Greek-Style Pork Souvlaki with Fresh Tzatziki
Experience the deliciousness of traditional Greek cuisine with this authentic Pork Souvlaki recipe. Featuring tender cubes of marinated pork shoulder grilled to perfection, these skewers are bursting with fresh flavors from garlic, herbs, and a zesty lemon marinade. Served in warm pita bread and topped with a refreshing shredded salad, each bite is a delightful symphony of tastes and textures. For an extra touch, pair it with homemade tzatziki sauce. This dish is perfect for gatherings, a summer barbecue, or any time you want to indulge in Greek flavors. Plus, you can easily substitute the pork with chicken for a variation that also delights!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Wooden skewer
8 (8-inches long)
Boneless pork shoulder
2 lbs (cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes)
Lemon juice
1/2 cup
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
Fresh oregano
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Fresh thyme
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons
Salt
to taste
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Pita bread
6 (for serving)
Iceberg lettuce
to taste (chopped)
Green leaf lettuce
3 cups (shredded)
White onion
1 small (thinly sliced into half moons)
Round tomatoes
3 large (medium diced)
Olive oil
1/2 cup
Red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon
Salt
to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the wooden skewers in water for at least 1 hour, which will prevent them from burning on the grill.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork cubes with lemon juice, red wine vinegar, chopped oregano, chopped thyme, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the pork is evenly coated in the marinade.
3
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the marinated pork for a minimum of 3 hours, or overnight for best results, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
4
Once marinated, thread 5 pieces of pork onto each skewer, leaving a little space between the pieces for even cooking.
5
Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the skewers on the grill without direct flames and cook slowly, frequently basting with the leftover marinade to keep the meat moist and flavorful. Grill until the pork is cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
6
While the skewers cook, prepare the shredded salad. In a large bowl, combine shredded green leaf lettuce, sliced onion, and diced tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine.
7
To serve, place the grilled pork souvlaki in warm pita bread, top with the shredded salad, and optionally add a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Enjoy your Greek culinary adventure!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greek-Style Pork Souvlaki?
It is a traditional Greek dish featuring marinated cubes of pork shoulder grilled on skewers, typically served in pita bread with salad.
What cut of pork is best for this recipe?
Boneless pork shoulder is recommended, cut into 1-1/2-inch cubes for the best texture and flavor.
How long should I soak the wooden skewers?
Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 1 hour to prevent them from burning on the grill.
What ingredients are in the pork marinade?
The marinade consists of lemon juice, red wine vinegar, chopped fresh oregano, chopped fresh thyme, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
How long should the pork marinate?
The pork should marinate for a minimum of 3 hours, though refrigerating it overnight provides the best results.
How many pieces of pork should I put on each skewer?
Thread 5 pieces of pork onto each 8-inch skewer, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.
What is the recommended grill temperature?
Preheat your grill to medium heat and cook the skewers slowly without direct flames.
How long does it take to grill the pork souvlaki?
The pork typically takes about 10-15 minutes to cook through, turning occasionally.
How do I keep the meat moist while grilling?
Frequently baste the pork with the leftover marinade during the cooking process to keep it moist and flavorful.
What ingredients are in the shredded salad?
The salad includes shredded green leaf lettuce, thinly sliced white onion, and diced round tomatoes.
How is the shredded salad dressed?
It is dressed with olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
How do I serve the pork souvlaki?
Place the grilled pork in warm pita bread and top it with the prepared shredded salad.
Can I substitute the pork with chicken?
Yes, you can easily substitute the pork shoulder with chicken for a delicious variation.
Is tzatziki sauce included in this recipe?
While the recipe focuses on the pork and salad, it recommends adding a dollop of tzatziki sauce as an optional topping.
What size should the wooden skewers be?
The recipe calls for 8-inch long wooden skewers.
How many pita breads are needed?
The recipe suggests using 6 pita breads for serving.
What kind of vinegar is used for the marinade?
Red wine vinegar is used in the marinade to add zest and help tenderize the meat.
What herbs are used in the pork marinade?
Fresh oregano and fresh thyme are the primary herbs used to flavor the pork.
How should the white onion be prepared?
The small white onion should be thinly sliced into half moons.
What type of lettuce is used in the salad?
The recipe uses 3 cups of shredded green leaf lettuce, though chopped iceberg lettuce is also listed as an option.
How much olive oil is used for the salad dressing?
One-half cup of olive oil is used for the salad dressing portion of the recipe.
Can I use dried herbs for the marinade?
While fresh oregano and thyme are specified for the marinade, dried oregano is specifically used for the salad seasoning.
How many tomatoes are required?
You will need 3 large round tomatoes, which should be medium diced.
Why is it important to leave space between the pork pieces?
Leaving a little space between the cubes on the skewer ensures the heat can circulate for even cooking.
Should I cover the pork while it marinates?
Yes, cover the bowl with plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator to marinate.
How much garlic is needed for the pork?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of chopped or minced garlic.
What is the total amount of pork needed?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of boneless pork shoulder.
Is the grill heat direct or indirect?
The instructions advise placing the skewers on the grill without direct flames to allow them to cook slowly.
How much lemon juice is used in the marinade?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of lemon juice for the pork marinade.
What is the preparation for the garlic?
The garlic should be finely minced or chopped before being added to the marinade.