Gyro vs. Taco — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 5, 2024
Gyro, a Greek dish with meat, vegetables, and tzatziki in pita, contrasts with Taco, a Mexican dish with fillings in a folded tortilla.
Difference Between Gyro and Taco
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Gyros are traditionally made from meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, typically pork or chicken, and served wrapped in a flatbread such as pita, along with ingredients like tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce. On the other hand, tacos consist of a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, or vegetables, enclosed in a soft or hard corn or wheat tortilla.
While gyros are often associated with Greek cuisine and are known for their distinctive cooking method involving meat being cooked on a vertical rotisserie, tacos are a staple in Mexican cuisine, offering a wide range of fillings and the choice between soft and hard shells.
Gyros typically come with a specific set of toppings and sauce, mainly tzatziki, a cucumber yogurt sauce, making them creamy and savory. In contrast, tacos can be customized with a wide array of toppings, such as lettuce, cheese, salsa, and more, allowing for a variety of flavors and textures.
Another key difference lies in the bread used for each dish; gyros are wrapped in a soft, thick pita bread, which is more bread-like, whereas tacos are served in a lighter, corn or wheat tortilla, which can be either soft or crispy.
Gyros and tacos reflect their cultural origins not only in their ingredients but also in their preparation and presentation, with gyros often being a quick, street food option in Greece, while tacos hold a similar status in Mexican cuisine, being versatile and widely consumed at all times of the day.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Greek
Mexican
Main Ingredient
Meat (pork, chicken) on a vertical rotisserie
Various (beef, pork, chicken, seafood, vegetables)
Bread Type
Pita
Corn or wheat tortilla
Sauce
Tzatziki (cucumber yogurt sauce)
Varies (salsa, cheese, guacamole)
Serving Style
Wrapped
Folded
Compare with Definitions
Gyro
The cooking method used for gyro meat, rotating vertically near heat.
The vertical rotisserie ensures the gyro meat cooks evenly and stays juicy.
Taco
A Mexican dish comprising a folded or rolled tortilla filled with various mixtures, such as beef, chicken, or vegetables.
For dinner, we had homemade tacos with a spicy beef filling.
Gyro
A Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce, key in gyro.
Homemade tzatziki sauce makes the gyro incredibly refreshing.
Taco
A thin, flat bread used in tacos, made from corn or wheat.
She preferred her tacos with soft corn tortillas instead of wheat.
Gyro
A Greek dish featuring meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, served in pita with tzatziki.
I ordered a chicken gyro with extra tzatziki sauce for lunch.
Taco
Describes the presentation of tacos vs. gyros; tacos are folded, while gyros are wrapped.
Unlike the wrapped gyro, the taco was neatly folded, holding all its fillings.
Gyro
A type of soft, leavened flatbread used in gyros.
The pita bread wrapped around the gyro meat was warm and soft.
Taco
A type of sauce, often tomato-based, used as a topping in tacos.
He loaded his taco with hot salsa for extra spice.
Gyro
Culinary tradition of Greece, including dishes like gyro.
Gyro is a popular fast-food option in Greek cuisine.
Taco
The culinary tradition of Mexico, known for its varied flavors and tacos.
Tacos are a versatile and beloved part of Mexican cuisine.
Gyro
A gyroscope.
Taco
A taco (US: , UK: , Spanish: [ˈtako]) is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand.
Gyro
A gyrocompass.
Taco
A corn tortilla folded around a filling such as ground meat or cheese.
Gyro
A gyroscope.
Taco
(culinary) A Mexican snack food made of a small tortilla (soft or hard shelled) filled with ingredients such as meat, rice, beans, cheese, diced vegetables and salsa.
Gyro
A gyrocompass.
Taco
The vulva.
Gyro
An autogyro.
Taco
A yellow stain on a shirt armpit caused by sweat or deodorant.
Gyro
(bicycle parts) detangler.
Taco
(slang) To fold or cause to buckle in half, similar to the way a taco is folded.
Gyro
A style of Greek sandwich commonly filled with grilled meat, tomato, onions, and tzatziki sauce.
I'll have a gyro, please.
Taco
Offensive terms for a person of Mexican descent
Gyro
A Greek sandwich: sliced roast lamb with onion and tomato stuffed into pita bread
Taco
A tortilla rolled cupped around a filling
Gyro
Rotating mechanism in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction
Common Curiosities
Can you find gyros in Mexican cuisine?
No, gyros are specific to Greek cuisine.
Are tacos considered fast food?
In Mexican cuisine, tacos are often regarded as a fast-food or street-food option.
Is tzatziki sauce used in tacos?
Tzatziki is typically used in gyros, not tacos, which feature a variety of other sauces.
Can a taco be vegetarian?
Yes, tacos can easily be made vegetarian with fillings like beans, cheese, and vegetables.
Can you use beef in gyros?
While less traditional than pork or chicken, beef can be used in gyros.
What makes a gyro different from a taco?
A gyro is a Greek dish with rotisserie-cooked meat in pita bread, while a taco is a Mexican dish with fillings in a tortilla.
Are tacos available with pita bread?
No, tacos traditionally use corn or wheat tortillas, not pita bread.
Do gyros contain vegetables?
Yes, gyros often include vegetables like tomatoes and onions.
What's the key sauce in a gyro?
The key sauce in a gyro is tzatziki, a cucumber yogurt sauce.
What kind of meat is used in a gyro?
Gyros are usually made with pork, chicken, or sometimes lamb, cooked on a vertical rotisserie.
How is the meat for gyros cooked?
The meat for gyros is cooked on a vertical rotisserie, turning slowly next to a heat source.
How are tacos served in terms of the shell?
Tacos can be served with either soft or hard shells, made from corn or wheat tortillas.
What toppings are common on tacos?
Tacos may include toppings like lettuce, cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
Is there a cheese option in gyros?
Gyros typically do not include cheese among their main ingredients.
Is Greek cuisine known for its use of tortillas?
No, Greek cuisine does not typically use tortillas; it is more common in Mexican cuisine.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
