Grilled Mezcal-Marinated Pork Skewers with Spicy Chile Salsa

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-03 · Updated 2026-08-03

Tender pork skewers infused with smoky mezcal and grilled to perfection, served alongside a vibrant, spicy Oaxacan chile salsa. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, mezcal, fresh lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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 pound pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup mezcal
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 whole dried guajillo chiles
• 2 whole dried arbol chiles
• 1 small, quartered white onion
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 wooden or metal skewers

The instant-read thermometer we’d check this pork with → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup mezcal, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1 pound cubed pork shoulder and toss to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, remove stems and seeds from 3 guajillo and 2 arbol chiles. Toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes until fragrant, then soak in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: Blend the softened chiles with 1 small quartered white onion, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth, adding soaking water as needed to make a thick salsa.
4. Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 8 skewers, distributing evenly.
5. Step 5: Grill the pork skewers for 4-5 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through, with an internal temperature of 145°F.
6. Step 6: Serve the grilled pork skewers hot with the spicy chile salsa on the side for dipping or drizzling.