Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers
Tender pork cubes rubbed with spicy jerk seasoning grilled over charcoal, balanced by the sweetness of caramelized pineapple chunks on skewers. This caribbean-inspired grilling ready in about 57 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, pineapple chunks, jerk seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks
- 2 tbsp jerk seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- enough for medium-hot fire wood charcoal briquettes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 1 lb pork shoulder cubes with 2 tbsp jerk seasoning, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until all pieces are evenly coated; marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Step 3: Preheat a charcoal grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F) with glowing embers and a steady flame.
- Step 4: Thread the pork cubes alternately with 1 1/2 cups pineapple chunks onto the skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking.
- Step 5: Place the skewers on the grill grates and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, turning often, until pork is charred at edges and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F, and pineapple is caramelized.
- Step 6: Remove skewers from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with lime wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 57 minutes (45 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pineapple chunks from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Charcoal-Grilled Pineapple and Jerk-Spiced Pork Skewers?
Caribbean grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
