Grilled Mezcal-Marinated Pork Skewers with Citrus and Chili
Juicy pork skewers marinated in smoky mezcal with fresh citrus and chili, grilled to perfection with a vibrant, spicy finish. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, mezcal, fresh 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 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 pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup mezcal
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp dried guajillo chile powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked
Know when the pork is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup mezcal, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried guajillo chile powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Whisk to create a marinade.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb 1-inch cubed pork shoulder to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
- Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated pork cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, distributing meat evenly.
- Step 4: Grill pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning once, until nicely charred and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Step 5: Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh lime wedges and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro if desired.









