These barbecued pork skewers are perfect for a summer cookout or a cozy family dinner. The tender pork, marinated in a flavorful blend of olive oil, soy sauce, honey, and spices, is grilled to perfection, creating a dish that's both juicy and delicious.
If you don't usually have pork tenderloin in your kitchen, you might need to visit the meat section of your supermarket. Soy sauce and honey are common pantry items, but if you don't have them, they can be found in the condiment aisle. Fresh garlic and paprika are also essential for this recipe, so make sure to pick them up if they're not already in your spice rack.
Ingredients For Barbecued Pork Skewers
Pork tenderloin: This is a lean and tender cut of pork, perfect for skewers.
Olive oil: Adds moisture and helps the marinade adhere to the pork.
Soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami flavor to the marinade.
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps caramelize the pork on the grill.
Garlic: Fresh garlic adds a robust flavor to the marinade.
Paprika: Adds a mild, smoky flavor and a vibrant color to the pork.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
Technique Tip for Perfect Skewers
When marinating the pork cubes, ensure they are evenly coated by using a ziplock bag instead of a bowl. This allows the marinade to surround each piece more effectively, enhancing the flavor. Additionally, if you have the time, let the pork marinate for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator. This extended marination process will result in more tender and flavorful skewers.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pork tenderloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is lean and will absorb the marinade well, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it suitable for grilling.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and offers a similar umami flavor.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and caramelization when grilled.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is not available, though it may have a slightly different intensity.
paprika - Substitute with smoked paprika: Smoked paprika adds a deeper, smoky flavor that complements the barbecue profile.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement and may offer a slightly different mineral content.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor, often described as more earthy.
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How to Store or Freeze Your Skewers
- Allow the pork skewers to cool completely before storing. This helps to prevent condensation, which can make the meat soggy.
- Place the cooled pork skewers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil. This will help to maintain their flavor and moisture.
- Store the container or wrapped skewers in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 3-4 days. This keeps the pork fresh and safe to eat.
- For longer storage, place the pork skewers in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of how long the pork skewers have been stored. This ensures you use them within the optimal time frame.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the pork skewers in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps to maintain the texture and flavor.
- Reheat the pork skewers on a grill or in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until they are heated through. This helps to retain the original grilled flavor.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the pork skewers in a microwave, but be sure to cover them with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to keep them moist.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the pork skewers on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cover them with another piece of foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
For a quick reheat, use the microwave. Place the pork skewers on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, turning the skewers occasionally, until heated through.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F. Arrange the pork skewers in a single layer in the basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
To retain the grilled flavor, reheat on a stovetop grill pan. Preheat the pan over medium heat, then place the pork skewers on the pan. Turn them occasionally, heating for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
For a smoky touch, reheat on an outdoor grill. Preheat the grill to medium heat and place the pork skewers on the grates. Grill for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are hot and slightly charred.
Best Tools for Grilling Pork Skewers
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the marinade ingredients and toss the pork cubes to ensure they are evenly coated.
Whisk: A utensil used to mix the marinade ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the honey, soy sauce, and spices are well blended.
Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure out the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, paprika, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Garlic press: A tool to mince the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
Cutting board: A surface used to cut the pork tenderloin into 1-inch cubes safely.
Chef's knife: A sharp knife used to cut the pork tenderloin into cubes.
Skewers: Sticks used to thread the marinated pork cubes for grilling.
Grill: The cooking equipment used to cook the pork skewers to perfection.
Tongs: A tool used to turn the skewers on the grill, ensuring even cooking on all sides.
Serving platter: A dish used to serve the hot, grilled pork skewers.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare the marinade in advance: Mix the olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper the night before to save time.
Use pre-cut pork: Purchase pork tenderloin already cut into 1-inch cubes to skip the cutting step.
Quick marination: If you're short on time, marinate the pork in a resealable plastic bag for even coating and faster absorption.
Preheat the grill: Start preheating the grill while you thread the pork onto skewers to save time.
Batch grilling: Grill multiple skewers at once to reduce cooking time.
Barbecued Pork Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, combine olive oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- 2. Add pork cubes to the marinade and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- 3. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- 4. Thread the marinated pork onto skewers.
- 5. Grill the skewers for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the pork is cooked through.
- 6. Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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