• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Greek Foodie logo

  • MY GREEK PANTRY
  • ABOUT
    • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Hello!
  • My Greek Pantry
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Eat Like A Greek » Greek Souvlaki With Pita

    Greek Souvlaki With Pita

    Last updated December 22, 2021. Originally posted March 21, 2021 By Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves. 28 Comments.

    Share
    Pin
    Share
    Email
    Tweet
    Yum
    WhatsApp
    688 Shares
    Go to Recipe Print Recipe

    This delicious authentic souvlaki recipe has juicy, tender pork, homemade Greek pita bread, tzatziki sauce, and lots of aromatics.

    A plate with fillings for Greek souvlaki, a tzatziki bowl and tomato salad.

    What is souvlaki?

    It is the closest thing Greeks have to fast food and it is probably a much healthier option than the various fast food burger versions you find in the US because it is always made with fresh ingredients.

    Souvlaki consists of small pieces of meat grilled usually on a skewer or as gyro, (meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie) wrapped in pita with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce.

    What kind of meat is used for souvlaki?

    The meat used in Greece is pork, although chicken, beef, and lamb may also be used. Every souvlaki shop makes its own meat marinade, tzatziki sauce, and cut-up tomato wedges. There is no prefabricated gyro; they always make their own. The cooking oil is always olive oil no matter where you go. And the fries are always from real potatoes, no prefab there.

    Two souvlaki wrapped in paper on a plate.

    This is a souvlaki gyro pita recipe

    This is my version of making souvlaki with gyro and pita at home. I marinate very thin pieces of pork in a souvlaki marinade for 30 min to an hour, I grill each piece on the stove for 1-2 minutes. I cut tomatoes, slice onions, and some feta cheese, and mix them together to add to the souvlaki.

    Homemade pitas are amazing and make this souvlaki recipe great but I also use store-bought Greek pitas in a pinch.

    The tzatziki sauce is an essential sauce for souvlaki. It is super easy to make, and it is so aromatic and fresh.

    French fries can be included in a souvlaki although not necessary. It's a matter of preference.

    Ingredients for souvlaki with gyro & pita

    For the souvlaki marinade

    • Butterflied boneless porkloin chops
    • Onions 
    • Fresh herb sprigs like rosemary, thyme or oregano.
    • Garlic
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Honey
    • White wine vinegar
    • Sea salt
    • Freshly ground pepper

    for the filling

    • Greek pita breads (flatbreads)
    • Tomatoes
    • Greek feta cheese (optional)
    • Onion slices
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • White wine vinegar
    • Dry oregano
    • Sea salt
    • Tzatziki sauce
    Pork marinating in olive oil with fresh herbs, onions and garlic.

    In a bowl, mix fresh herb sprigs, onion & garlic slices, olive oil, vinegar, honey, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Place meat in a large pan and add the marinade. I like to massage the meat a little with the marinade mixture. Cover with a towel and let it marinate from 30 minutes to an hour.

    Pork loin strips grilling

    Heat a grill pan or cast iron pan. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. When oil is very hot grill a few pieces at a time for 1-2 minutes tops.

    Don't overcrowd the pan, the pieces will boil instead of grill if you do.

    A bowl with tomatoes, onion and feta cheese.

    Cut up the tomatoes in slim wedges, thinly slice up half an onion and cut some feta in small cubes(or crumble). Sprinkle a little dry oregano. Season with a pinch of sea salt, some pepper, a teaspoon of olive oil, and a dash of white wine vinegar. Mix together and let it sit for 30 minutes.

    Feta is not traditionally in the souvlaki but I love adding it in. I love the tangy flavor it brings.

    A bowl with greek tzatziki sauce.

    Making tzatziki is super easy. You mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, some dill, a splash of white wine vinegar and you are done. You can also purchase it from your local grocery store. I like the Cedars brand.

    A few minutes before you are ready to serve warm up your pitas. You can either place them on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350 F oven for a few minutes or grill them on the same pan you used for the meat. Whatever method you choose, make sure to brush a little olive oil on the pitas before warming.

    How to assemble a souvlaki.

    Place a pita on a piece of parchment paper. Right in the center, add some meat pieces. Add some tomato-onion mix and a couple of tablespoons of tzatziki sauce. You can also add a couple of French fries if you like. Roll up your souvlaki securely with the help of parchment paper. Fold the end bit so your sauces won't drip at the end. Souvlaki is ready to eat.

    You can also opt-out of rolling up your souvlaki and enjoy it open-faced.

    A plate with fillings for Greek souvlaki, a tzatziki bowl and tomato salad.
    Two souvlaki wrapped in paper on a plate.

    You may also like

    • Greek meatballs or keftedes can also be wrapped like souvlaki!
    • This spatchcock Greek lemon chicken has lots of garlic, lemon & fresh herbs.
    • Delicious lemon potatoes are the perfect side to anything grilled.

    Check out my Greek pantry staples 

    Cooked this? Rate this recipe! You can also leave a comment below. I love hearing from you!

    WANT TO EAT LIKE A GREEK? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

    A pita bread with pork, tzatziki, tomatoes and onions.

