Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced Rice
Grilled pork skewers brushed with a tangy tamarind glaze, served alongside fragrant spiced rice for a flavorful meal. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 45 minutes pairs pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes, tamarind paste, honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lbs pork tenderloin, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 8 wooden skewers, soaked
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 minced garlic cloves to create the glaze.
- Step 2: Thread 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers and brush generously with half of the tamarind glaze. Set the rest aside.
- Step 3: Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill the pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with more tamarind glaze, until nicely charred and cooked through.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped small onion, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1 tsp ground cumin. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and the onion is translucent.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 cups basmati rice and toast for 1 minute. Add 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 6: Remove rice from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the glazed pork skewers over the spiced rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced 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 tamarind paste from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced 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 Tamarind-Glazed Pork Skewers with Spiced Rice?
Asian 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.
