Traditional Greek Souvlaki Recipe

2022-10-31

By Greek Chef

Greek Cuisine

Main Course

Enjoy an authentic Greek souvlaki recipe with this quick street food delight. Marinated pork skewers are grilled to perfection and served with fresh veggies, tzatziki sauce, and feta cheese. 

How to Make Souvlaki at Home?

To make souvlaki at home, you will need a grill to cook the skewers. As for the skewers themselves, you can use either metal skewers or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water to prevent them from burning.

Souvlaki: From Greek Street Food to International Sensation

 Easy Grilled

 Usually made with smaller meat chunks that can be easily and evenly cooked on the grill. Compared to larger cuts of meat, souvlaki takes less time to cook.

What Meat is Used in Souvlaki?

Souvlaki originated in the ancient Greek city of Athens, and it was initially made with pork meat. Later, other meats like chicken, beef, and lamb were also used to make souvlaki. It is served with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables.

Greek Yogurt Sauce for Souvlaki

The Greek yogurt sauce typically served with souvlaki is called tzatziki. Made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill or mint. The yogurt provides a creamy base, while the cucumber adds a cool and crisp element. 

Souvlaki Marinade

 The meat is usually marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano before being grilled. Marinate for at least 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.

Pitfalls on Souvlaki

 Consistency: Making good Souvlaki requires consistency in skewering the meat, marinating it, and cooking it to perfection. Any variations can affect the taste and texture of the finished product.

 Timing: Grilling Souvlaki at the right temperature and for the right amount of time is crucial to keep it juicy and flavorful. Overcooking can result in tough and dry meat, while undercooking can put the consumer's health at risk.

 Hygiene: Handling and preparing the meat and other ingredients for Souvlaki poses a risk of contamination if not done properly. Providers need to follow food safety regulations and maintain clean equipment and workspaces.

 Creativity: Souvlaki is a traditional Greek dish, but that doesn't mean it can't be modernized or adapted to different tastes and preferences. Providers can experiment with different marinades, meats, toppings, and sauces to create a unique and appealing product.

Ingredients

• 1 lb pork tenderloin, sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 4 large pita breads

• 1 large tomato, sliced

• 1/2 red onion, sliced

• 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine sliced pork, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork slices onto skewers.

3. Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, for approximately 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.

4. While the pork is cooking, warm the pita bread briefly on the grill or in the oven.

5. To assemble the souvlaki, place one pita bread on a plate and top with sliced tomato and red onion. Add the cooked pork skewers to the pita bread and drizzle with tzatziki sauce. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Preparation Time 30 min

Cook Time 20 min

Total time 50 min

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 359

Fat: 21 g

Saturated Fat: 5 g

Carbohydrates: 19 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: 2 g

Protein: 24 g

Regional Ingredients Variations of Souvlaki

Athens, they may use pork and marinate it with lemon and oregano, creating a dish known as "Kalamaki". 

Crete, they may use shrimp and marinate it with thyme, rosemary, and garlic, creating a dish known as "Shrimp Souvlaki".

Thessaloniki, they may use beef and marinate it with paprika and cumin, creating a dish known as "Bifteki Souvlaki".

The Cyclades islands, they may use pork and marinate it with vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves, creating a dish known as "Souvlaki Skopelou".

Rhodes, they may use chicken and marinate it with yogurt and lemon juice, creating a dish known as "Kotopoulo Souvlaki".

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