Authentic Greek Souvla Recipe – Juicy Mediterranean Pork Skewers

Greek Souvla Recipe is a traditional Mediterranean-style dish built around large chunks of juicy pork, lemon, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and simple seasoning. Unlike smaller souvlaki skewers, souvla usually uses larger pieces of meat cooked slowly over charcoal or on a grill until deeply browned outside and tender inside. The result is smoky, savory, and full of bright Greek flavor.

This Greek Souvla Recipe is perfect for summer cookouts, family gatherings, weekend grilling, or any meal where you want something rustic and satisfying. Serve it with warm pita, lemon potatoes, Greek salad, tzatziki, or roasted vegetables for a complete Mediterranean feast.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Marinating Time: 2 to 4 hours
Cook Time: 35 to 45 minutes
Total Time: About 3 to 5 hours
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean

Ingredients

For the Pork

3 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into large 1 1/2 to 2-inch cubes

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon dried thyme

5 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander, optional

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For Grilling

1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing

Fresh lemon wedges

Fresh parsley

Extra dried oregano

For Serving

Warm pita bread

Tzatziki sauce

Greek salad

Roasted potatoes

Sliced red onion

Tomatoes and cucumber

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Greek Souvla Recipe delivers bold flavor with very simple ingredients. Lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil create a marinade that complements the richness of pork without overpowering it.

Another reason to love Greek Souvla Recipe is the texture. The larger pieces of pork stay juicy in the center while the outside develops caramelized, smoky edges.

It is also an excellent recipe for entertaining because the skewers can be prepared ahead and grilled just before serving.

How to Make Authentic Greek Souvla

Step 1: Cut the Pork

Trim away any very large pieces of excess fat, but leave some marbling because it helps keep the pork juicy.

Cut the meat into large cubes, approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

Keeping the pieces larger than standard kebab meat gives Greek Souvla Recipe its traditional look and helps prevent the pork from drying out during grilling.

Step 2: Make the Marinade

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, black pepper, coriander, and red pepper flakes if using.

The marinade should smell fresh, garlicky, and citrusy.

Add the pork and toss until every piece is evenly coated.

Step 3: Marinate the Pork

Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

For deeper flavor, marinate for 4 hours.

Avoid leaving the pork in the lemon-heavy marinade overnight because too much acid can begin to affect the texture.

Greek Souvla Recipe gets the best balance of flavor and tenderness from a moderate marinating time.

Step 4: Prepare the Skewers

If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.

For a more traditional style, use long metal skewers.

Thread the pork onto the skewers, leaving a small amount of space between the chunks.

Do not pack the meat too tightly because air circulation helps Greek Souvla Recipe brown more evenly.

Step 5: Preheat the Grill

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.

If using charcoal, arrange the coals so you have a steady, moderate heat rather than extremely high flames.

Lightly oil the grill grates.

Traditional souvla is often cooked slowly over charcoal, so moderate heat works better than a very hot grill.

Step 6: Grill Slowly

Place the skewers over the heat.

Cook for 35 to 45 minutes, turning every 5 to 7 minutes so all sides brown evenly.

Brush lightly with olive oil if the surface begins to look dry.

Greek Souvla Recipe should develop crisp, golden edges while remaining juicy inside.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest pork pieces.

The internal temperature should reach at least 145°F or 63°C, followed by a short rest.

If you prefer the pork more tender and well rendered, pork shoulder can comfortably cook a little beyond that point.

Step 8: Rest the Meat

Transfer the skewers to a platter and loosely cover with foil.

Let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

Resting helps the juices redistribute and gives Greek Souvla Recipe a more tender texture.

Step 9: Finish and Serve

Squeeze fresh lemon over the hot pork.

Sprinkle with parsley and a little extra oregano.

Serve Greek Souvla Recipe with pita, tzatziki, salad, potatoes, or grilled vegetables.

Serving Suggestions

Greek Souvla Recipe is especially good with warm pita bread and a generous spoonful of tzatziki.

