Fire up the grill! Our pork skewers are the kind of simple, juicy, lemon-kissed magic that turns an ordinary weeknight (or backyard hangout) into a feast. A quick yogurt-and-lemon marinade tenderizes the pork beautifully, while smoked paprika, garlic, and a touch of sesame add that deep, aromatic flavor you expect from great grilled skewers.
Theyโre easy, they cook fast, and they deliver that irresistible char + creamy cool dip combo everyone attacks first. Perfect for summer grilling, casual entertaining, or honestlyโฆ whenever youโre craving something smoky, tangy, and super satisfying.
If you love these Pork Skewers With Yogurt Lemon Sauce, you will also love theseย Chicken Skewers Orzo Bowls,ย Chicken Gyro Souvlaki With Pita And Mustard Aioliย orย Greek Lamb Burger Bowl!
Why you will love our pork skewers
What Youโll Need
- Pork shoulder – Cut into 1โ -inch (3 cm) pieces. This fattier cut stays juicy on the grill and gets unbelievably tender once it hits the yogurt marinade. Pork loin or tenderloin work too if you prefer a leaner skewer.
- Dijon mustard – Adds a spicy, sharp kick that balances the creamy yogurt. Any mustard in your pantry works โ even honey mustard or ground mustard in a pinch.
- Fresh lemons – The acidity brightens the marinade and helps tenderize the meat. Fresh juice makes a huge difference in flavor.
- Smoked paprika – A warm, smoky, slightly sweet seasoning that gives the skewers depth and that classic grilled flavor Greek cooks adore.
- Greek yogurt – Thick, tangy, and perfect for tenderizing pork. It forms the base of both the marinade and the sauce.
- Sesame seeds – Toasted and lightly pounded to release their aromatic oils โ the secret ingredient that adds a subtle nutty sweetness.
Step by step
Step 1. Toast the sesame seeds. Add the sesame seeds to a small nonstick pan over low heat. Stir constantly until theyโre evenly golden and fragrant โ they go from perfect to burnt fast, so keep an eye on them.
Step 2. Crush the sesame. Transfer the toasted seeds to a mortar and gently pound them to release their aromatic oils. This gives the marinade its subtle, nutty depth.
Step 3. Prep the pork and make the marinade. Rub each piece of pork with a lemon wedge, then place the meat in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, mustard, smoked paprika, lemon juice, crushed sesame seeds, sea salt, and pepper.
Pourย halfย of the marinade over the pork and mix well to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for aboutย 3 hours.
Transfer theย remaining halfย of the marinade to a small container and refrigerate โ this will be your dipping sauce.
Pro Tip
Soak those bamboo skewers. If youโre using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps prevent scorching and flare-ups on the grill or under the broiler.
Step 4. Thread the skewers. After marinating, thread the pork onto skewers. Let them rest on a wire rack to drip off excess marinade, or gently wipe a little off using your hands or a paper towel so they caramelize better while cooking.
Cooking Methods
Choose your adventure, babe โ they all work.
Oven Method (Great for winter, set-it-and-forget-it)
- Preheat oven toย 220ยฐC / 428ยฐF.
- Brush a wire rack with olive oil and place it over a baking tray to catch drips.
- Arrange the skewers on the rack.
- Roast forย 20โ30 minutes, turning them 2โ3 times for even browning.
- Finish under the broiler forย 1โ2 minutesย until lightly charred.
Grill Pan Method (Easy indoor grilling)
- Avoid overcrowding โ two or three at a time is ideal for good sear.
- Preheat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Drizzle with a little olive oil.
- Cook skewers in batches for aboutย 15 minutes total, turning as needed.
Outdoor Grill Method (Summer favorite)
- Serve hot with the reserved yogurt-lemon sauce.
- Preheat the grill toย 190ยฐC / 375ยฐF.
- Place the skewers directly on the grates.
- Cook forย 12โ15 minutes, flipping 2โ3 times until charred and cooked through.
Helpful tips
- No mortar and pestle? No problem. Pop all the marinade ingredients into a food processor and blitz for about 20 seconds. Youโll get a smooth, fragrant sauce that works perfectly.
