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Pork souvlaki
Σουβλάκι χοιρινό (souvlaki choirino): lemon-oregano pork skewers with pitta, tzatziki and tomato
GreekThis is a pork recipe. Walk through any Greek town after dark, from Athens to Thessaloniki, and the smell of souvlaki stands drifts down the street; cubes of pork shoulder grilled on thin skewers are the country's favourite cheap supper, eaten standing up or at a plastic-table taverna. At home you marinate the meat in lemon, olive oil, garlic and dried oregano, grill it hard and fast, and pile it on warm pitta with tzatziki, tomato and red onion. Chef's tip: cut the pork into even 2.5 cm cubes and leave a little fat on; lean loin dries out, shoulder stays juicy over high heat.
- Total time
- 32 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
For the pork
- 1 ¾ lb boneless pork shouldercut into 2.5 cm cubes
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cloves garliccrushed
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
To serve
- 4 pitta breadsGreek-style, thick
- 7 oz tzatziki
- 2 tomatoessliced
- 1 red onionthinly sliced
- 4 lemon wedges (optional)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put the 1 ¾ lb boneless pork shoulder in a bowl with 4 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tsp dried oregano and ½ tsp black pepper (keep the 1 tsp salt for later, so it doesn't draw out the juices). Toss well, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight, never at room temperature.
5 minStep 2: If you use wooden skewers, soak 8 of them in water for 30 minutes so they don't burn. Wash your hands and the board after handling the raw pork.
30 minStep 3: Thread the pork onto the skewers, 5–6 cubes each, pushed together but not squashed. Sprinkle with the salt just before cooking.
5 minStep 4: Heat a grill, barbecue or griddle pan until very hot. Cook the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until browned and charred at the edges. A common mistake is crowding the pan: the pork then steams grey instead of browning, so cook in batches.
12 minStep 5: Check a thick cube: the pork is done when it reaches 160°F in the centre and the juices run clear. Rest the skewers on a warm plate for 3 minutes.
3 minStep 6: Warm the 4 pitta breads on the grill for 30 seconds a side, brushed with a little oil. Spread with 7 oz tzatziki, slide the pork off the skewers onto it and top with 2 tomatoes, 1 red onion and a squeeze of 4 lemon wedges. Fold and eat at once.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 620 kcal
- Protein
- 42 g
- Carbs
- 45 g
- Fat
- 30 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does pork souvlaki take?
- About 32 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 12 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of garlic?
- ½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
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