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    Home » Pork

    Greek Pork Souvlaki with Marinade

    Published: Sep 2, 2021 · Modified: Apr 18, 2023 by Diana Reis · This post may contain affiliate links

    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    This Greek Pork Souvlaki and its amazing Marinade is everything you need for a weeknight dinner or family barbecue. Delicious bright lemon, garlic, and oregano coat perfectly grilled pork for a fresh taste of the Mediterranean any night of the week.

    Close up finished pork skewers

    These pork skewers are tender, full of flavor, and ready in 25 minutes. Last Minute Dinner Crew, this recipe is just for you!

    Serve with Rice Pilaf and a Traditional Greek Salad for an amazing Greek Dinner.

    Contents hide
    Make this Recipe Tonight!
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    FAQs
    Related Recipes
    📖 Recipe
    Traditional Greek Souvlaki with Pork
    Pork Souvlaki Skewers
    Pork Souvlaki Marinade Ingredients

    Make this Recipe Tonight!

    Pork loin pieces are lean and easy to work with.

    It is a delicious and inexpensive protein.

    The simple marinade is bursting with bright Greek flavors of lemon, oregano, and garlic.

    You don’t have to plan ahead to have time to marinade. You can season and cook within minutes.

    Ingredients

    Pork souvlaki and marinade ingredients

    Pork - I recommend a pork loin for this recipe. It is inexpensive and has the right amount of fat for grilling. You can substitute pork tenderloin for this recipe. It is leaner, but also very flavorful. Pork shoulder is a great choice as well. It is fattier and may require some trimming.

     If you can’t find the right size piece of pork loin at the meat counter, substitute a package of pork chops. Boneless chops are cut from the pork loin, and can be easier to find in smaller portions.

    Instructions

    Step 1

    • In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic cloves, oregano, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.  Put half in a large bowl or gallon zip lock back to coat the chunks of meat, and reserve the second half for basting meat after it is cooked.
    • Cut pork into 1 inch cubes.
    • Next, cut a lemon into thick slices and then quarter the slices. This will make thin lemon wedges. (optional) If you skip this step, add a good squeeze of lemon juice while grilling.  and lemon slices in half of the marinade and allow to marinate for 15-30 minutes.
    • Place pork cubes, lemon slices, and half the marinade into a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes. 
    step 1- marinade

    Step 2

    • Then, thread pork pieces and lemon slices onto the skewers. Add a lemon slice every 2-3 pieces of pork. 
    step 2- put pork on skewers

    Step 3

    • Heat a grill pan, griddle pan, or your outdoor grill on a medium-high heat. 
    • Place the skewers onto the hot cooking surface and let cook for 3-5 minutes per side. Grill skewers until they are golden brown and have reached a safe internal temperature of 145° or higher. 
    • Then, remove fully cooked pork souvlaki skewers from the pan.
    • Finally, drizzle the remaining marinade over hot skewers, and let rest with foil over them for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.
    Step 3- Grill for 3 to 5 minutes each side

    Serve with your favorite Greek side dishes or as a souvlaki wrap with pita and a dollop of  tzatziki sauce.

    FAQs

    What is Souvlaki?

    Souvlaki is actually the skewer itself. You can use any meat you like or even vegetables.

    How long should I marinate the pork?

    I just haven’t found any benefit to letting meat sit in a marinade for hours and hours. You also run the risk that a highly acidic marinade will degrade your meat quality and make the outer layers mushy. 

    The best thing to do, especially for nice cubed pork souvlaki, is to put a light coating of marinade on before cooking and hit it with a drizzle of marinade right after you take it off the grill and let it rest in the marinade.

    Can I get an intensely flavored pork skewer without marinating meat for hours?

    Yes! Rather than let meat sit in marinade for hours or days, use a half and half method. Use half the marinade for before cooking and half for basting. Dividing the souvlaki marinade in advance prevents contamination.
    Coat cubed pork in half the marinade and store covered in a bowl or food storage bag for 10-20 minutes. Discard excess marinade after use.

