Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (2024)

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Pork Souvlaki recipe is one of my favorite Greek food to make, easy and flavorful. It is pork marinated in lemon and spices, skewered, grilled or cooked in the oven.

My family loves anything grilled, but it is too hot outside so I am cooking in the oven. This simple Mediterranean Pork recipe is bursting in flavor.

Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (1)

Oven or grilled, souvlaki is savory and scrumptious.

Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (2)

We used to live close to Hubs, a popular Greek fast food restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago. Frequented by Greeks and non-Greeks alike. It is an indication their menu is similar to the authentic Greek food. This was one of my go to Greek restaurant when I want something quick and fast.

Chicken and Pork Souvlaki are easy to make and bursting with flavor, great for backyard grilling with family and friends.

Marinate meat at least ½ a day but overnight is preferable. Flavor is well infused in meat and much tastier. Lemon and oregano mixture gives this dish its tangy flavor.

Souvlaki meat in the US is much bigger compared to the Greek version. In Greece, meat is thinner and skewer is shorter. When I visited Greece many years ago, we indulged on souvlaki all over Southern Greece while visiting many popular sites.

In Greece, most restaurants and shops closed after lunch. By the time they open again was around 7 pm. That was too late. We were freaking starving all the time, but we learned quickly. After having lunch, we ordered food to take with us.

I remember vividly and we joked about it that we were pigging out. There were a few instances when we ordered 30 skewers of pork souvlaki to take on the road. These orders were for 2 people only. They were tiny pieces of meat but very delicious.

Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (3)

I was always fascinated with Greek cooking, so before leaving Greece I bought “The Best Traditional Recipes of Greek Cooking’. This cook book is packed with appetizing images of food.

After coming back from Greece, I craved for souvlaki and other delicious Greek food like Pastit*io, Moussaka and Dolmas.

I experimented making Pork Souvlaki many times, now I can say that my souvlaki is similar to the authentic Greek souvlaki.

Tzatziki and pita bread are always paired with souvlaki or if you prefer rice over bread, try this Persian rice recipe.

How to Cook Pork Souvlaki Recipe

Here’s a very easy pork souvlaki recipe that will wow your guest this July 4th celebration. Marinate pork a day ahead and it will surely be a crowd pleaser. Enjoy! Happy July 4th to all.


Recipe

Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (4)

Pork Souvlaki Recipe

Pork Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish made of pork marinated in lemon and spice. Thread in a skewer and cook in the oven or grill.

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Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Greek

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 188kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pork loin pork shoulder or country ribs, ¾ in x 1 inch

Marinate

  • ¼ cup lemon juice or 1 lemon
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cut pork into small cubes (¾ in x 1 in). Set aside.

  • Combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl or ziploc bag. Mix well. This is the marinate.

  • Add pork to the marinate mix. Set aside for at least ½ a day or overnight in the refrigerator.

  • Thread pork on small wooden skewers.

  • Bake in oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

  • Switch to broil for 5 minutes.

  • Serve with tzatziki and pita bread. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. It is best to marinate meat overnight but ½ day or 4 hours will do.
  2. If serving with Tzatziki, this can be prepared one day ahead. Tzatziki taste better the following day.
  3. Cooking on the grill or oven will render a delicious souvlaki.
  4. If you like a stronger lemony taste, add ½ cup instead ¼ cup lemon.

Nutrition

Calories: 188kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 315mg | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 4.9mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (5)

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Greek Pork Souvlaki Recipe - Today's Delight (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between gyro and pork souvlaki? ›

Here's how to tell the difference: Souvlaki is marinated pork, chicken, beef, or lamb grilled on a skewer. It's typically served on a skewer, but you can also eat it in a warm pita or over salad. Gyros are made with stacked meat (usually pork, but other meats are common) that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

Is Greek seasoning the same as souvlaki seasoning? ›

Rodelle Greek Seasoning is a Souvlaki-style seasoning spice blend. Souvlaki is a staple in Greek cuisine, often the star of the ever popular shish kebab. Rodelle Greek Seasoning is a traditional mix of spices and flavors that will enhance pork, lamb, chicken and other meat and fish dishes.

