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    Home > Vegan Entrees

    Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)

    By Nandor Barta on 01/05/2023 - May contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure.

    Jump to Recipe Print Pin

    The best vegan gyros are, without a doubt, shredded oyster mushrooms (not cut, but torn apart). The texture and the taste are just perfect. Fill your pita pockets with the crispiest vegan gyro meat, fresh vegetables, and a homemade tzatziki sauce.

    Several pita pocket on a white serving tray stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices andwhite-green tzaztziki sauce

    Since oyster mushrooms are a fantastic vegan meat substitute, if you are looking for more recipes with this ingredient, try our vegan Philly cheesesteak, BBQ vegan pulled pork burger, vegan fried chicken, or vegan buffalo chicken wings.

    Jump to:
    • What to expect from this recipe?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving ideas
    • Equipment
    • Storing tips
    • FAQs
    • More vegan oyster mushroom recipes
    • More vegan sandwich recipes
    • Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)

    What to expect from this recipe?

    Classic gyro meat is tender but has a crispy crust. It is usually not seasoned with more than salt and black pepper. To make it vegan, we wanted to find an ingredient that could deliver on the texture.

    We love to work with oyster mushrooms. Our love for these fungi started with this vegan buffalo chicken dip recipe, where we wanted to find the best alternative to vegan shredded chicken.

    When you taste our vegan gyro meat, you can expect a firm and chewy texture and a hearty and satisfying flavor. The crispy texture of the mushrooms will give them a lovely bite and a crunchy texture. Look at the below picture. Would you have guessed that these are mushrooms and not meat? It looks amazing. I promise you, not only does it look good, it tastes good as well.

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    White serving bowl full of dark brown crispy shredded oyster mushrooms

    Ingredients

    Classic gyro meat is only seasoned with salt and black pepper. But you need more seasoning to turn these mushrooms into the perfect vegan gyros.

    • Oyster mushrooms → Not king oyster, but pearl oysters. Here is a list of where to buy them or how to grow oyster mushrooms at home.
    • Soy sauce → or use tamari to make it gluten-free
    • Olive oil
    • Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
    • Oregano
    • Ground cumin seeds
    • Sweet smoked paprika powder
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Salt
    • Black pepper

    🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    White serving bowl full of dark brown crispy shredded oyster mushrooms. Other ingredients are around in small bowls like purple onion, tomato and cucumber slices and pita bread.

    Instructions

    There are 11 ways to cook oyster mushrooms, but this time the best method which gives you the right texture and flavor is baking. Not to mention you get to make a large batch in one go.

    1. Cut the end of the stem of pearl oyster mushrooms and tear the cap into smaller shreds with your hands. If the stem is soft enough, you can shred them as well.
    2. Take a small bowl and mix the marinade (olive oil, soy sauce (or tamari), freshly squeezed lemon juice, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika powder, salt, and black pepper).
    3. Place parchment paper in a sheet pan or baking tray and spread the marinated oyster mushroom shreds in one layer. See the below picture for reference.
    4. Bake them in the oven at 425 Fahrenheit (ca. 218 °C) for 40 minutes, or until crispy. Check it after 20 minutes. Baking time largely depends on the size of the strips.
    Shredded oyster mushrooms seasoned with red green sprices on a white parchment paper inside a sheet pan about to be turned into vegan gyro meat

    Cooking tips

    • Don’t wash oyster mushrooms. Since they don’t grow in the dirt but on logs, they rarely need any cleaning. If the end of the stem feels too hard or log pieces stubbornly stick to the tip, trim it. Here is everything you need to know about preparing oyster mushrooms.
    • The size of the strips is important. Baking time depends on the size of your shredded mushroom. We have torn them into at least an inch wide in this vegan gyros recipe. If you shred them thinner, 40 minutes will likely be too much. We recommend checking at around 20 minutes to be on the safe side.
    Several pocket on a white serving tray stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices andwhite-green tzaztziki sauce

    Variations

    1. Spicy: If you prefer your oyster mushroom gyros spicy, try adding some diced jalapeños or one teaspoon of chili flakes to the spice mix.
    2. Herby: Instead of using oregano as the only green herb, you can use Greek or Mediterranean spice blends. Since they include other spices like thyme, marjoram, rosemary, and sometimes even coriander, or fennel seeds, they will give your vegan mushroom gyros a more complex and aromatic flavor.
    3. Lemony: Squeezing a bit of lemon juice on top is quite a common thing to do when it comes to Greek or Mediterranean dishes. If you like a stronger lemony flavor, go for it.
    4. Sun-dried tomato and olives: Try stirring in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes and olives for a bold and flavorful twist. They pair well with many Greek or Mediterranean dishes.