- Skip the skewers if you want. Not in a threading mood? Spread the marinated pork pieces on a rimmed baking sheet and roast using the same oven instructions. Flip the pieces halfway through so they brown evenly.
- Let excess marinade drip off. A thinner coating helps the pork caramelize and char instead of steaming.
- Rest the skewers before serving. A quick 5-minute rest keeps the pork juicy and lets the flavors settle.
FAQs about pork pot roast
Storage and reheating
- Store: Leftover pork skewers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge forย up to 3 days. Store the reserved yogurtโlemon sauce separately.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat forย 3โ5 minutes, or in a 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) oven for aboutย 10 minutes.
- Avoid high heat โ it can dry out the pork.
- Freeze: The cooked pork freezes beautifully. Freeze the skewers (or the pork pieces off the skewers) forย up to 2 months.
- Donโt freeze the yogurt sauce.ย Yogurt separates when thawed.
Serving suggestions
Traditionally, pork skewers are served in souvlaki shops with warm pita or grilled bread and a squeeze of lemon โ simple, perfect, unbeatable.
At home, you can build a gorgeous platter with:
โขย Plenty of lemon wedgesย (a must!)
โขย Grilled pita or crusty bread
โขย Tzatziki yogurt dip
โขย Crispy friesย or oven-roasted potatoes
โขย A classic tomato-cucumber salad
โขย Black-eyed pea saladย or Greek pasta salad for something hearty and fresh.
These skewers play well with almost any Greek side, so mix and match depending on the mood โ casual, summery, meze-style, party platterโฆ it all works.
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More Greek street food recipes
Pork Skewers With Yogurt And Lemon
Equipment
- mortar and pestle
- 10 bamboo skewers soaked in water for 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder cut into pieces of about 1โ inch / 3 cm
- โ cup extra virgin olive oil plus more for cooking
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 lemon juiced reserve one used lemon half
- 1ยฝ tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds full
- sea salt
- freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Toast the sesame seeds in a small non-stick pan over low heat, stirring constantly until they brown evenly. Be careful not to burn them.1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Pound the toasted seeds in the mortar to extract their aroma and oil.
- Juice the lemon and mix the juice with all the marinade ingredients (olive oil, yogurt, mustard, paprika, crushed sesame seeds, sea salt, and pepper).1 lemon juiced โ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1ยฝ tablespoons smoked paprika 1 cup Greek yogurt sea salt freshly ground pepper
- Rub the pieces of meat with a used lemon wedge and put them in a bowl.
- Put half of the marinade sauce in the bowl with the meat, mix well, and cover with plastic wrapโMarinate the meat for 15 minutes to three hours.Keep the rest of the marinate in the fridge for serving.
- If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes ahead of threading.After marinating, thread the pork pieces on the skewers. Rest the skewers on a wire rack to drain some of the yogurt marinade.
Oven method
- This is my favorite method, especially in the winter (in summer, the grill wins). It cooks all the skewers in one go with minimal work.Preheat the oven to 220ยฐC / 428ยฐF. Brush a wire rack with olive oil and place it on a baking tray. The tray underneath will catch all the fats and juices and not stain the oven.Place skewers on the wire rack with the baking tray underneath. Cook skewers for 20-30 minutes. Turn the skewers two or three times to cook evenly on each side.ย At the last minutes of cooking turn on the broiler and broil for a couple of minutes.
Over the stove grilling pan
- Preheat aย cast iron grill panย over medium-high heat. Drizzle some olive oil and cook the pork skewers fin batches of two or three for about about 15 minutes total. Flip the skewers twice to ensure even cooking.ย
Barbecue grill method
- Preheat the grill to a constant temperature of around 190ยฐC / 375ยฐF. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them twice or thrice to ensure even cooking.ย
Notes
-
- It’s always a good idea to soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes beforehand. This will help prevent any flare-ups during cooking.
- If you don’t have a mortar & pestle place all marinade ingredients in a food processor and beat for 30m seconds.
-
- Traditionally, pork skewers are sold in souvlaki shops, with delicious grilled bread and a lemon wedge. ย
Nutrition
