Need a wow-worthy new grilling recipe for your next cookout? These delicious garlic lime pork kabobs totally fit the bill! Grilled pork tenderloin cubes infused with a honey garlic lime marinade that doubles as the base for a creamy sauce...
This recipe was created in partnership with the Ohio Pork Council. Thanks for supporting me and the brands I love!
Pork kabobs? Pork kebabs? Or is it pork shish kabobs? Whatever the proper term/spelling, this grilled pork kabob recipe is sure to become your new summer cookout staple!
Each tender cube of pork is juicy and bursting with flavor. And when they're dunked in the tangy creamy cilantro sauce? Totally irresistible!!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- FLAVOR BOMB PORK KABOB MARINADE - The citrusy marinade uses just five ingredients but packs a big, flavorful punch.
- JUICY PORK SKEWERS - The best marinade + high-heat grilling = the juiciest pork cubes.
- CREAMY DIPPING SAUCE - Reserved marinade gets whisked with mayo and chopped cilantro to create a dreamy drizzling and/or dunking sauce.
- EFFORTLESS SUMMER ENTERTAINING - Easy to make, easy to cook, and easy cleanup allows you more time to focus on guests.
Grilled pork kabobs pair perfectly with all of your favorite summer fruits and veggies. I recommend serving them with a simple salad and a side of luscious coconut milk rice. And possibly a cold paloma drink to wash everything down!
Pork Kabob Ingredients
These pork tenderloin kabobs feature the bright, fresh flavors of honey and lime with a healthy dose of garlic!
Pork tenderloin is a lean, quick-cooking cut of meat with a mild flavor, which makes it the perfect candidate for soaking up a bold marinade! Cutting it into uniform cubes and grilling them to an internal temperature of 145°F ensures succulent, juicy pork bites.
While pork tenderloin is my personal preference for these kabobs, you could easily substitute an equivalent amount of cubed pork loin or boneless pork chops if desired. The cooking time and internal temperature remain the same.
For The Pork Kabob Marinade
- 🫒 Olive oil: Use a quality extra virgin olive oil for best results.
- Soy sauce: This gives the marinade an umami, meaty flavor. Use a reduced sodium variety if you wish to control the salt.
- 🍋🟩 Fresh lime juice + zest: This brightens the marinade and tenderizes the pork. You'll need 2-3 limes depending on their size.
- 🍯 Honey: This balances the soy sauce and lime juice, while also encouraging better browning.
- 🧄 Garlic cloves: Crushed fresh garlic cloves add depth of flavor. You can substitute frozen crushed garlic cubes if desired.
For The Creamy Cilantro Sauce
- Mayonnaise: Mayo is used to thicken some reserved marinade for a zingy finishing sauce.
- 🌿 Cilantro: This is added to the creamy garlic-citrus sauce for some freshness and is also used as a garnish. Feel free to omit it if you don't care for the flavor!
NOTE: Find quantities and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
Recommended Equipment
- Garlic press: It's simple enough to mince garlic by hand, but a good garlic press makes the task much quicker and easier. This model is a bit of an investment, but it produces a uniform mince (even when using unpeeled cloves!) and effortlessly rinses clean.
- Microplane zester: This classic zester makes removing the just the zest without any bitter pith from citrus fruits quick and painless.
- Metal skewers: Wooden skewers require extra time for soaking and may still burn. Instead I recommend these simple and inexpensive stainless steel skewers. They're sturdy enough to handle thick kabobs, and their flat shape prevents the meat from spinning around while turning, allowing for browning on all sides.
- Meat thermometer: Using a digital meat thermometer to check the internal meat temperature frequently is the easiest way to ensure your pork is fully cooked yet still tender and juicy.
How To Make Pork Tenderloin Kabobs
Easy-peasy pork kabobs on the grill in just four steps: 1) chopping, 2) marinating, 3) skewering and 4) grilling.
- Step 1: Remove the silver skin from the pork tenderloin and cut the pork into uniform bite-sized pieces. Transfer the cubed pork to a large bowl.
- Step 2: Whisk the pork kabobs marinade ingredients together. Reserve ½ cup and pour the remainder over the pork cubes. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated pieces of pork onto metal skewers. Grill pork kabobs over a hot fire until well charred on all sides and meat registers 145°F, 6 to 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Whisk the mayonnaise and chopped cilantro into the reserved marinade. Drizzle the sauce over the grilled kabobs, and garnish with additional chopped cilantro, as desired.
How To Grill Pork Kabobs
Whether you use a charcoal grill or a gas grill, grilling pork kabobs could not be simpler!
- Heat grill until hot.
- Clean and oil the cooking grate to prevent the kabobs from sticking.
- Place pork kabobs over the hottest part of the grill. Cook, uncovered, until well charred on all sides and meat registers an internal temperature of 145°F, approximately 6-10 minutes.
Pro Tip: Juicy Pork Kabobs
For the juiciest pork, let the pork kabobs rest after grilling. When the grilled pork skewers are done cooking, transfer them to a platter. Tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Honey Garlic Lime Grilled Pork Kabobs
Ingredients
- 2 (14-ounce) pork tenderloins, trimmed and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 3 small limes, zested and juiced (1 tablespoon lime zest + ¼ cup juice)
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the olive oil, soy sauce, lime juice, lime zest, honey, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until smooth and slightly thickened. Set aside ½ cup of the garlic lime marinade in a small bowl.
- Add the pork tenderloin chunks and remaining marinade to large ziptop plastic bag. Press out as much air as possible, and seal bag. Let the pork marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- While the pork is marinating, prepare the creamy cilantro sauce. Whisk the reserved garlic lime marinade together with the mayonnaise and cilantro.
- Thread the marinated pork cubes onto six 12-inch metal skewers, leaving ¼ inch between pieces. Grill skewers over hot fire until well charred on all sides and meat registers an internal temperature of 145°F, 6 to 10 minutes. Flip as needed for even browning.
- Transfer skewers to a serving platter, tent loosely with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle a quarter of the creamy cilantro lime sauce over the kabobs, and sprinkle with additional cilantro, as desired. Serve with remaining sauce.
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More Delicious Pork Recipes
If you like this pork kabobs recipe, you might also enjoy these other delicious pork recipes:
- Grilled BBQ Pork Tenderloin
- Sweet, Smoky & Spicy Pork Dry Rub Recipe
- Asian Pork Lettuce Wraps
- Instant Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Pork
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your grilled pork tenderloins turn out... Tag me @Unsophisticook and @OhioPork on Instagram or use the hashtags #ohpork and #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Susan Pagnutti says
your pork shish kebab you say 1/4 lime juice is that a quarter cup or just 1/4 of a lime?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Oops, thanks so much for pointing that out, Susan! Yes, it's 1/4 cup of lime juice plus 1 tablespoon of lime zest. I updated the recipe card to reflect this.