Aromatic Greek pork skewers are exactly what you want for a night of summer grilling! Smoked paprika, sesame, lemon juice, and yogurt make the marinade and dipping sauces for these delicious pork skewers. Enjoy this succulent party food.

If you love these Pork Skewers With Yogurt Lemon Sauce, you will also love these Chicken Skewers Orzo Bowls, Chicken Gyro Souvlaki With Pita And Mustard Aioli or Greek Lamb Burger Bowl!

Three pork skewers on a plate with cherry tomatoes, grilled pita , olives, feta and a lemon wedge.

Why this recipe sings

Greek pork skewers are delicious. The lemony yogurt sauce also stands as the marinade. The secret ingredient is sesame seeds, which have a mild, sweet, nutty flavor. A tablespoon of toasted sesame is pounded in a mortar and pestle and then mixed with yogurt and lemon. The marinade is also the sauce the skewers are served with. You will use half of it to marinate and reserve the rest for serving.
It is easy. This aromatic pork skewer recipe is a snap to put together—exactly what you want for a night of summer grilling.

Here is what you need

Pork shoulder, lemon, olive oil, mustard, paprika, salt and paper and yogurt on a wooden surface, overhead view.

Pork shoulder. Cut into pieces of about 1⅓ inch / 3 cm. This is a fatty cut of meat also used for making gyros. Marinated, it becomes deliciously tender and juicy when cooked. You can utilize pork loin or tenderloin.
Dijon mustard. I love the spicy flavor of Dijon. However, you can substitute any mustard, even honey, in your pantry. You can also use ground mustard.
Lemons. Fresh lemon juice is added to the marinade.
Smoked paprika. It has a smoky, spicy flavor with a hint of sweetness. Greek cooks often use it in souvlaki, chicken dishes, fried potatoes, etc.
Greek yogurt. The tangy, creamy yogurt tenderizes the meat and adds so much flavor.
Sesame seeds. They get toasted, pounded to release their aromatic oils and added to the marinade.
Extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper.

How to make them

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.

Pound the toasted seeds in the mortar to extract their aroma and oil.
Rub the pieces of meat with the lemon wedge and put them in a bowl.
Mix all the marinade ingredients (olive oil, yogurt, mustard, paprika, lemon, crushed sesame seeds, sea salt, and pepper).

Pork pieces in a yogurt marinade in a bowl.

Put half of the marinade sauce in the bowl with the meat, mix well, and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 3 hours to marinate the meat.
Keep the rest of the marinate in the fridge for serving.

If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes.

Pork skewers with marinade on a wiring rack.

After 3 hours, thread the pork pieces on the skewers. Rest the skewers on a wire rack to drain some of the yogurt marinade. You can also wipe some of it off with your hands or a paper towel.

Cooking the pork skewers

Grilled pork skewers stacked on a grill.

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 220°C / 428°F.
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.
At the last minutes of cooking turn on the broiler and broil for a couple of minutes.

Two pork skewers cooking on a grilling pan.

Over the stove grilling pan

Preheat a cast iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle some olive oil and cook the pork skewers for about 15 minutes total. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook two or three at a time.

Barbecue grill method

For best results, preheat the grill to a constant temperature of around 190°C / 375°F. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them twice or thrice to ensure even cooking.

Two pork skewers on a plate with cherry tomatoes, grilled pita , olives, feta and a lemon wedge.

Serving suggestions

Traditionally, Greek pork skewers are sold in souvlaki shops, with delicious grilled bread or pita and a lemon wedge.

You can serve the pork skewers on a platter with plenty of lemon wedges, grilled pita bread, tzatziki dip, crispy fries, a traditional tomato salad, or this awesome black-eyed pea salad.

Helpful tips

If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, put all the marinade ingredients in a food processor and beat for 20 seconds.
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 feel like using skewers, consider spreading your pork pieces on a rimmed sheet pan. Cook in the oven using our directions. Turn them halfway through cooking with some trusty tongs or a spatula. Happy cooking!

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