What Is Souvlaki — And How Is It Different From a Gyro? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Souvlaki — And How Is It Different From a Gyro? ›

Souvlaki is made with pieces of grilled meat often skewered on a stick, while a gyros consists of slices of meat shaved from a vertical rotisserie.

Souvlaki is marinated pork, chicken, beef, or lamb grilled on a skewer. It's typically served on a skewer, but you can also eat it in a warm pita or over salad. Gyros are made with stacked meat (usually pork, but other meats are common) that has been cooked on a vertical rotisserie.

Which is healthier, souvlaki or gyro? Both souvlaki and gyro can be nutritious choices, depending on how they are prepared and served. Both are made with relatively lean meat cuts and grilled, making them a great lean protein source.

The addictive taste of Souvlaki can be attributed to its fresh and flavourful ingredients, the grilling process, and its convenience factor. The combination of the smoky flavour, tender meat, tangy tzatziki sauce, and fresh toppings make it hard to resist.

It is usually eaten straight off the skewer while still hot. It can be served with pita bread, fried potatoes, lemon, and sauces, but the souvlaki itself is eaten on its own, with the side dishes eaten subsequently.

In fact, the word “souvlaki” comes from the Greek word “souvla,” which means skewer. Souvlaki was originally made with small pieces of meat that were cooked on a skewer over an open flame. It was a popular dish among Greek soldiers who used to grill meat on their swords during their travels.

Whether you're grilling, broiling, or even pan-frying, the key ingredient, lean chicken, is a protein powerhouse that's low in fat and high in essential nutrients. Chicken souvlaki's nutritional profile makes it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy diet.

SPANAKORIZO. Spanakorizo is a classic Greek vegetarian dish made with spinach and rice. It is probably one of the healthiest traditional Greek recipes because it's packed with lots of spinach, onions, fresh herbs, and lemon. It is the Greek version of rice pilaf.

Like gyro, souvlaki is a Greek dish as well, typically made with pork or chicken that is skewered and grilled. It is quite a delicious and satisfying meal that can be accompanied by the same toppings as gyros, like tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables.

Putting chips in souvlaki is a trend that has swept Greece. In Australia, restaurants and souvlaki stores are split. Greeks who have recently migrated to Australia may find themselves confused, finding no chips in their souvlaki, but rather, lettuce.

What is the English of souvlaki? ›

Souvlaki (Greek: σουβλάκι, souvláki, [suˈvlaci]; plural: σουβλάκια, souvlákia) is a Greek food made up of small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer or spit.

Souvlaki is not only Greece's most popular Street Food, but it's also popular wherever you find Greeks throughout the world. Souvlaki is popular for several good reasons – it's absolutely delicious. Plus, it's wholesome, healthy, satisfying, and suits pretty much any budget.

Gyros are believed to have originated in Greece. (They're similar to the döner kebabs of Turkey and shawarma of the Middle East, which are slices of meat, rather than a minced loaf.)

Like Kabobs, the word Souvlaki simply means “meat on skewers.” But Greeks also use it to describe the actual meal—warm pita, loaded with perfectly marinated grilled meat and topped with Tzatziki sauce. Other fixings are typically included, and even a handful of fries are tucked into the pita.

The word souvlaki has roots in the Greek word souvla, meaning skewer (souvlaki means small skewer). Souvlaki is commonly served wrapped in a pita along with sauces and garnishes or on a plate, often accompanied with potatoes and other vegetables.