Souvla Cooking Guide – How to Cook Greek-Style BBQ at Home

If you’ve ever been to a proper Greek BBQ, you’ve probably had souvla—big chunks of juicy, seasoned meat spinning over hot charcoal, with a crispy outside and tender, smoky inside.

It’s one of the best ways to cook meat, and the good news is—you don’t need to go to a Greek festival to enjoy it.

With the right Cyprus Grill spit, a bit of patience, and a few simple ingredients, you can make authentic souvla at home.

Here’s everything you need to know.

 

What is Souvla?

Souvla is a traditional Cypriot-style BBQ where large chunks of meat (usually lamb, pork, or chicken) are skewered and slow-roasted over charcoal.

 

What You Need for Souvla Cooking at Home

Before you get started, make sure you’ve got:

✅ A Cyprus Grill – The perfect spit setup for souvla.
✅ Charcoal (Lump) – For proper flavour and heat.
✅ Metal Skewers – To hold the meat securely.
✅ A Strong Motor – Keeps the meat turning evenly.
✅ A Good Marinade or Rub – The secret to authentic Greek flavour.

Check out Cyprus Grills here

Best Meats for Souvla

Pork (Traditional & Most Popular Choice)

* Pork shoulder or pork neck works best— juicy, with a bit of fat for flavour.

Lamb (Rich, Classic Greek BBQ Flavour)

* Lamb shoulder or leg— seasoned with garlic, oregano, and lemon.

Chicken (Great for a Lighter BBQ Option)

* Use thighs or drumsticks (stay juicy while cooking).

Tip: Go for big, thick chunks —smaller pieces cook too fast and dry out.

How to Prep & Marinate Your Meat for Souvla

The secret to Greek BBQ is in the simple but bold flavours.

Traditional Souvla Marinade (Works for Pork, Lamb & Chicken)

* Garlic cloves (minced)

* Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

* Olive oil (good quality)

* Dried oregano (Greek oregano is best)   

* Salt & Pepper (generous amount)

How to Marinate:

* Cut the meat into big cubes ( about the size of a golf ball). 

* Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl.

* Coat the meat well and let it marinate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).

* Thread the meat onto Cyprus Grill skewers, making sure it’s packed tightly.

Tip: If you want extra smoky flavour, add a bit of red wine vinegar to the marinade.

Setting Up Your Cyprus Grill for Souvla Cooking

Step 1: Light Your Charcoal

* Use lump charcoal for a steady, even heat.

* Let them burn until they're white-hot (about 20-30 minutes).

Step 2: Adjust the Skewers

* Place your smaller skewers on the top level of the Cyprus Grill. on the top level

* If you’re cooking a larger skewer (main spit), put it on the middle or bottom level.

Step 3: Start Cooking!

* Turn on the rotisserie motor and let the skewers rotate slowly.

* Don’t rush the process — souvla should cook lo and slow.

 

How Long Does Souvla Take to Cook?

* Pork & Lamb: 1.5 – 2 hours

* Chicken: 1 – 1.5 hours

Tip: Don’t cook souvla too fast—you want crispy outside, juicy inside.

How to Know When It’s Ready?

Golden-brown crust on the outside

* Juicy, tender inside 

* Internal temperature hits 75°C (use a meat thermometer)

Tip: If the outside is getting too crispy before the inside is done, move the skewers up higher on the Cyprus Grill.

Where to Get a Quality Cyprus Grill for Souvla?

If you want , authentic souvla at home you need a proper Cyprus Grill spit—not some flimsy setup that’ll fall apart mid-cook.

At BBQ Spit Rotisseries, we’ve got:

* Heavy-duty Cyprus Grills made for real spit roasting.

* 20,000+ happy customers who love Greek BBQ.

* Fast Australia-wide delivery.

* 5 year warranties on all spits.

Shop Cyprus Grills Here

 

Final Thoughts – Cook Greek-Style Souvla at Home

Cooking souvla at home is easier than you think — all you need is:

* A good Cyprus Grill 

* Quality meat, cut into big chunks

* Simple Greek seasoning

* A bit of patience while it slowly roasts over charcoal

The result? Juicy, crispy, smoky Greek BBQ—right in your own backyard.

Get a Cyprus Grill & Start Cooking Souvla

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By: Gerardo Reis