Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Garlic and Cilantro

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork skewers marinated in a bright citrus and garlic blend, grilled to perfection and finished with fresh cilantro. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, orange juice, lime 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tbsp olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 1/2 lbs cubed pork shoulder to the marinade, tossing well to coat each piece. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated pork cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, leaving small gaps between pieces.
  4. Step 4: Grill skewers for 12-15 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes, until pork is nicely charred on edges and registers 145°F internally.
  5. Step 5: Remove from grill and sprinkle 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro over skewers before serving hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Garlic and Cilantro 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 Grilled Citrus-Marinated Pork Skewers with Garlic and Cilantro?

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 Garlic and Cilantro?

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 Garlic and Cilantro 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 Garlic and Cilantro?

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.

Related recipes