Name: Marinated Pork Skewers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 112 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 pound pork shoulder or tenderloin (cut into cubes)

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Great for any backyard party, these pork skewers stay juicy and succulent thanks to the flavorful marinade. Simple to make for a tapas party!

Grilled skewers of seasoned meat on a plate, surrounded by lemon wedges, garlic, radishes, and a bowl of yellow sauce on a light table.

When we host parties, having food that is easy to prepare and easy to eat is key. One of the best options? Grilled pork skewers!

Skewers and kabobs are perfect for entertaining, because there’s no juggling plates, forks, knives, and drink glasses while you’re trying to chat with friends.

Get taste buds prepped with tomato bruschetta and crispy chickpeas, then serve these marinated pork skewers hot and ready right from the grill!

Key ingredients for pork skewers

This is just an overview. For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card, or use the button on the right.

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Six labeled bowls containing pork tenderloin, garlic, honey, lemon juice, assorted spices, olive oil, and soy sauce, arranged on a light gray surface.

You’ll want a boneless pork shoulder or pork tenderloin. Make sure to trim off any excess fat before cutting into cubes. If you’re getting a pork tenderloin, it should be plain, not a pre-marinated package.

Olive oil is key in any marinade, and here we’re pairing it with soy sauce and lemon juice for salt and acidity.

The spices include smoked paprika. This is one of my go-to spices, so I definitely recommend giving it a try if you haven’t yet!

Choosing skewers

You’ll need either bamboo or reusable metal skewers to make this recipe. Metal skewers can be pricey and typically only come in packs of 4, so if you’re entertaining, bamboo skewers are usually the better way to go.

With bamboo skewers, choose ones that aren’t too long, as you’ll want to put only a serving onto each skewer, and any exposed wood risks burning on the grill.

Make sure to soak the wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes before adding the meat and grilling. This will help prevent the wood from burning or catching fire on the grill.

Grilled meat kebabs stacked on a white plate, with char marks visible, placed on a cloth napkin. Radishes and other dishes are partially visible nearby.

How to make this recipe

In a large bowl or baking dish, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. I usually use a baking dish to ensure the meat is evenly marinating, but you can also pour everything into a ziplock bag for easy cleanup.

Cut the meat into cubes about equal in size and add to the marinade. Stir to make sure the pork is coated on all sides.

Cover the pork and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. You can let it marinate overnight, but do not let it go longer than that or the proteins can start to break down and your meat can get rubbery.

White bowl with a metal spoon filled with a chunky, reddish-brown sauce, placed on a light gray surface.

Bowl of raw marinated meat chunks with chopped garlic and spices on a gray surface, next to a few wooden skewers.

Before you’re ready to cook, soak the wooden skewers in a shallow tray for 30 minutes.

Remove the pork from the fridge and thread a few pieces onto each skewer. If you want to serve these as kabob appetizers, use 3 pieces. For more of a meal, or if you plan to remove the meat from the skewers before serving, use 4-5 pieces, leaving a little space at either end of the skewer.

Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. Once ready, grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning a few times during cooking, until cooked through. The temperature on an instant-read thermometer should reach 145°F.

A bowl of grilled meat chunks garnished with lemon wedges and herbs, with small bowls of sauce and spices in the background.

Serving suggestions

These grilled pork kebabs are a wonderful part of any party spread, served with garlic aioli or other dipping sauces.

You can also use these skewers for filling pita sandwiches with tzatziki sauce and cucumber, or serving alongside rice and seasoned black beans, if you want to take the appetizer right into dinner!