Pork Souvlaki Recipe

Pork shoulder: A flavorful cut of meat that is perfect for grilling.

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps to marinate the pork.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides a robust flavor.

Lemon juice: Adds a bright, tangy note to the marinade.

Dried oregano: Brings an authentic Greek flavor to the dish.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the marinade.

Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.

When marinating the pork cubes, ensure they are evenly coated by massaging the marinade into the meat. This helps the flavors penetrate deeper, resulting in a more flavorful souvlaki. Additionally, if you have the time, let the pork marinate for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. This extended marination process will further enhance the taste and tenderness of the meat.

• pork shoulder - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is leaner and will absorb the marinade flavors well, making it a suitable alternative for a lighter version of the dish.

• pork shoulder - Substitute with lamb shoulder: Lamb shoulder has a similar texture and richness, providing a flavorful and tender result similar to pork.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative for grilling and marinating.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients in the marinade.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a good alternative for the marinade.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a slightly different but complementary herbal flavor that works well in Mediterranean dishes.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory umami flavor and also provide the necessary saltiness to the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different heat profile but can still provide the necessary spiciness to the marinade.

• Allow the pork souvlaki to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the meat soggy.

• Transfer the cooled pork cubes into an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. If using a bag, try to remove as much air as possible to maintain freshness.

• Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of how long it has been stored.

• Store the pork souvlaki in the refrigerator if you plan to consume it within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer.

• When freezing, consider portioning the pork souvlaki into meal-sized servings. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.

• To reheat refrigerated pork souvlaki, you can use a microwave, oven, or stovetop. If using a microwave, cover the meat with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.

• For reheating in the oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C) and place the pork souvlaki on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.

• If reheating from frozen, it’s best to thaw the pork souvlaki in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. This ensures even heating and maintains the texture of the meat.

• Avoid reheating pork souvlaki multiple times, as this can dry out the meat and diminish its flavor.

• Serve reheated pork souvlaki with fresh pita bread, tzatziki, and a side salad to recreate the original meal experience.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pork souvlaki on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
  3. Cover the pork with another piece of foil to keep it moist.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pork is warmed through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil to the pan.
  3. Place the pork souvlaki in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is heated through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the pork souvlaki on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Grill Method:

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Place the pork souvlaki back on the grill.
  3. Grill for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is heated through and slightly charred again.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the pork souvlaki in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper with the pork cubes for marinating.

• Garlic press: A tool to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper accurately.

• Knife: A sharp knife to cut the pork shoulder into 1-inch cubes.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely cut the pork shoulder.

• Skewers: Used to thread the marinated pork cubes for grilling.

• Grill: A medium-high heat grill to cook the pork skewers until they are done and slightly charred.

• Tongs: Used to turn the skewers on the grill for even cooking.

• Serving platter: A large plate to serve the cooked pork souvlaki with pita bread, tzatziki, and a side salad.

Prepare the marinade in advance: Mix the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper the night before to save time on the day of cooking.

Use pre-cut pork: Buy pork shoulder already cut into cubes to skip the cutting step.

Quick marination: If short on time, marinate the pork in a sealed bag and massage it to ensure even coating, reducing marination time.

Preheat the grill: Start preheating the grill while you thread the pork onto skewers to save time.

Assemble skewers ahead: Thread the marinated pork onto skewers in advance and refrigerate until ready to grill.