    Serving ideas

    • In pita pockets – You can serve vegan gyro meat in pita bread or wraps with fresh veggies like red onion and tomato drizzled with some homemade vegan tzatziki sauce.
    • On a plate – You can also serve it as a main dish with french fries or roasted potatoes. And use the tzatziki sauce as a dip, served in a small bowl or on top of the mushrooms.
    • As a salad – Make a vegan Greek salad, tabbouleh, or any other Mediterranean or Middle Eastern-inspired lettuce or bean salad.
    • Part of a platter board – We have this fantastic falafel platter with hummus, tzatziki, and tahini dressings, where you can substitute vegan falafel for vegan gyros. Or prepare this Mediterranean grazing board which can be even better if you add this dish.
    A pita pocket in a hand stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices and white-green tzatziki sauce

    Equipment

    • Baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Even if the mushroom marinade includes oil, it is best if you use something non-stick to bake them.
    • Cast-iron skillet. We have plenty of recipes with oyster mushrooms where we use a skillet or frying pan, like in this pan-fried oyster mushrooms recipe. They make them equally crispy, but they only have a limited capacity. If you were to make 2 servings, a skillet is enough. For more servings, we recommend using the oven.

    Storing tips

    You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days without any problem. Mushrooms may lose their crispiness as time goes by or dry out. We recommend eating them sooner rather than later.

    When you are ready to serve them, reheat them in a frying pan or skillet, instead of the microwave, to get them crispy again.

    You can store raw oyster mushrooms easily for up to a week in the refrigerator, or at room temperature for 1-2 days. For more tips, read our how to store oyster mushrooms article.

    Several pita pocket on a white serving tray stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices andwhite-green tzaztziki sauce

    FAQs

    Can you use other mushrooms?

    There are 8 types of oyster mushrooms but except for king oysters, all the others would work to make vegan gyros. King oyster mushrooms are better for vegan pulled pork. We also listed here 13 oyster mushroom substitutes which can deliver same or similar result. The best would probably be lion’s mane. If you have classic button mushrooms or portobello mushrooms, you can certainly make vegan gyros as flavor profile matches, but the texture will be quite different.

    What else can you use to make vegan gyros?

    Besides shredded pearl oyster mushrooms, you can use jackfruit, seitan, tempeh, portobello mushrooms, chickpeas or grilled tofu. All of which has pros and cons, but if you try oyster mushrooms you will experience its perfect texture.

    More vegan oyster mushroom recipes

    We have more than 30 oyster mushroom recipes from all over the world so you can pick the perfect one to try first or check out one from below:

    • A large white bowl with white rice and sticky brown battered strips on top sprinkled with sesame seeds, orange peels and chopped spring onion
      Crispy Vegan Orange Chicken (Copycat Panda Express)
    • A burger sandwich on a wooden board with white sauce, brown juicy strips and purple cabbage coleslaw. A white bowl is the remaining brown juicy mushroom slices and a wooden bowl with more coleslaw salad and french fries
      BBQ Vegan Pulled Pork Burger (Mushroom)
    • Black cast iron skillet from above with a wooden spatula and colorful chopped veggies like green peas, red bell pepper, yellow potatoes, brown mushroom, fresh parsley
      Vegan Breakfast Hash
    • Penne pasta with yellow bell pepper slices, brown mushroom shreds and spring onion rings in a creamy red sauce in a large frying pan
      Creamy Vegan Cajun Pasta with Oyster Mushroom
    • Black boardabove with crispy brown juicy flattened oyster mushroom clusters and half bok choy with charcoal stripes
      Teriyaki Oyster Mushroom Steak
    • Black cast iron skillet from above with crispy brown oyster mushroom, sliced red pepper, garlic slices and chopped fresh green herbs.
      Pan-fried Green Herb Oyster Mushroom