    Authentic Greek souvlaki

    by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
    Souvlaki gyro with tender pork, Greek pita bread, tzatziki sauce and lots of aromatics.
    4.95 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Greek
    Servings 4
    Calories 529 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    the meat and marinade

    • 1 lbs butterflied boneless porkloin chops sliced in ½ inch strips
    • ½ onion thinly sliced
    • 2-3 Fresh herb sprigs like rosemary, thyme or oregano.
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • ½ cup of olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • ⅔ cup white wine vinegar
    • sea salt
    • freshly ground pepper

    for the filling

    • 2 ripe tomatoes
    • ½ cup Greek feta cheese cut in small cubes or crumbled
    • ½ onion sliced thinly
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
    • dried oregano
    • sea salt
    • ½ cup tzatziki sauce

    Instructions
     

    marinate the meat

    • In a bowl mix fresh herbs, onion slices, olive oil, vinegar, honey, and a pinch or two of salt and pepper. Place meat in a large pan and add the marinade. I like to massage the meat a little with the marinade mixture. Cover with aluminum foil and let it marinate from 3-4 hours to overnight in the fridge.
    • Take it out of the refrigerator ½ hour ahead of cooking so it can get to room temperature.

    make the tomato & onion filling

    • Cut the tomatoes into thin slices, add them to a medium bowl. Add the sliced onion, and the crumbled feta cheese. Season with sea salt to taste. Sprinkle some dried oregano. Drizzle olive oil and a tsp or so of red wine vinegar. 
    • Mix well but gently and let it sit for at least half an hour ahead of the souvlaki assembly.

    cook the meat

    • Add 2-3 tbs of olive oil to a cast-iron grilling pan or the pan of your choice. Let it heat up almost to the point of smoke. add the meat 2-3 slices at a time. You don't want to add more because the temperature will go down and the meat will boil instead of the grill. 
    • Cook meat for 2-3 minutes for each side. I always do a test drive; cooking time changes depending on how thin my meat slices are.

    right before serving

    • On the same pan, you cooked your meat, clean it lightly with a paper towel, drizzle a little olive oil and grill the pitas to warm them up. This will allow them to get some of that charred, smoked flavor.

    assemble the souvlaki

    • Take a pita bread, add two-three slices of meat, 2-3 full tablespoons of tomato & onion filling, and 2 tbs of tzatziki. Wrap it up in parchment paper just like they do in Greece and enjoy!

    Notes

    • If fresh herbs are not available just use dried ones. You can never go wrong with dry oregano in Greek cuisine 🙂
     
    Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on products used.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 529kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 30gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 421mgPotassium: 652mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 690IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 153mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @thegreekfoodie__ or tag #thegreekfoodie__
    Greek Souvlaki With PitaGreek Souvlaki With PitaGreek Souvlaki With Pita
    Share
    Pin
    Share
    Email
    Tweet
    Yum
    WhatsApp
    688 Shares
    « Greek Dutch Oven Roast Chicken
    Greek Spaghetti With Meat Sauce - Makaronia me Kima »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gloria says

      September 07, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      Sometimes all you want is a great sandwich for dinner. A stuffed pita is perfect. I know this would be a hit in my house.

      Reply
    2. Sandra Shaffer says

      September 08, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect for a the warm evenings we are having in CA. The filling is delicious. I could eat a side of that as well as wrapped with pita.

      Reply
    3. Denise says

      September 10, 2020 at 6:13 pm

      5 stars
      My mouth is watering! Your Souvlaki looks incredible, I can't wait to give this recipe a try! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:35 pm

        Thank you Denise! x Jenny

        Reply
    4. Sharon says

      September 11, 2020 at 6:16 pm

      5 stars
      This authentic meal is just what I want when I'm looking for something different other than burgers or sandwiches. The tzatziki sauce is the perfect topping!

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:35 pm

        Thank you Sharon! x Jenny

        Reply
    5. Kari Alana says

      September 12, 2020 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE Greek food! This has so many flavours I love together so I am going to make this for the weekend.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:34 pm

        Thank you Kari! x Jenny

        Reply
    6. Jo says

      September 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      Souvlaki is my favorite Greek food ever! An amazing dinner option for weekdays. I love the flavors going on in this recipe.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:34 pm

        Thanks so much Jo! x Jenny

        Reply
    7. Marisa F. Stewart says

      September 13, 2020 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      Now this is what I call a sandwich!! Hubby was stationed in Greece and he always talks about the souvlakis he would eat. I'm surprising him with this recipe plus making some homemade pitas. The herbs and feta are just like he remembers.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:33 pm

        Thanks so much Marisa, so glad you liked it! x Jenny

        Reply
    8. Tara says

      September 13, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      5 stars
      So authentic and delicious! The meat was so tender and juicy! I love that all of the ingredients are so fresh and homemade. Definitely a healthier alternative to a burger for sure!

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:33 pm

        Thanks you so much Tara! x Jenny

        Reply
    9. Jamie says

      September 14, 2020 at 3:29 am

      5 stars
      I love Greek food and love trying new recipes so I was super excited to try this. It turned out delicious and my family already asked for it again. THank you!

