Souvlakia (Cypriot Pork Skewers)
Local name: Σουβλάκια
In short: Cubes of pork marinated in lemon, olive oil and oregano, threaded on skewers and grilled over charcoal until charred, then tucked into warm pita. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 670 kcal
In Cyprus, souvlakia means chunks of pork on a long skewer, grilled over charcoal and eaten in a warm pita with tomato, onion and parsley. A good souvlaki is simple: pork shoulder with enough fat to stay juicy, a short marinade of lemon, olive oil and dried oregano, and a hot fire. Families cook them on weekends and holidays, while snack bars make them to order at any hour. The pork is usually grilled well done, with a charred edge.
Instructions
- Whisk the oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the pork and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 12.
- If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Thread 4 cubes of pork onto each of 8 skewers, leaving a little space between the pieces.
- Heat a charcoal grill until the coals are covered in gray ash, or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Oil the grate lightly.
- Grill the skewers for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until browned with charred edges and cooked through to at least 71°C (160°F).
- Warm the pita on the grill for 30 seconds per side. Rest the skewers for 3 minutes.
- Slide the pork off the skewers into the pita, add tomato, onion and parsley, and a spoonful of talattouri if you like. Squeeze over some lemon and fold up.
Tips
- Use shoulder, not loin. The extra fat keeps the cubes juicy over high heat.
- No grill? Cook the skewers under a very hot broiler, about 8 cm (3 in) from the heat, for 12 to 14 minutes, turning once.
Questions and answers
Can I marinate souvlakia overnight?
Yes, for up to 12 hours. Longer than that and the lemon juice can make the surface of the meat soft and mushy.
What is the difference between souvlakia and sheftalia?
Souvlakia are cubes of pork on a skewer, while sheftalia are seasoned minced pork parcels wrapped in caul fat. Both are grilled and often share a meze table.
Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Yes. Use boneless thighs cut into similar cubes and grill them for about 10 minutes, until they reach 74°C (165°F).
How long does it take to make Souvlakia (Cypriot Pork Skewers)?
About 35 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Souvlakia (Cypriot Pork Skewers)?
About 670 kcal per serving, with 43 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 38 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 670 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 43 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 38 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
