How many calories in a traditional Greek gyro?

October 30, 2025 •

5 min read

According to nutrition data, a typical lamb gyro can contain around 700 calories or more, but the exact number depends heavily on the ingredients and portion size. A traditional Greek gyro is a beloved street food, but its nutritional profile can vary dramatically depending on the type of meat, sauce, and toppings used. Understanding the calorie count is key for anyone tracking their intake, and the specific breakdown can be quite revealing.

Quick Summary

A traditional Greek gyro's calorie count varies significantly based on its core components. This guide details the calorie breakdown by ingredient, compares different protein options, offers healthier substitutions, and explains how restaurant variations impact the total nutritional value.

Key Points

High-Calorie Lamb: A traditional lamb gyro can contain over 700 calories, with the lamb meat contributing significantly to this total.
Leaner Chicken Option: Switching to chicken can reduce the total calorie count by more than 100 calories per serving.
Hidden Calories in Sauce: While tzatziki is not high in calories per serving, excess sauce or high-fat versions can increase the final count.
Restaurant Variance: Portion size, cooking methods, and extra toppings (like fries or extra feta) can cause a restaurant gyro's calorie count to differ from homemade estimates.
Healthier Alternatives: For a lower-calorie meal, consider a chicken gyro, a gyro bowl without the pita, or making your own with lean protein and low-fat tzatziki.
Pita Adds Significant Carbs: The pita bread is a major source of calories, and removing it (as in a gyro bowl) is a simple way to reduce the calorie and carb intake.
Vegetables are low-cal fillers: Fresh vegetables like tomato and onion add minimal calories while boosting flavor and nutrients.

The Calorie Breakdown of a Traditional Lamb Gyro

To get a clear picture of how many calories in a traditional Greek gyro, it's essential to look at each component individually. A typical street-style lamb gyro consists of a warm pita bread, thinly sliced meat, cool tzatziki sauce, and fresh vegetables. Each of these ingredients contributes to the total calorie count in different ways.

Pita Bread: The foundation of the gyro, a standard pita wrap can contribute approximately 250 calories. This is a significant portion of the total and can fluctuate based on the size and type of bread used.
Lamb Meat: For a traditional gyro, lamb is the classic choice. About 6 ounces of lamb meat can add roughly 438 calories due to its fat content. The preparation method, such as whether it is cooked on a vertical rotisserie (spit), can also affect the final calorie count.
Tzatziki Sauce: A staple of Greek cuisine, tzatziki is a creamy sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, and garlic. While delicious, the portion size is crucial. A standard two-tablespoon serving adds about 19 calories. However, extra helpings or a high-fat yogurt base can quickly increase this number.
Vegetables: Fresh toppings like tomato and onion are relatively low in calories, adding only a handful of calories to the overall count. For example, a quarter of a tomato adds about 5 calories, and a quarter of a medium onion adds around 12 calories.

The Calculation for a Standard Gyro

By totaling these figures, you can estimate the calories in a traditional Greek gyro. For a lamb gyro with the standard components, the sum looks something like this:

Pita: ~250 calories
Lamb Meat: ~438 calories
Tzatziki Sauce: ~19 calories
Vegetables (Tomato and Onion): ~17 calories
Total Estimate: ~724 calories

This is a useful benchmark, but it's important to remember that this number is an estimate. Portion sizes and cooking methods can cause the calorie count to shift.

Comparison: Lamb vs. Chicken Gyros

While lamb is traditional, many eateries offer alternative protein options, with chicken being a popular choice. The type of meat has a substantial impact on the total calories.


Feature	Traditional Lamb Gyro	Chicken Gyro	Calorie Comparison
Meat Type	Lamb	Chicken breast or thigh	Chicken is typically leaner than lamb.
Meat Calories (6 oz)	~438 calories	~304 calories	Chicken offers a significant calorie saving.
Total Gyro Calories	~724 calories	~590 calories (with 6oz chicken)	The chicken gyro is a lighter option.
Fat Content	Higher	Lower	Less saturated fat in chicken breast.
Tzatziki & Veggies	Standard	Standard	These components are consistent unless a low-fat sauce is used.

