Zapotecan-Style Grilled Pork Skewers with Spicy Chili Marinade

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

Tender pork skewers marinated in a smoky, spicy chili blend inspired by ancient Zapotecan flavors, grilled to juicy perfection. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 32 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded, white vinegar 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
• 3 dried guajillo chilies, stemmed and seeded
• 2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 wooden skewers, soaked in water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Toast 3 dried guajillo chilies and 2 dried ancho chilies in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, flipping to avoid burning.
2. Step 2: Transfer toasted chilies to a bowl and cover with 1 cup hot water. Let soak for 15 minutes until softened.
3. Step 3: In a blender, combine soaked chilies with 3 tablespoons white vinegar, 3 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Blend until smooth.
4. Step 4: Place 1 pound cubed pork shoulder in a large bowl and pour the chili marinade over it. Toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
5. Step 5: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread marinated pork cubes onto 6 soaked wooden skewers.
6. Step 6: Grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until pork is cooked through and edges are slightly charred. Serve hot.