Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Juicy pork skewers marinated in bright citrus and garlic, grilled to perfection and served alongside fragrant cilantro-lime rice. This caribbean-inspired grilling ready in about 40 minutes pairs orange juice, tablespoons lime juice, tablespoons olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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
- 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups water
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to create the marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin cut into 1-inch cubes to the marinade, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated pork cubes onto the skewers.
- Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill the pork skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 145°F and the edges are lightly charred.
- Step 5: While the pork cooks, rinse 1.5 cups long grain white rice under cold water until clear. Combine rinsed rice and 3 cups water in a medium pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove rice from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves and 1 teaspoon lime zest. Serve the grilled pork skewers on a bed of cilantro-lime rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 orange juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice 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-Marinated Pork Skewers with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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.
