Delicious Recipe for Homemade Greek Souvlaki You’ll Love!

Souvlaki, one of Greece’s most famous street foods, is made of small pieces of marinated meat (pork, chicken, or lamb) grilled on skewers. It’s served with pita, vegetables, and tzatziki, and is perfect for a quick dinner. In this article, I want to show you how to easily make souvlaki at home!

Souvlaki is a fast food favorite, enjoyed throughout Greece and around the world. Traditionally made with pork, chicken, or lamb, the meat we use for souvlaki can be marinated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and oregano, to enhance the meat flavors.

Once marinated, the meat is skewered and grilled until tender, then served on pita bread with fresh vegetables, usually tomatoes and onions, and topped with tzatziki. It can be served on its own with a side of Greek salad or wrapped up in a pita.

Authentic Greek Souvlaki Recipe

Ingredients for the souvlaki and the meat marinade

• 1 lb pork tenderloin (or chicken thighs, lamb, or beef)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions: How to Make Souvlaki

Prepare the marinade

• Cut the meat into small chunks (about 1-inch cubes).
• In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper.
• Add the meat to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for more flavor.

Make Tzatziki

• In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the chopped dill (if using).
• Adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes.

Grill the souvlaki

• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
• Thread the marinated meat onto metal or wooden skewers.
• Grill the skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.

Assemble and serve

• Warm the pita bread on the grill for 1-2 minutes or until slightly toasted.
• To serve, place the grilled souvlaki meat in the center of each pita.
• Top with slices of tomato, red onion, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.
• Optionally garnish with sweet paprika. Wrap up the pita around the filling and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Souvlaki

• Let the meat marinate for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to penetrate.

• If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the souvlaki on a grill pan or in the oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.
• For added flavor, you can add bell peppers or zucchini to the skewers alongside the meat.
• Don’t overcook the meat to keep it tender and juicy.
• Serve with a side of Greek salad, fries, or extra pita bread.

Greek souvlaki is tasty, simple, and a Mediterranean staple. It can be the main ingredient on a sunny day grill or a quick weeknight dinner. Enjoy!

Souvlaki

Souvlaki is made of small pieces of marinated meat (pork, chicken, or lamb) grilled on skewers and served with pita, fresh vegetables, and tzatziki sauce.

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Course Appetizer

Cuisine Greek

Ingredients

  

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Ingredients for the souvlaki and the meat marinade

• 1 lb Pork tenderloin (or chicken thighs, lamb, or beef)
• Olive oil extra virgin
• 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
• 3 Cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp Dried oregano
• 1 tso Dried thyme (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for Tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 Cucumber grated and excess water squeezed out
• Olive oil extra virgin
• Fresh lemon juice
• 2 Cloves garlic minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill chopped (optional)

Instructions

 

Marinade

• Cut the meat into small chunks (about 1-inch cubes).In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper.
• Add the meat to the marinade and toss to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for more flavor.

Tzatziki

• In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Stir in the chopped dill (if using).
• Adjust the seasoning as needed.
• Refrigerate the sauce for at least 30 minutes.

Grill the souvlaki

• Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
• Thread the marinated meat onto metal or wooden skewers.
• Grill the skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.

Assemble & serve

• Warm the pita bread on the grill for 1-2 minutes or until slightly toasted.
• Place the grilled souvlaki meat in the center of each pita and top with slices of tomato, red onion, and a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce.
• Optionally garnish with sweet paprika and wrap up the pita around the filling.

Notes

• If you don’t have a grill, you can cook the souvlaki on a grill pan or in the oven at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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How to Make Greek Souvlaki

Gabi Ancarola
Gabi is a travel writer who has lived in Crete for over a decade. Through her blog, Crete Insider, she has helped travelers uncover local experiences. Passionate about food and Cretan cuisine, she now attends Greek cooking lessons to bring the island’s flavors straight to your kitchen!