Do you marinate your souvlaki?

[nadellii]

I've always marinated my souvlaki before grilling it. That's just how I learned to make it, and I usually let it sit for several hours, sometimes even overnight if I plan ahead. I always assumed that was the standard way to prepare it.

Recently, though, I found out that not everyone marinates their souvlaki. Some people simply season the meat right before cooking, while others use only olive oil, lemon, oregano, salt, and pepper without much time to marinate at all.

Now I'm wondering if I've been overthinking it all these years! Does marinating really make a noticeable difference, or is it more of a family tradition than a necessity?

I'd love to hear how everyone here prepares their souvlaki and whether you've noticed a difference in flavor or tenderness.

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I think marinating souvlaki is one of those things where there really isn’t a single right answer. I’ve had excellent souvlaki that was marinated for hours, and I’ve also had versions that were simply seasoned shortly before going on the grill.

For me, a marinade does add something, especially when it includes olive oil, oregano, garlic, and a little lemon. I like how the flavors have more time to work their way into the meat. That said, I don’t think an overnight marinade is always necessary. A couple of hours can be plenty, depending on the meat and the ingredients you’re using.

I’ve also heard that too much lemon left on the meat for too long can affect the texture, so I try not to overdo it.