Charred Mezcal-Marinated Pork Skewers with Pineapple Salsa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-20 · Updated 2026-06-20

Juicy pork skewers marinated in smoky mezcal and spices, grilled over high heat and paired with a fresh pineapple and cilantro salsa. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, mezcal, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, 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

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup mezcal
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp dried ancho chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup diced fresh pineapple
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 8, soaked in water 30 minutes wooden skewers

Know when the pork is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup mezcal, 1/4 cup orange juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried ancho chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper; whisk to mix.
2. Step 2: Add 2 lbs 1-inch cubed pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare the salsa by mixing 1 cup diced fresh pineapple, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 tbsp lime juice in a bowl; set aside.
4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to high heat and brush grates with 2 tbsp vegetable oil.
5. Step 5: Thread marinated pork cubes evenly onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
6. Step 6: Grill pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until edges are charred and pork is cooked through to an internal temperature of 145°F.
7. Step 7: Remove skewers from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
8. Step 8: Serve the pork skewers hot, topped with fresh pineapple salsa for a balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors.