Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri
Tender pork skewers brushed with a bright citrus glaze and served with a refreshing mint chimichurri sauce for a vibrant grilled dish. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 55 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork tenderloin, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup, packed fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup, packed fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 8 wooden or metal skewers
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp honey, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 lb pork tenderloin cubes and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the chimichurri by blending 1/2 cup packed fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup packed fresh parsley, 2 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/4 tsp red chili flakes, 1 tbsp olive oil, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until finely chopped but not pureed. Set aside.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 8 skewers, leaving a little space between pieces.
- Step 4: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes and brushing with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and has nice grill marks.
- Step 5: Serve the pork skewers drizzled with mint chimichurri sauce alongside your favorite grilled vegetables or salad.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (40 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 Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri?
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 fresh orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri?
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 Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri 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 Grilled Citrus-Glazed Pork Skewers with Mint Chimichurri?
Latin American 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.