Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze
Tender pork skewers marinated in a citrus and warm spice blend, grilled to smoky perfection and finished with a sticky honey glaze. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork tenderloin, freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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, cut into 1-inch cubes pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb 1-inch cubed pork tenderloin to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until the pork is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: During the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush each skewer with 2 tbsp honey, allowing it to caramelize slightly and form a sticky glaze.
- Step 6: Remove skewers from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze?
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 freshly squeezed orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze?
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 Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze 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 Citrus-Spiced Grilled Pork Skewers with Honey Glaze?
Caribbean 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.