    More vegan sandwich recipes

    You can browse through our quick vegan meals or check out

    • Realistic Vegan Egg Salad (No Mayo!)
    • 2 bread loaves stuffed with brown mushroom shreds and melted cheese wrapped in a white paper.
      Vegan Philly Cheesesteak (Mushroom)
    • Sheet Pan Portobello Fajitas (Vegan)
    • Several quesadilla triangles filled with black beans, red pepper, avocado slices sprinkled with fresh cilantro in a black board
      Easy Hummus Quesadilla Without Cheese
    • A hand is holding one of the four rainbow coloured round-shaped rolls from above. Inside red, yellow, brown, green and white pieces.
      Copycat Chipotle Veggie Burrito
    • 3 small tortillas folded in half on parchment paper filled with mushroom shreds, corn, avocado slices, black beans drizzled with red and white sauce.
      Crispy Oyster Mushroom Tacos

    THANK YOU so much for visiting our website. Please comment below if you have tried this recipe. We LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, please don’t forget to give us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RATING. We appreciate all of our readers.  

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    Several pita pocket on a white serving tray stuffed with crispy brown shredded oyster mushroom, tomato and cucumber slices andwhite-green tzaztziki sauce

    Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)

    Nandor Barta
    The best vegan gyros are, without a doubt, shredded oyster mushrooms (not cut, but torn apart). The texture and the taste are just perfect. Fill your pita pockets with the crispiest vegan gyro meat, fresh vegetables, and a homemade tzatziki sauce.
    4.8 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Baking 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Main Course
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 408kcal

    Equipment

    • Regular parchment paper
    • Non-stick baking sheet

    Ingredients
     
     

    Vegan gyro meat

    • 18 oz Oyster mushrooms not king oyster, but pearl oysters
    • 1 + ½ tsp Soy sauce
    • 5 Tbsp Olive oil
    • 1 Tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
    • 2 tsp Oregano
    • ½ tsp Ground cumin seeds
    • ½ tsp Sweet smoked paprika powder
    • 1 tsp Garlic powder
    • 1 tsp Onion powder
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • ⅛ tsp Black pepper

    Other

    • 4 servings Vegan tzatziki sauce
    • 8 Pita bread
    • 16 Cherry tomatoes
    • ½ Purple onion
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    Instructions
     

    • Take your pearl oyster mushrooms. Cut the end of the stem off. Tear both caps and stem with your hand into shreds.
    • Take a bowl and make the marinade by mixing olive oil, soy sauce or tamari, lemon juice, oregano, cumin, paprika powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix this marinade with the oyster mushrooms.
    • Place a parchment paper in a sheet pan. Spread the shredded oyster mushrooms preferably in one layer.
    • Preheat the oven to 425 Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) and baked them for 40 minutes or until crispy on the edges. Watch how it progresses, and check it after 20 minutes. It may already be done if you shredded them thinner than ours. Baking time largely depends on the size of the strips.
    • Take your pita pocket or wrap and stuff them with all the goodies: vegan gyro meat, tomatoes, onion slices, vegan tzatziki. Enjoy!
    Tried this recipe? Can we see it?Please share a picture with us by uploading an image to Pinterest below ours.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Gyros (Shredded Mushrooms)
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving without pita)
    Calories 408 Calories from Fat 279
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 31g48%
    Saturated Fat 7g44%
    Sodium 1307mg57%
    Potassium 634mg18%
    Carbohydrates 29g10%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 7g14%
    Vitamin A 242IU5%
    Vitamin C 4mg5%
    Calcium 30mg3%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    UPDATED: This recipe was originally posted in January 2021. More info, tips, and FAQs were added and republished in Jan 2023.

    2.7K shares

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Taylor

      February 03, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      5 stars
      So amazing. Made these multiple
      Times. Better than actual meat!

      Reply
    2. Charlotte

      September 15, 2021 at 2:42 am

      I am so terribly disappointed. I just pulled out the mushrooms of the oven after less than 40 minutes and they are charred. Guess I should have checked sooner. Definitely needs a serious adjustment next time.

      Reply
      • My Pure Plants

        September 15, 2021 at 7:30 am

        Hi Charlotte, Sorry to hear that. It may mean that you shredded the mushrooms smaller than we were. Did you bake it with fan or without fan? If you turned the fan on in the oven, then the oven gets hotter. We did recommend in the instructions to check how it progresses and flip occasionally. I hope you try it again as it is absolutely delicious.

        Reply
    3. Letty Barocio

      April 19, 2021 at 2:46 am

      Ohh. All the best!

      Reply

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