What cut is pork souvlaki made of? ›

You may certainly use a leaner cut of pork but the butt (shoulder) or belly is my preference. Souvlaki is what I served at my Birthday party as the meat portion of the evening. As I was serving an array of dishes, I cut the pork into small, bite-sized pieces.

Do Greeks put chips in souvlaki? ›

Putting chips in souvlaki is a trend that has swept Greece. In Australia, restaurants and souvlaki stores are split. Greeks who have recently migrated to Australia may find themselves confused, finding no chips in their souvlaki, but rather, lettuce.

Is souvlaki or gyro healthier? ›

Which is healthier, souvlaki or gyro? Both souvlaki and gyro can be nutritious choices, depending on how they are prepared and served. Both are made with relatively lean meat cuts and grilled, making them a great lean protein source.

What does souvlaki mean in Greek? ›

The word souvlaki has roots in the Greek word souvla, meaning skewer (souvlaki means small skewer).

What spice do Greeks use most? ›

What spices are used in Greek food? Greek cuisine primarily uses oregano, mint, garlic, onion, dill, and bay leaf, along with the addition of basil, thyme, fennel seed, and parsley.

What gives Greek food its signature flavor? ›

Each culture is known for its unique spices and herbs used to create signature dishes, and for the Greeks, those spices are primarily citruses, good quality oils, peppers, oregano, dill, and cheeses.

What is Souvlaki marinade made of? ›

Chicken Souvlaki Marinade: The marinade is the star here, which is a combination of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and pepper. Tzatziki Sauce: I love to make my own tzatziki sauce when I have time. But of course, you can buy your favorite brand as well.

What makes souvlaki so good? ›

The addictive taste of Souvlaki can be attributed to its fresh and flavourful ingredients, the grilling process, and its convenience factor. The combination of the smoky flavour, tender meat, tangy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings make it hard to resist.

What is the best souvlaki meat? ›

  • Souvlaki is a Greek 'fast food' meal that is usually eaten straight off the grill.
  • While pork is traditionally the most common meat used in Souvlaki, chicken, beef and lamb can be substituted as well.
  • Pork is a naturally tender meat and will soak up the marinate rather quickly.

Can pork souvlaki be pink? ›

In short, yes! We used to be afraid of pink pork because of a parasite known as trichinosis, but the risk of contracting it is virtually nonexistent these days. Like beef, pork temperatures are designed to cook the meat long enough to nix E. coli, which means it may have a little color in the middle.

What is Greece's national dish? ›

You'll find moussaka, with its chunky layers of deeply savoury, sweetly spiced meat, silky aubergines and creamy bechamel sauce, on the menu at every whitewashed tourist taverna. No surprise, then, that it's perceived by many visitors as Greece's national dish.

What does gyros mean in Greek? ›

Gyro Means “To Turn

The literal meaning of the term Gyro is “to turn” or “revolution”, with origin in the Greek word “gheereezo”. It refers to how the meat is cooked.

What is a traditional Greek snack? ›

Koulouri (Greek sesame bread rings) Loukoumades (Greek donuts with honey) Nuts and Dried Fruits. Bogatsa or Bougatsa. Bougatsa (custard pie with phyllo)

Are gyros in Greece made with pork? ›

In Greece, it is normally made with pork or sometimes with chicken, whilst beef and lamb are also used in other countries.

What does souvlaki taste like? ›

The addictive taste of Souvlaki can be attributed to its fresh and flavourful ingredients, the grilling process, and its convenience factor. The combination of the smoky flavour, tender meat, tangy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings make it hard to resist.

What type of meat is on a gyro? ›

In this traditional kebab dish, the lamb is seasoned, pressed into a cylinder, and continuously rotated until fully cooked. When the lamb is too lean, layers of fat are sometimes added. Lamb is the most common and traditional meat used in Gyros.

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