Vegetarian (Jackfruit) Greek Gyro

Jackfruit is becoming my favorite new ingredient to experiment with. I think its because it confuses my brain so much. It's fruit but it totally looks and tastes like meat. 

Have you tried it yet? You really need to. If we can get it here in Lillooet then I know you can find it where you are. We use the Upton's Natural pre-cut jackfruit (plain) for this recipe. 

These gyros are vegetarian but could be made vegan with a couple of substitutes. We found the original version of this recipe over at Lazy Cat Kitchen (click HERE) but made a few switches of our own to suit what we had on hand. Click over to Lazy Cat Kitchen for how to completely veganize the recipe. 

Vegetarian (Jackfruit) Greek Gyro

Ingredients

Jackfruit "Meat"

3 Tbsp oil

1 medium purple onion, diced

5 cloves garlic, finely diced

1/2 tsp cumin

2 tsp Greek seasoning

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 Tbsp tomato paste

2 boxes of shredded jackfruit (400 gr/14 oz total)

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 Tbsp maple syrup

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

Remaining Ingredients

6 large Greek pitas

1/2 cup tzatziki 

6 romaine lettuce leaves

1 cucumber, sliced

1 small purple onion, sliced

cherry tomatoes, quartered 

1/3 bag of McCain's Rosemary & Garlic Superfries 

Directions

Prepare the jackfruit "meat": in a large frying pan heat the oil over medium heat. When sizzling, add in the onions. Cook and stir until onions are translucent and then add in garlic. Cook and stir another few minutes, until garlic is fragrant. 

Add in the spices (cumin, Greek seasoning, chili powder, and black pepper). Fry gently for a minute until well combined. Now stir in the tomato paste. 

Next add in the jackfruit, soy sauce, maple syrup, and vinegar. 

Simmer the mixture gently for 10 minutes, using your flipper to break up the jackfruit into smaller pieces. After 10 minutes, remove from heat and let cool. 

Chill, covered, in fridge until ready to prepare gyros. 

**NOTE - to this stage can be done up to 2 days ahead of time. The longer the mixture sits the stronger the flavors are. ** 

When ready to assemble: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spread the jackfruit mixture on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, stirring once at the halfway point. 

**NOTE - I spread the jackfruit on half of the cookie sheet and place the McCain's Rosemary & Garlic Superfries on the other half so they are ready at the same time.** 

Place a Greek pita on piece of parchment paper. Spread a little tzatziki on the pita. Layer on lettuce, cucumber, onion, and tomatoes. Top with a generous scoop of the jackfruit mixture, then a few of the fries.

Gently bring up the sides of the pita and wrap with the parchment paper. Top with another dollop of tzatziki.

Serve immediately. 

**NOTE - to prevent the pita from cracking when you fold it, simply microwave it for 20 seconds first.** 

You should get enough for 6 pitas. 

This. Was. Heavenly.

You cannot tell it is not meat. Seriously. You could fool the biggest carnivores out there. 

Those Greek flavors are addicting too. I used the McCain's Rosemary & Garlic fries because they totally compliment the spices in the jackfruit. Apparently fries in a gyro is a thing that happens all over the world. I like it. I'm soooo doing that with all my gyros from now on.