Grilled Pork Pinchos Salad
Tender marinated pork skewers meet a refreshing mix of roasted sweet potatoes, red peppers, and tangy citrus vinaigrette in this hearty Puerto Rican-inspired salad. This caribbean-inspired salads ready in about 45 minutes pairs cubed pork shoulder, soy sauce, minced garlic into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. 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 cubed pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium diced sweet potatoes
- 1 diced red bell peppers
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 tbsp orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb pork cubes with 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread pork onto skewers and grill for 6-8 minutes, rotating occasionally, until charred and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, toss 1 diced sweet potato and 1 diced red bell pepper with 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 3 tbsp orange juice, and 1 tsp orange zest. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Divide the roasted vegetable mixture between plates, top with grilled pork skewers, and drizzle with additional orange juice before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Pork Pinchos Salad take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (30 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 Pork Pinchos Salad?
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 cubed pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Pork Pinchos Salad?
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 Pork Pinchos Salad 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 Pork Pinchos Salad?
Caribbean salads 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.