Switching from lamb to chicken is one of the most effective ways to lower the calorie content of a gyro without sacrificing flavor. A chicken gyro offers a substantial meal with significantly fewer calories and less fat.

How Restaurant Gyros Affect Calorie Count

When you buy a gyro from a restaurant or food stall, the calorie count can vary even more. Restaurant gyros are often larger and contain more ingredients than a homemade version.

Here are some factors that influence the final count:

Extra Sauce: Many places are heavy-handed with the tzatziki sauce, and often it's not made with low-fat yogurt. Additional sauce layers on extra calories.
Added Ingredients: Some eateries include a side of fries, feta cheese, or other toppings directly inside the wrap, which adds considerably to the calorie load.
Cooking Method: The meat's fat content can vary based on the cooking process. Some rotisserie meats can be fattier than others.
Portion Size: The average restaurant portion can be much larger than a standard 6-ounce serving, inflating the final calorie count.

Making Your Gyro a Healthier Meal

If you love gyros but are watching your calorie intake, there are several ways to enjoy them guilt-free. Making simple substitutions can dramatically decrease the total calorie count while still providing a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Here are some tips for a healthier gyro:

Opt for Chicken: As the comparison table shows, swapping out lamb for grilled chicken breast can save over 100 calories per serving.
Lighten the Sauce: Use a low-fat Greek yogurt to prepare a lighter tzatziki sauce. You can also ask for less sauce when ordering out.
Load Up on Veggies: Add extra vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce to increase the volume and nutrient density without adding many calories.
Skip the Pita: For the lowest-calorie option, skip the bread and turn your gyro into a bowl or salad. This is an easy way to save hundreds of calories while enjoying all the other delicious components.
Watch the Toppings: Avoid adding calorie-dense extras like french fries or too much feta cheese inside the wrap. Sprinkle a little feta for flavor rather than loading it on.

By being mindful of these variables, you can enjoy a delicious Greek gyro that fits your dietary goals. The key is understanding where the calories come from and making informed choices about your ingredients.

Conclusion

Understanding how many calories in a traditional Greek gyro involves breaking down its components. A typical lamb gyro contains over 700 calories, with the meat and pita bread being the largest contributors. By choosing a leaner protein like chicken and making simple substitutions like low-fat tzatziki or turning it into a gyro bowl, you can significantly reduce the calorie count. Regardless of your dietary goals, enjoying this classic dish is entirely possible by making a few simple, health-conscious adjustments.

Summary of Key Takeaways

Lamb Gyros are higher in calories: A typical lamb gyro can exceed 700 calories, primarily due to the fatty meat and pita bread.
Chicken is a leaner choice: A chicken gyro can lower the total calorie count by over 100 calories, making it a healthier protein alternative.
Tzatziki sauce impact: While seemingly low in calories, excessive portions or high-fat yogurt in tzatziki can increase the overall count.
Restaurant portions vary: Calories can fluctuate widely depending on portion sizes, extra sauces, and additional toppings like fries at different establishments.
Healthier substitutions exist: Reduce calories by using lean chicken, low-fat yogurt, extra veggies, or by serving the ingredients in a bowl or lettuce wrap instead of a pita.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average calorie count for a traditional lamb gyro is approximately 700-750 calories, though this can vary based on portion size, specific ingredients, and cooking methods.

Yes, a chicken gyro is typically a healthier option because chicken breast is leaner than lamb meat. A chicken gyro can have over 100 fewer calories than a lamb gyro.

A standard 2-tablespoon serving of tzatziki sauce contains about 19 calories. However, a generous portion from a restaurant could be higher, and using a low-fat yogurt base can reduce this number.

Yes, you can easily make a lower-calorie gyro at home by using grilled chicken breast, a low-fat Greek yogurt for the tzatziki, and opting for a whole wheat pita or no pita at all.

Yes, restaurant-prepared gyros often have varying calorie counts due to differences in portion size, the amount of meat and sauce used, and whether additional items like fries or feta are included.

The pita bread in a typical gyro contributes a substantial portion of the total calories, approximately 250 calories.

A gyro bowl is a deconstructed version of a gyro, served without the pita bread, usually over a bed of rice or salad greens. By removing the pita, it can save hundreds of calories, making it a lower-carb and lower-calorie alternative.