    Cook pork skewers to desired doneness. Drizzle or bush hot souvlaki with the remaining marinade. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to have the most flavorful pork you’ve ever made.

    pork souvlaki on a bed of greens with side dishes

    Related Recipes

    • Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
    • Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs
    • Balsamic Pork Chops

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    📖 Recipe

    pork souvlaki feature

    Traditional Greek Souvlaki with Pork

    Bright lemon and herb flavors are the essence of Greek food. This simple recipe can be cooked completed in less 30 minutes and is so delicious, you will go back to it over and over again.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Main Dish
    Cuisine: Greek/ Mediteranean
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 Skewers
    Calories: 370kcal
    Author: Diana Reis

    Equipment

    • 6 Metal Skewers or wood skewers

    Ingredients

    Pork Souvlaki Skewers

    • 2 Pounds Pork Loin cubed into 1" pieces
    • 1 Large Lemon (optional)

    Pork Souvlaki Marinade Ingredients

    • ¼ Cup Fresh Lemon Juice Juice of 1 Large Lemon
    • ½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 Teaspoons Dry Oregano Greek oregano preferred
    • 3 Cloves Garlic minced or pressed
    • 1 Tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
    • 1 Teaspoon Pepper
    • 1 Teaspoon Salt or salt to taste

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic cloves, oregano, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Put half in a large bowl or gallon zip lock back to coat the chunks of meat, and reserve the second half for basting meat after it is cooked.
    • Cut pork into 1 inch cubes.
    • Next, cut a lemon into thick slices and then quarter the slices. This will make thin lemon wedges. (optional) If you skip this step, add a good squeeze of lemon juice while grilling. and lemon slices in half of the marinade and allow to marinate for 15-30 minutes.
    • Place pork cubes, lemon slices, and half the marinade into a medium bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.
    • Then, thread pork pieces and lemon slices onto the skewers. Add a lemon slice every 2-3 pieces of pork.
    • Heat a grill pan, griddle pan, or your outdoor grill on a medium-high heat.
    • Place the skewers onto the hot cooking surface and let cook for 3-5 minutes per side. Grill skewers until they are golden brown and have reached a safe internal temperature of 145° or higher.

    Notes

    What is souvlaki?
    While Souvlaki congers an image of pork cooked and served on skewers, it is actually a reference to the Greek word for skewer. Small boneless pieces of meat are marinated, skewered, and grilled. The grilled meat is usually served right on the skewer or in a pita sandwich. Pork is a traditional choice for Greek souvlaki, however, any kind of meat and even vegetables can be used. 
    How long should I marinate the pork?
    I just haven’t found any benefit to letting meat sit in a marinade for hours and hours. You also run the risk that a highly acidic marinade will degrade your meat quality and make the outer layers mushy. 15-30 minutes is the ideal time for marinating meats.
    Can I get an intensely flavored pork skewer without marinating meat for hours?
    Yes! Rather than let meat sit in marinade for hours or days, use a half and half method. Use half the marinade for before cooking and half for basting. Dividing the souvlaki marinade in advance prevents contamination.
    Coat cubed pork in half the marinade and store covered in a bowl or food storage bag for 15-30 minutes. Discard excess marinade. 
    Cook pork skewers to desired doneness. Drizzle or bush hot souvlaki with the remaining marinade. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to have the most flavorful pork you’ve ever made.
    Diana's Tips For Success
    • If you can’t find the right size piece of pork loin at the meat counter, substitute a package of pork loin chops. They are cut from the pork loin, and seem to be easier to find at some markets.
    • Make sure the pan or grill is hot before cooking the pork skewers. A hot grill will guarantee nice color and a good sear to keep the natural juices in the meat.
    • Cook the pork to an internal temperature of 145° for a nice medium doneness.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1238mg | Potassium: 606mg | Vitamin C: 13.9mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @DianDeliciousB or tag #DeliciousByDesign!

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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Alisha Rodrigues says

      February 27, 2019 at 6:01 am

      Who doesn't love pork skewers?? !! My family is crazy about these. And the marinade looks easy with no much drama

      Reply
    2. Andrea says

      February 27, 2019 at 7:47 am

      Ohh they look amazing! Last time I had souvlaki I was in Rhodos, and I've been craving it ever since! Thank you so much for sharing, my family will go absolutely crazy over this!

      Reply
    3. Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says

      February 27, 2019 at 8:07 am

      That is such a great dinned idea! I love grilled meat and Mediterranean food. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Jane says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:18 am

      Damn, these look fab! We are having some unseasonably warm weather atm, this makes me want to fire up the grill!

      Reply
    5. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:53 am

      These would go down a treat in my house, we all really enjoy pork. Might have to give these a go, always looking for new dishes to try with the family. Y

      Reply
      • Skizzid says

        February 28, 2022 at 11:24 am

        5 stars
        I love lotsa garlic, and I love lemon juice, but the acidity scoffs the garlic before I do, so I've been using sumac.

        Reply
    6. Belinda Figueroa says

      September 29, 2021 at 7:10 am

      Your recipes are amazing thank you

      Reply
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    I’m passionate about the family dinner table. Connecting with each other at the end of the day over a good meal creates strong family bonds and healthy long-lasting relationships. I want to help families and friends build those relationships.

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