Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki
Tender pork marinated in lemon, garlic, and oregano, grilled on skewers and served with a refreshing cucumber-yogurt tzatziki sauce. This greek-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, lemon juice, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 6 wooden skewers, soaked
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for tzatziki)
- 1/4 tsp salt (for tzatziki)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb 1-inch cubed pork shoulder with 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare tzatziki by mixing 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup grated and well-drained cucumber, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tsp white vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp salt in a small bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Grill the pork skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until charred in spots and cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Step 5: Serve the hot pork souvlaki skewers with chilled tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lemon juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Traditional Pork Souvlaki Skewers with Tzatziki?
Greek pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
