Description
Greek Beef Souvlaki is a vibrant Mediterranean grilled dish featuring tender beef cubes marinated in fresh herbs, lemon, and olive oil, delivering bright and savory flavors. Perfectly charred on the grill and paired with creamy, refreshing cucumber tzatziki sauce, this recipe is ideal for summer barbecues, quick weeknight dinners, or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef Souvlaki
- 1.5 lbs lean beef cubes (sirloin or top round)
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 medium cucumber, grated and excess moisture squeezed out
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well emulsified to create a bright, fragrant marinade that will infuse the beef cubes.
- Marinate the Beef: Place the beef cubes in a shallow dish or resealable bag and pour the marinade over them. Stir or massage to coat evenly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably up to 4 hours for best flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While the beef marinates, grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess water thoroughly. In a bowl, combine grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped dill and mint, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well and chill in the fridge to let flavors meld.
- Skewer the Beef: Thread the marinated beef cubes onto soaked wooden or metal skewers, spacing them snugly but not tightly to ensure even cooking and easy turning on the grill.
- Grill the Souvlaki: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side until a smoky char develops and beef reaches preferred doneness. Avoid overcooking to retain juiciness.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove skewers from grill and let rest for a few minutes. Serve with a generous dollop of homemade tzatziki sauce, warm pita bread, and your choice of summer sides.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like oregano and dill for authentic flavor.
- Marinate beef for at least 1 hour; longer marinating (up to 4 hours) enhances tenderness and flavor.
- Make sure to squeeze all excess moisture from the cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki.
- Oil grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and ensure nice grill marks.
- Let cooked souvlaki rest off heat briefly to lock in juices before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approx. 1 skewer with 2 tbsp tzatziki
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Greek Beef Souvlaki, Mediterranean Grilled Beef, Tzatziki Sauce, Summer BBQ, Greek Recipe