Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce
Tender pork skewers brushed with smoky mezcal glaze and served with a fiery chile de árbol dipping sauce inspired by Oaxacan flavors. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 75 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, mezcal, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup mezcal
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 dried chile de árbol
- 1/4 cup chopped white onion
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- 8 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 8 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1.5 lbs cubed pork shoulder, 1/4 cup mezcal, 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Toss well and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, toast 6 dried chile de árbol in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, then transfer to a blender with 1/4 cup chopped white onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup water, and 1 tbsp honey. Blend until smooth to make the chile de árbol sauce.
- Step 4: Thread the marinated pork cubes onto the soaked skewers, about 5-6 pieces per skewer.
- Step 5: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, basting occasionally with remaining mezcal marinade, until charred on the edges and cooked through.
- Step 6: Serve the pork skewers hot with the spicy chile de árbol sauce for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (60 min prep + 15 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 Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce?
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 mezcal from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce?
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 Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce 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 Charred Mezcal-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile de Árbol Sauce?
Mexican pork 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.
