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Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

Greek Pork Souvlaki with a Smoky Garlic Marinade

Modified: Jul 15, 2026 · Published: Jun 19, 2025 by Estefania · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment
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Greek pork souvlaki is made with pork tenderloin marinated in white wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and smoked paprika, then grilled on skewers until juicy with lightly charred edges. It is an easy make-ahead recipe that cooks in minutes once the pork has marinated.

Recipe
Greek pork souvlaki skewers with charred grilled pork, sliced tomatoes, warm pita, and a bowl of tzatziki on a plate

Why You'll Love My Greek Pork Souvlaki

  • Bold, Balanced Marinade: Vinegar, garlic, herbs, cumin, and smoked paprika give the pork a bright, smoky flavor.  
  • Juicy with Charred Edges: Tenderloin cooks quickly, staying juicy while browning beautifully outside.  
  • Grill It Anywhere: Use an outdoor grill or a stovetop griddle pan.  
  • Easy to Prepare Ahead: Marinate for 2 hours or overnight, then skewer and grill. 

Pork souvlaki is one of those meals that takes me straight back to the simple food I grew up enjoying. Whether it was cooked in the backyard or on a stovetop grill pan, the smell of garlic, herbs, and pork always made the meal feel familiar before it even reached the table. I still like to serve it the same uncomplicated way, with warm pita and creamy tzatziki, letting the juicy pork stay at the center of the plate. That relaxed combination of grilled meat, pita, and cool sauce also ties it naturally to my Greek chicken souvlaki and Greek chicken gyros. 

What I love most about this Greek pork souvlaki is the contrast between its bright marinade and smoky grilled finish. White wine vinegar brings a clean tang, while garlic, oregano, thyme, cumin, and smoked paprika give the pork a warm, savory flavor. The tenderloin remains soft and juicy in the middle, but quick cooking over medium-high heat creates lightly crisp, charred edges on the outside. Letting the pork marinate for at least 2 hours gives those flavors time to coat every piece before the short cooking time. That balance of acidity and savory herbs is also present in my Greek lemon chicken, while Greek lemon mustard potatoes make a natural side because their bright flavor complements the smoky pork. 

Greek pork souvlaki skewers with grilled pork, tomato slices, red onion rings, warm pita wedges, and tzatziki on a plate

Key Ingredients in Greek Pork Souvlaki

These ingredients work together to create the bold flavor and juicy texture that make this recipe so satisfying.

  • Pork Tenderloin: I use pork tenderloin because it is naturally tender and cooks quickly without needing a long time on the grill.  
  • White Wine Vinegar and Olive Oil: The vinegar brings a clean tang, while the extra virgin olive oil helps the marinade coat every piece of pork.  
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the skewers their deep savory flavor. I mix it directly into the marinade so it reaches every bite.  
  • Herbs and Spices: Oregano, thyme, cumin, and smoked paprika create the warm, lightly smoky flavor that makes this version distinctive. 

How to Make Greek Pork Souvlaki

Follow these four simple steps to marinate, skewer, and grill the pork. You can find the full printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Greek Pork Souvlaki

1. Prep the Greek Pork Souvlaki Marinade:  Cut the pork tenderloin into chunks and toss with a marinade of garlic, white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and spices.

2. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor.

3. Skewer the Pork: Thread the marinated pork onto skewers and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before grilling.

4. Grill and Serve: Grill over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through and lightly charred. Serve hot. 

Greek pork souvlaki skewers with charred grilled pork, sliced tomatoes, lemon wedges, and a bowl of tzatziki on a plate

Tips for Greek Pork Souvlaki

Marinate Ahead: When I have time, I leave the pork in the marinade overnight so the garlic, herbs, and spices taste more pronounced.  

Preheat the Cooking Surface: A properly heated grill or griddle pan helps the pork develop charred edges without requiring a long cooking time.  

Leave a Little Space: Avoid pressing the pork pieces tightly together. A small gap helps the heat reach the sides instead of steaming the meat.  

Use a Griddle Pan Indoors: I use a stovetop griddle pan when outdoor grilling is not practical. It still gives the pork a good sear and a lightly smoky finish. 

Storage

I keep leftover pork souvlaki in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It is handy for making quick wraps or adding to a salad the following day.

What to Serve With Greek Pork Souvlaki

I like to keep the plate simple with warm pita, creamy tzatziki, tomato slices, red onion, and lemon wedges. For a more substantial meal, I add Greek lemon mustard potatoes and let their bright, savory pan juices complement the smoky pork. 

Try These Greek Recipes Next!

  • Greek Chicken Souvlaki
    Greek Chicken Souvlaki
  • Greek lemon chicken cutlets in a skillet topped with chopped parsley and lemon slices.
    Greek Lemon Chicken Recipe
  • Greek sheet pan chicken thighs with roasted zucchini, red onion, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta in a baking dish.
    Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
  • Greek chicken gyros wrap with grilled marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce in warm flatbread
    Greek Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki
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Recipe

Greek Pork Souvlaki

Greek Pork Souvlaki

These Greek pork souvlaki skewers combine tender pork with a tangy garlic, herb, and smoked-paprika marinade. They cook quickly on the grill, developing juicy centers and lightly charred edges.
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greece, Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
Marinate & Rest Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 396
Author: Estefania

Ingredients 
 

  • 600 g pork tenderloin - cut into bite-size pieces
  • 40 ml white wine vinegar
  • 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic - minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
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Instructions

  • Place 600 g pork tenderloin, cut into evenly sized bite-size pieces, in a large bowl.  
  • Prepare the Greek pork souvlaki marinade by adding 2 cloves garlic , minced, 40 ml white wine vinegar, 50 ml extra virgin olive oil, ½ tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp ground black pepper, and ½ tsp granulated sugar. Toss thoroughly until every piece of pork is coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.  
  • Remove the marinated pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling. Thread the pieces onto skewers, leaving a little space between them so the heat can reach the sides.
  • Preheat an outdoor grill or griddle pan over medium-high heat. Arrange the pork souvlaki skewers on the hot surface and grill for 2-3 minutes per side, turning until the pork is cooked through with lightly charred edges.  
  • Transfer the grilled pork skewers to a serving plate and rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot with warm pita, creamy tzatziki, and tomato slices. 

Notes

Keep the Pork Pieces Even: I cut the tenderloin into similar bite-size pieces so the smaller ones do not dry out while the larger pieces finish cooking.  
Keep the Sugar in the Marinade: The small amount of granulated sugar balances the sharp white wine vinegar without making the pork taste sweet. It also helps the edges develop color on the grill.  
Watch the Pork Closely: Pork tenderloin is lean and cooks quickly, so I check the skewers after 2–3 minutes on each side. The outside should be lightly charred while the center remains juicy.  
Rest Before Removing from the Skewers: I let the pork rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices settle and keeps the meat tender when it is removed from the skewers. 

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 884mg | Potassium: 888mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1220IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.

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Comments

  1. Susana says

    June 19, 2025 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    This Greek pork souvlaki recipe turned out amazing! The pork was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, definitely one of the best souvlaki pork dishes I’ve made at home.

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5 from 1 vote

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Hi, I'm Estefania!

I love to cook simple & easy recipes that are inspired by my Spanish culture and travel around the world. For simple and easy recipes with an occasional twist, you’re in the right place!

About Me

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