For a classic Greek-style plate, add lemon roasted potatoes, cucumber tomato salad, red onion, olives, and feta.

Rice, couscous, or grilled vegetables also work well.

You can also remove the pork from the skewers and serve it inside pita wraps with lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and yogurt sauce.

For another Mediterranean-style meal, try our Mediterranean Chicken Tzatziki Flatbread with fresh toppings and creamy tzatziki.

Recipe Tips

Use pork shoulder instead of very lean pork loin for better moisture and flavor.

Cut the pieces evenly so they finish cooking at the same time.

Do not overcrowd the skewers.

Marinate for several hours, but avoid overnight marinating with lots of lemon juice.

Cook Greek Souvla Recipe over medium heat rather than very high heat.

Turn the skewers regularly so all sides brown evenly.

Let the meat rest before serving.

Finish with fresh lemon for the brightest flavor.

Easy Variations

For extra garlic flavor, increase the garlic in the marinade.

Greek Souvla Recipe can also be made with lamb if you want a richer, more traditional variation.

Chicken thighs are another good option, although the cooking time will be shorter.

For extra smokiness, add a small amount of smoked paprika.

You can also add rosemary to the marinade for a stronger herb flavor.

For spicy souvla, add more red pepper flakes or a small pinch of cayenne.

You may also enjoy our Crispy Zucchini Cheese Fritters Recipe with Herb Dip as an easy Mediterranean appetizer or side dish.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Greek Souvla Recipe is easy to prepare ahead for parties or family meals.

Cut the pork and prepare the marinade several hours before grilling.

Keep the marinated meat covered in the refrigerator.

You can also thread the meat onto skewers up to a few hours ahead and refrigerate them on a covered tray.

Remove the skewers from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before grilling so they are not extremely cold.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftover Greek Souvla Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Remove the pork from the skewers before storing if that is easier.

Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth, or warm it in a covered dish in the oven.

Microwaving works in a hurry, but use short intervals so the pork does not become dry.

Leftover meat is also excellent in wraps, salads, grain bowls, or sandwiches.

Nutrition Information

Approximate nutrition per serving:

Calories: 430
Protein: 39 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g
Fat: 29 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 560 mg

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary depending on the pork cut, marinade, and serving size.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between souvla and souvlaki?

Souvlaki usually uses smaller pieces of meat cooked quickly on small skewers. Greek Souvla Recipe uses larger chunks that are traditionally cooked more slowly over charcoal.

What pork cut is best?

Pork shoulder is ideal because it has enough fat to stay juicy during the longer grilling time.

Can I cook this in the oven?

Yes. Arrange the skewers over a roasting tray and cook at 400°F or 200°C, turning several times until browned and cooked through.

Can I use chicken?

Yes. Chicken thighs are a good substitute and stay juicy on the grill. Adjust the cooking time because chicken cooks faster than pork shoulder.

Can I make it without skewers?

Yes. You can grill the large pork chunks directly in a grill basket or cook them on a grill pan.

What sauce goes best with it?

Tzatziki is the classic choice, but garlic yogurt sauce, tahini sauce, or a simple lemon-herb dressing also work well.

Is this good for meal prep?

Yes. Greek Souvla Recipe keeps well and can be reheated for wraps, salads, and rice bowls.

Final Thoughts

Authentic Greek Souvla Recipe – Juicy Mediterranean Pork Skewers is a rustic grilling recipe built around simple ingredients and slow, careful cooking. Pork shoulder, lemon, garlic, oregano, olive oil, and herbs create a deeply flavorful meal with smoky edges and a juicy center.

Greek Souvla Recipe is ideal for outdoor cooking, relaxed family dinners, or Mediterranean-style gatherings. It pairs easily with pita, tzatziki, salads, potatoes, rice, and roasted vegetables.

Whether you cook it over charcoal or on a standard grill, Greek Souvla Recipe delivers bold Greek flavor, tender pork, and the kind of simple preparation that makes it easy to serve again and again.