lot of food network 🙂 I made the homemade pitas and they just took the dish over the top! I’m so glad I found the recipe for them, I dont think I’ll buy the store bought kind again, we are hooked!!
YA!! So happy you loved this!! Thanks Stephanie!
How to make Souvlaki Salmon
I am not a salmon eater, so revised this wonderful recipe with sirloin steak. I absolutely thought it was one of the best recipes I had ever experimented with. Then I tried it with chicken breast, just as good. I still have to try it with pork loin. also shrimp, which I plan to do tomorrow. Give it a try, all the ingredients the same, just substituting the salmon.
Wow so awesome! I am really glad you are loving this so much Linda, thank you!!
oh wow HOW delicious! i’m gonna try this.
would hummus be good on there too?
Hi! Yes, hummus will be so delicious! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Tieghan!!! These were SO DELICIOUS! Probably one of the most flavorful dishes I’ve made in a long time! Thank you for sharing this recipe and please continue to do what you do. 🙂
A huge fan,
bridgit
Thank you so much Bridgit!! I am really glad this turned out so well for you!! xTieghan
This was delicious! Thank you! The flavors come together very well. I enjoy having so many salmon recipes to choose from. This one is a keeper as it is delicious, quick and easy!
Amazing! Thank you so much Stephanie! xTieghan
Hello:
We don’t have a grill currently (I know!). Is there another way to cook the salmon?
Thank you!
Hey Dee,
You can use a skillet on the stove top. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan