
Grilled Vegetable Medley Gyro with Cashew Feta and Dill
A vibrant vegan gyro loaded with charred grilled zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, topped with creamy cashew feta, fresh dill, tomatoes, and cucumber, all wrapped in warm pita. The vegetables are marinated in olive oil, garlic, and oregano before grilling to develop rich, smoky flavor. Serve with a tangy tzatziki-style cashew sauce for an authentic Mediterranean experience.
Steps
Before you start
- Make the cashew feta at least 1 hour ahead (or up to 3 days); it needs time to firm up in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the cashew tzatziki sauce at the same time.
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C) just before you're ready to grill.
- Have all vegetables cut and marinated and ready to go before you start grilling.
Prepare cashew feta
- Place the soaked and drained cashews into a food processor or blender.
- Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice (3 tablespoons), apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, sea salt, and filtered water (¼ cup).
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
- The mixture should resemble soft ricotta or feta.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 3 days) so it firms up.
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Ready when: Mixture is smooth and creamy; after chilling, it should be crumbly and hold its shape
Tip: If the feta is too thick after blending, add a touch more water (1 tablespoon at a time). If it's too runny, add another tablespoon of cashews blended in.
Make tzatziki sauce (optional)
- In a small blender or food processor, combine the soaked and drained cashews (¾ cup), minced garlic (1 clove), lemon juice (2 tablespoons), filtered water (½ cup), chopped fresh dill (2 tablespoons), and sea salt (¼ teaspoon).
- Blend until smooth and pourable.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Transfer to a small bowl.
- This sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 5 days.
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Ready when: Sauce is smooth, pourable, and creamy
Tip: Make this at the same time as the feta to save time. The sauce should be the consistency of Greek yogurt—thinner and pourable.
Marinate vegetables
- In a large shallow bowl or baking dish, whisk together the olive oil (½ cup), minced garlic (4 cloves), dried oregano (1 tablespoon), lemon juice (2 tablespoons), sea salt (1 teaspoon), and freshly ground black pepper (½ teaspoon).
- Add the zucchini slabs, eggplant rounds, and bell pepper pieces.
- Toss gently to coat all vegetables evenly.
- Let sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes while you prepare everything else, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
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Ready when: All vegetables are coated with marinade and glistening
Tip: Don't marinate too long in advance or the vegetables may start to soften and become mushy. 15–20 minutes is ideal.
Heat grillOven 400°F / 205°C
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C), or place a large cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat on the stovetop for 3–4 minutes.
- If using a grill pan, test the heat by holding your hand 2 inches above the surface; you should feel strong heat.
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Ready when: Grill grates or pan surface is very hot and just begins to smoke lightly
Tip: Lightly oil the grill grates or pan with a high-heat oil (like avocado oil) on a folded paper towel to prevent sticking, or use cooking spray.
Grill zucchini and eggplant
- Working in batches so as not to crowd the grill, place the zucchini slabs and eggplant rounds on the hot grill in a single layer.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side without moving them, until deep golden-brown char marks form.
- Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes on the other side until tender and charred.
- Transfer to a clean plate and keep warm.
- The vegetables are done when they're soft enough to bend slightly but still hold their shape.
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Ready when: Vegetables have deep golden-brown char marks and are tender when pierced with a fork
Tip: Don't flip too early—let the first side develop a good char. Thin slices cook quickly, so watch carefully to avoid burning. If your grill is uneven, move pieces to cooler spots if they're charring too fast.
Grill bell peppers
- Place the bell pepper pieces on the grill skin-side down (the side that was facing outward on the pepper).
- Cook for 4–5 minutes until the skin is mostly blackened and blistered.
- Flip and cook for another 2–3 minutes on the other side until the flesh is soft and tender.
- The peppers are done when they're cooked through and easy to peel or bite into.
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Ready when: Skin is blackened and blistered; flesh is very soft and tender
Tip: If you prefer milder char marks, reduce the time slightly or move peppers to a cooler part of the grill. The blackened skin is edible and adds smoky flavor.
Warm pita bread
- Place the pita breads directly on the grill grates for 30–45 seconds per side, just until they're warm and soft and have light char marks.
- Alternatively, warm them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20–30 seconds per side.
- Don't let them dry out or become too crispy.
- Transfer to a clean plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
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Ready when: Pita is warm, soft, and has light char marks; it's still pliable
Tip: Warm pita right before serving so it stays soft and pliable. If you warm it too far in advance, it will cool and harden.
Assemble gyros
- Lay a warm pita bread flat on a clean work surface.
- Spread a generous dollop (about 2 tablespoons) of cashew feta down the center.
- Layer on a mix of grilled zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers (about 1 cup of grilled vegetables per gyro).
- Top with sliced tomato, cucumber, optional red onion, and fresh dill.
- Drizzle with tzatziki-style sauce if using.
- Optional: add torn fresh mint.
- Fold the pita in half or roll it up burrito-style to enclose the filling.
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Ready when: Gyro is filled and tightly folded or rolled; ingredients are visible and well-distributed
Tip: Don't overstuff or the gyro will fall apart when you bite into it. A heaping handful of grilled vegetables per gyro is about right. Wrap the bottom in foil or parchment paper for easy handling.
Good to know
Tips
- Plan ahead: Make the cashew feta and sauce the day before (or morning of) to save time and let flavors develop.
- Slice your vegetables evenly (about ¼ inch / 6 mm thick) so they cook at the same rate and develop good char without burning.
- Don't skip the marinade—the olive oil, garlic, and oregano add incredible depth to the grilled vegetables and are essential to the Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Grill in batches and don't crowd the grill; overcrowding causes vegetables to steam rather than char, and you'll miss out on that smoky, caramelized flavor.
Make ahead
Cashew feta and tzatziki-style sauce can both be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Vegetables can be marinated up to 2 hours ahead. Grill everything (vegetables and pita) just before serving for the best texture and warmth.
Storage & reheating
Store leftover cashew feta and tzatziki sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Leftover grilled vegetables keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or serve cold. Assembled gyros are best eaten immediately, but any leftovers should be wrapped tightly and consumed within 1 day. Pita bread keeps in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month (thaw before warming).
Substitutions
- raw unsalted cashews → Raw macadamia nuts or sunflower seeds. Macadamia nuts are creamier and richer; sunflower seeds are lighter and slightly less creamy but work well and are cheaper. Use the same amount by weight.
- large pita breads or flatbreads → Flatbreads, naan, or large tortillas. Any soft, pliable bread works. Naan will be richer; flatbreads or tortillas are lighter. Warm them the same way.
- fresh dill → Fresh parsley or a mix of parsley and fresh oregano. Parsley is milder; oregano adds earthiness. Use the same amount, or adjust to taste. Dill is traditional for tzatziki-inspired dishes, so dill is the best choice if available.
- nutritional yeast → Miso paste (1 tablespoon) or additional lemon juice (2 teaspoons). Nutritional yeast adds a savory, cheesy note. Miso adds umami; add a tiny bit more water if using it. Lemon juice adds brightness and tang instead.
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- Meal
- Lunch
- Cuisine
- Mediterranean
- Method
- Grill & BBQ





