Souvlaki Recipes & Styles You Should Try in Mediterranean Restaurants

If you love Greek food, then you’ve probably had your fair share of different souvlaki recipes. But did you know that there are many different ways to make this dish? 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular ones from around Greece. Even better, different authentic restaurants also get to replicate them. This way, you always have ways to enjoy this awesome Greek treat. Let’s begin…

What are some of the famous Greek dishes? 

• Souvlaki – grilled meat skewers, typically chicken or pork, served with pita bread, salad, and yoghurt sauce.
• Gyro – a sandwich made with thinly sliced meat (usually lamb or chicken) cooked on a rotating spit, served in a pita with tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki sauce.
• Moussaka – a baked dish made with eggplant, ground meat (usually lamb), and a creamy bechamel sauce
• Spanakopita – a savoury pastry made with spinach and feta cheese filling, wrapped in phyllo dough.
• Baklava – a sweet pastry made with layers of filo dough filled with chopped nuts and held together with syrup or honey.
• Tiropita – a savoury pastry made with feta cheese filling, wrapped in phyllo dough.
• Dolma – stuffed vine leaves (can also be made with peppers, eggplant, and other vegetables).
• Keftedes – fried meatballs typically made with ground lamb or beef.

Introduction to souvlaki 

Souvlaki is a delicious Greek dish that can be made with chicken, lamb, or beef. The meat is cooked on a skewer and then grilled or roasted. It is often served with a yoghurt-based sauce, vegetables, and pita bread. 

Souvlaki is a popular dish in Greece and is often eaten as a main meal or as a snack. It is also popular in other parts of the Mediterranean, such as Turkey and Lebanon. Let’s get into this more, shall we?

History 

Souvlaki is a popular Greek dish that consists of small pieces of meat with an interesting history. It is usually lamb or chicken that is skewered and grilled. The word souvlaki comes from the Greek word for a skewer. This dish is believed to have originated in the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul) during the Byzantine era.

Such an awesome speciality made its way to Greece during the Ottoman Empire and quickly became a popular street food. Today, you can find souvlaki stands all over Greece often served with pita bread, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and onion.

Health benefits 

As discussed, souvlaki is a type of Greek dish that typically consists of small pieces of meat that are skewered and grilled. This is served with pita bread, salad, and tzatziki sauce. It can also act as a main course with rice or potatoes.

Needless to say, there are a lot of health benefits when you eat souvlaki. The pieces of meat used are usually lean and high in protein. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking to build muscle or lose weight. In addition, grilled meat is a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants.

The vegetables used are also packed with nutrients. Tomatoes, for example, are an excellent source of lycopene. It is known to reduce the risk of several types of cancer.

Overall, souvlaki is a healthy and delicious dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. So if you’re ever in Greece, be sure to try it! And if you can’t make it to Greece, you can always try them at some of the best restaurants like Miss Pickle 1971.

Different recipes 

Greek lamb souvlaki 

1. Preheat a grill or griddle pan to medium-high heat.
2. To make the lamb souvlaki, thread the lamb onto skewers. Make sure to soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before getting started with grilling. Doing this prevents them from burning. Grill or cook the lamb for about 5 minutes per side or until evenly browned and cooked through.
3. To make the tzatziki sauce, mix the yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and dill in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Serve the lamb souvlaki with the tzatziki sauce and your favourite toppings or sides. Enjoy!

Chicken souvlaki 

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. To make the marinade, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Place chicken in a large securely sealed bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag and massage it until the chicken is evenly coated with the marinade.
4. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours if you have the time.
5. When you’re ready to cook, thread the chicken onto the soaked wooden skewers.
6. Grill the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes per side or until cooked through.

Spicy pork souvlaki 

1. Preheat the oven to about 375 for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure that it is hot and warmed up enough.
2. In a roasting pan, combine pork, olive oil, garlic, onion, and lemon juice.
3. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. When pork is finished cooking, remove it from the oven and sprinkle it with the spice mixture.
6. Serve with pita bread and yoghurt sauce.

Souvlaki bowl 

1. Preheat to about 375 F or depending on how your specific oven works to be sure.
2. Cut up your chicken or lamb into bite-sized pieces.
3. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices.
4. Spread the meat onto a baking sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, prepare your vegetables. Dice up some tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers into small pieces.
6. Once the meat is cooked, let it cool slightly. Then you may add it to a large bowl along with the vegetables.
7. Add in some feta cheese and olives, if desired.
8. Pour on some tzatziki sauce or Greek dressing.

Miss Pickle 1971 serves the best souvlaki in town! 

If you’re looking for the best souvlaki in town, there is Miss Pickle 1971. This cosy spot serves up some of the most delicious and authentic Greek food you’ll ever taste.

Even better, there are at least three locations. Now, you know you are never too far from the best souvlaki waiting to be devoured. This dish is a perfect meal to enjoy any time and any day. Miss Pickle 1971 is worth a visit!

In conclusion 

So, there you have it! These are just some of the scrumptious souvlaki recipes. Everything has its unique character and flavour. Whether you’re in the mood for traditional Greek-style souvlaki or something adventurous, there’s a recipe for it. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking! If you’re lazy, then visit Miss Pickle 1971 for some of the best Greek dishes you can ever have.

Visit Miss Pickle 1971 Restaurants:

Knox City | Glen Waverly | Casey Central | Point Cook