Greek Souvlaki with Tzatziki

About This Recipe

Souvlaki (σουβλάκι) is Greece's most beloved fast food and one of the Mediterranean's greatest simple pleasures. Marinated in olive oil, lemon and oregano, the meat is grilled until perfectly charred, then wrapped in warm soft pita with cooling tzatziki, sliced tomato, red onion and a scattering of paprika. It's eaten standing up, walking through Athens, Thessaloniki or any Greek village at midnight. It's an experience as much as a meal.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 700 gpork neck or chicken thighs(cut into 3cm cubes)
• 4 tbspextra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbspfresh lemon juice
• 1 tbspdried oregano
• 4 clovesgarlic(minced)
• 1 tspsalt
• 1 tspblack pepper
• 4soft pita breads(warmed)
• 2ripe tomatoes(sliced)
• 1red onion(thinly sliced)
• 200 gGreek yoghurt (full fat)
• 1cucumber (small)(grated, squeezed dry)
• 2 clovesgarlic(for tzatziki, minced)
• 1 tbspfresh dill or mint(for tzatziki)
• 1 tbsplemon juice(for tzatziki)

Instructions

1. 1

   Marinate the meat

   Combine olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper. Add meat and massage well. Marinate minimum 1 hour (overnight is best).

2. 2

   Make tzatziki

   Grate cucumber, squeeze out all water using a clean cloth or fist. Combine with yoghurt, garlic, dill, lemon juice and olive oil. Season well. Refrigerate 30 minutes minimum.

   Squeezing the cucumber completely dry is essential — water makes tzatziki runny.

3. 3

   Thread skewers

   Thread marinated meat onto metal skewers (or pre-soaked wooden skewers), about 5–6 cubes per skewer.

4. 4

   Grill over high heat

   Grill skewers on a hot grill pan, barbecue or under a hot grill. Cook 10–12 minutes, turning every 2–3 minutes until nicely charred and cooked through.

5. 5

   Assemble the wrap

   Warm pita briefly in a pan or oven. Spread generously with tzatziki. Add souvlaki (slid off the skewer), tomato slices and red onion. Wrap tightly in parchment or foil. Eat immediately.

Variations

• •

  Souvlaki Kalamaki: smaller skewers in Athens style, eaten off the stick without pita.

• •

  Gyros: a variation using meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit — the Greek counterpart to shawarma.

Storage

Marinated meat keeps 24 hours refrigerated. Tzatziki keeps 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions