Mojo has a zippy bite because of the grapefruit and lime juice that it’s made with. Copious amounts of garlic add nothing but Latin flavor to the kebabs. As a result, this might become your go-to marinade for all your grilled proteins.
Childhood Memories of Kebabs
My childhood memories are filled with kebab fundraisers to support my mom’s or dad’s Air Force units. We stayed up all night impaling chunks of pork on sticks to grill the following day. My entire Saturday was consumed by fake-smiling at adults while trying to hawk kebabs. I hated it. The only ray of hope came in the hourly breaks I was given (child labor laws being what they are) where I was able to eat a kebab. Two kebabs, if I was sly enough to sneak one. So, while being a kebab salesperson wasn’t the highlight of my youth, the memories I have of making and eating them were. Our fundraising kebabs were bare-bones, though: Meat on a stick is all they were. As an adult, I’ve taken advantage of my ability to add veggies to my kebabs, and now you can’t tell me nothing!
What’s the Best Pork for Kebabs?
The best cut of pork to use for kebabs is tender and lean like pork neck meat or tenderloin. Because the meat won’t cook long on the grill, you want a tender cut that won’t dry out. I find that pork neck meat (in your meat section it may be labeled pork collar or pork top round ) meets that requirement because it has ribbons of fat throughout the meat, but the meat is still very tender (since a pig doesn’t shake its neck as much as I do). Tenderloin is my backup. It’s leaner than neck meat, which means it tends to dry out faster when grilling so just keep an eye on it. Tenderloin is a great fallback if you can’t find neck meat, though. When all else fails, grab a pack of boneless, thick-cut pork chops and cut them to size.
What Is Mojo Marinade?
Mojo (pronounced mo-HO) is a garlic- and citrus-flavored sauce that’s moderately acidic and plentiful on flavor. If you’ve ever had a Cubano sandwich, chances are it was made with mojo marinated pork roast. In Hispanic cooking, it’s used as a marinade for all sorts of proteins. Pork is among the most common, but poultry and seafood tend to be runners-up. If you’re looking to go the super authentic route, try to get your hands on bitter orange and use that in place of the grapefruit and orange juices. No worries if you’re not in the mood for a scavenger hunt though. The recipe is written to mimic the flavors you would get from bitter orange.
How Long Should You Marinate Pork Kebabs?
At the very least, your pork kebabs should sit in the mojo marinade for two hours. I’ve rushed the marinade before and felt the pain of disappointment. The flavors just weren’t what I wanted them to be. Don’t get me wrong, I still ate them, but that two-hour marinade makes a world of difference. If you’re looking to get the most out of the marinade, leave the pork to soak it up for eight hours. Any more and you’re dabbling in meat that will end up too tough (the acid in the marinade slowly “cooks” the protein). When in doubt, shoot for four hours and you’ll hit the sweet spot.
How Do You Know When Kebabs Are Finished Cooking?
One of the things I love most about grilling these pork kebabs is how fast they cook. Because pork only needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F, these skewers will only take 10 minutes to cook on the grill. As a result of the short cooking time, it’s important to cut your fruits and veggies to uniform sizes. This way, they’ll be pleasantly charred and cooked through at the same time as the pork.
Mix Up Your Fruits and Veggies for Tasty Kebabs
When it comes to the best fruits and veggies to use on your kebabs almost anything goes. Try to avoid dense or thick-fleshed veggies like carrots, potatoes, or gourds (butternut squash)—they’re not going to be soft enough to enjoy by the time the pork is grilled. I highly recommend summer squash though. When in doubt, the old kebab regulars are a surefire choice: mild bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes are the quintessential kebab cohorts. I gave mine a tropical/spicy bent by impaling pineapple chunks and thick slices of jalapeño peppers on a few of my skewers. Spice yours up likewise, but I recommend keeping it at jalapeño peppers and nothing spicier.
Swaps and Substitutions for Pork Kebabs
If you want to swap out the pork for a different protein, I’d recommend anything from chicken thighs (which are juicier than breasts, but those will still work), shrimp, swordfish, or even firm tofu. When it comes to marinating proteins like seafood, you’ll need to reduce the time to no longer than 20 minutes. Any longer and you’ll be grilling ceviche.
What To Serve With Pork Kebabs
I nestle my pork kebabs in a bed of steamed rice on a large serving platter. When it’s time to serve, my family scoops up a spoonful of rice and grabs their kebabs. It’s a balanced meal on a platter. If you’re serving a crowd or just like options, you can also serve the kebabs with dishes like Black Bean Salad, Quinoa Pilaf, or Jicama, Avocado and Orange Salad.
Can You Make Kebabs Ahead of Time?
You can most certainly assemble your kebabs ahead of time! Ask my ten-year-old self.
Marinate the meat for a couple of hoursRemove it from the marinadeAssemble the kebabsWrap them in plasticStore them in the fridgeRemove from the fridge 20 minutes before grilling to take the chill off
More Great Kebab Recipes
Beef Kebabs Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs Salmon Teriyaki Skewers with Pineapple Vietnamese-Style Sticky Chicken Skewers Grilled Tuna Kebabs
6 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped 1 small white onion, roughly chopped 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup grapefruit juice (from 1 medium grapefruit) 1/2 cup lime juice (4 large limes) 1/4 cup orange juice (1 medium orange) 1/2 cup olive oil 3 tablespoons white vinegar
For the Pork Kebabs:
2 1/2 pounds pork neck meat or tenderloin, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks 3 yellow, red or orange bell peppers, seeded and cut into chunks 1 medium red onion, cut into segments 20 cherry tomatoes 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks 2 pepper jalapeno peppers, thickly sliced (optional)
The marinade should be slightly thick, but fluid. Remove 1 cup of the marinade and reserve to brush onto the grilled kebabs later. Pour the rest of the marinade into a large non-reactive bowl or dish. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pork in the marinade for 2 to 8 hours. If you’re using a gas grill, heat the grill to 400°F. Once the grill is hot, clean the grate to ensure the kebabs don’t stick during cooking. Set up an assembly line with the items in the following order: wooden (or metal) skewers, mojo pork, vegetables, and a clean sheet pan or tray. Skewer a tomato, then a piece of meat, followed by a pepper slice and onion, another piece of meat, two more pepper slices, more meat, a jalapeno (or fruit), meat, pineapple chunk, a second tomato, or more veggies. Each skewer should have 4 pieces of pork. Lay the kebabs over the direct heat side of your grill and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the kebabs and baste the grilled side with the reserved mojo sauce. Cook for an additional 3 minutes. Flip the kebabs once more, basting the second side with mojo sauce. Transfer the kebabs to the indirect heat side of the grill and allow them to cook for 3 to 4 minutes and seal in the mojo marinade sauce.