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        Thanks so much Jamie, so glad you liked it! x Jenny

        Reply
    10. Kerri says

      September 14, 2020 at 8:12 am

      Yes! Souvlaki is one of our favorite dishes, we have it at least two or three times a month. This looks incredible!

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        Thanks so much Kerri! x Jenny

        Reply
    11. Gourmet Vegetarians says

      September 16, 2020 at 5:00 pm

      Love souvlaki! Would be keen to try and make a vegetarian version of this- do you think falafel would make a good substitute?

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        September 16, 2020 at 5:32 pm

        Falafel will work great with this recipe. Thanks so much! x Jenny

        Reply
    12. CG says

      March 22, 2021 at 10:00 am

      I could eat like this every day. Thanks for revealing the secrets of how to make souvlaki at home, it never occured to me it would be possible.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        March 22, 2021 at 10:08 am

        It's possible! I make souvlaki with pitas every time I get homesick and they are delicious. Thanks so much!!

        Reply
    13. Nicholas B says

      April 11, 2021 at 10:04 am

      You are using the wrong pork meat for the souvlaki. Nobody uses the Loin. It’s too dry and no fat. You should use the pork shoulder or butt as they call it. Maybe even a little pork belly mixed in.

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        April 11, 2021 at 6:08 pm

        Hi Nicholas,

        Thank you very much for your suggestions. They are very useful. It is great to have options.
        Thankfully the marinade results in very tender souvlaki, even if it is pork loin. The quick grill helps with the meat staying juicy and not tough.

        Thanks again,

        x Jenny

        Reply
    14. Marcia Kennedy says

      August 28, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      Lived in Athens Greece for 2 and 1/2 years. My son was born there. The whole time that I was pregnant with him I craved pita souvlaki. The restaurants close about 9 and I craved it at 11. Learned how to make it when I lived there

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        August 28, 2021 at 8:08 pm

        Hi Marcia! That’s great! I make it whenever I am homesick, it makes me feel I am back in Athens.
        x Jenny

        Reply
    15. Baz says

      January 16, 2023 at 7:10 am

      4 stars
      This looks absolutely wonderful. But I'm puzzled. Obviously, it's not up to me to teach a Greek about Greek food but when I was in Greece I had it explained to me several times that souvlaki was the meat cooked on a little skewer and gyros was the big meat thing that rotates and you slice things from. So you ask for souvlaki with pita or gyros with pita. So having souvlaki with gyro and pita sounds to me like two different types of meat. Nevertheless, I'm definitely going to have a go at making this recipe - once I've worked out what a 'cup' is. Why do Americans have to do everything differently. 🤣

      Reply
      • Jenny Skrapaliori-Graves says

        January 22, 2023 at 10:26 pm

        Hi Baz!
        When I am at home, I can't be bothered with making skewers, and I prepare souvlaki as shown in the post. That's the only reason and the flavor, to be honest, is the same. They have it on a skewer at the souvlaki shops to hold the meat together as it grills over the coals and sell it as a skewer with a piece of bread and a wedge of lemon. This recipe is an easy preparation for a souvlaki experience with pita. Check my other post for making gyo, I bet you will like that one also. https://thegreekfoodie.com/homemade-traditional-greek-pork-gyros/
        As for the cup, I feel you! American cups and European cups are so different! But don't worry about it for this recipe, use a cup like the one we drink tea in and you will do great.

        Thanks so much,
        x Jenny

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi there!

    I am Jenny, a Greek expat living in the greater New York City area. I like to say I am a beauty art director turned foodie, aka the Greek foodie. Born and raised in Greece, my fondness for good food goes hand in hand with my heritage. My absolute favorite thing to do is cook delicious food to enjoy with family and friends.... Find out more about me here…

    EAT LIKE A GREEK!

    A black bowl with tomato confit, herbs and a spoon.

    Amazing Tomato Confit With Herbs

    A glass bowl with kourabides, Greek Christmas butter cookies, and Christmas lights at the back.

    Kourabiedes - Greek Christmas Butter Cookies

    A plate with Greek green beans with potatoes in tomato sauce, some fresh basil. On the table, a napkin, utensils and a piece of bread.

    Greek Green Beans In Tomato Sauce

    A small plate with olive oil and herbs, a gold spoon on a butcher block surrounded by pieces of bread.

    Bread Dipping Oil

    A white plate with tomato garlic pasta and herbs with a fork and spoon.

    Tomato Garlic Pasta

    Comfort Food

    Feta Cheese Puff Pastries With Leeks And Dill

    Vegetarian Moussaka With Plant Based Beef

    A plate with soutzoukakia-cumin meatballs.

    Cumin Meatballs In Red Sauce - Greek Soutzoukakia

    Low Carb Turkey Meatballs & Gravy

    A plate with spaghetti and greek tomato basil sauce

    Greek Spaghetti Sauce With Tomatoes & Basil

    Three pizza boats, peinirli on a platter.

    Easy Peinirli - Greek Pizza Boats

    Footer

    © 2023 · The Greek Foodie · All Rights Reserved