These Pork Tenderloin Skewers are easy to make and the perfect addition to your next summer party or BBQ! Featuring tender pork tenderloin slathered in a sticky, spicy, and sweet apricot, habanero and honey glaze, these pork kebabs will have you eager to fire up the grill!
Update: This article was originally published in February 2015. I’ve made updates to the post below to include more information about pork tenderloin skewers.
So, I kind of need you guys to forgive me today, because I am not feeling so hot.
I am experiencing the type of ‘I don’t feel good’ that encompasses your entire body and renders your brain into a big ole’ pile of worthlessness.
I can’t even figuratively pick up and put myself back together, because even in figurative land, the matter formerly known as my brain seeps through my fingertips and drips onto the floor in big piles of ‘blah’.
I’ll spare you all the fine details and symptoms of my illness, if you forgive me for being under the weather…
And if you bear with me today.
As you are reading this, you might be wondering what the H-E-Double hockey sticks I’m doing here, rambling on to you, instead of tucked into bed with a thermometer poking out of my mouth, a cold compress delicately plastered to my forehead, and a box of tissues resting next to my head.
Well, I’m crazy.
That and I really, really like you guys, therefore it will take a heck of a lot more than some sickness shenanigans to keep me from you (see definitions of sheer determination and relentless love).
Besides, today’s dish is way too fantastic: apricot pork skewers!
About these Glazed Pork Tenderloin Skewers
These pork tenderloin skewers are splendid for a few reasons…
First of all, they are succulent, meaty, and juicy.
Second, all of that tender, cubed pork awesomeness gets slathered in a sticky, slightly spicy, a smidge sweet, heavenly and totally to die for glaze.
How do you make pork skewers?
Aside from being fantastically full of flavor, this pork on a stick (or skewer) is quick and easy to prepare.
Cube and marinate some pork the night before.
Skewer, bake and whip together the glaze the next day… Viola!
Dinner is served in less than 30 minutes.
Told you, awesome, right?!
Is this pork skewer recipe spicy?
The glaze does have a little kick to it, but only on the back end. It won’t turn your mouth into that of a fire breathing dragon or anything.
So if you like things super spicy, I suggest you add another habanero to the glaze.
And if you are a real dare devil, keep some of the seeds in there.
However, if you are chicken one of those folks, who simply don’t do spice, period, I suggest you decrease the habaneros in the glaze down to two, but don’t get rid of them completely!
Wonderfully simple and super scrumptious, these Apricot, Habanero & Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin Skewers deserve a place on your dinner menu. Give me your pinkie finger, because I promise you will love them! Until next time, Cheers!
-xoxo-
Cheyanne
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How to make Pork Tenderloin Skewers at home recipe👇
Apricot, Habanero & Honey Glazed Pork Tenderloin Skewers
Ingredients
- Pork Kebabs:
- 1 (2 pound) Pork Tenderloin – cut into 1 ¼’’ cubes
- Salt and Pepper , to taste
- Marinade:
- ¼ Cup Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Apricot Preserves
- 1 TBS Soy Sauce
- 1 Clove Garlic – minced
- 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- Glaze:
- 1 TBS Olive Oil
- ½ Yellow Onion – finely diced (about ½ cup)
- 3 Habanero Peppers – seeds removed and minced
- ¾ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 2 large cloves Garlic – minced
- ½ Cup Apricot Preserves
- 2 TBS Soy Sauce
- 1 TBS Honey
- 1 TBS Ginger - grated
- 1 TBS Lime Juice
- Optional Garnishes: Lime Wedges, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
- Marinate the Pork: In a large Ziploc bag combine the marinade ingredients. Add the cubed pork to the bag, seal and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours, up to overnight, to marinate. Turning the bag over to evenly coat at least once during refrigeration.
- If using wooden skewers as opposed to metal, soak skewers in water for at least 30 minutes, and set aside. (I used chop sticks, they work like a charm for skewering meat)
- Prepare the Glaze: Warm tablespoon of olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add the onions, habanero peppers, measured salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until onions and peppers are soft and starting to caramelize. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 seconds – 1 minute.
- Add the remaining ingredients and reduce the heat to medium low. Continue to cook until sauce is reduced and thickened, about 12-15 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile, Cook the Skewers - For Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Drain skewers from water. Thread 4-5 pork cubes onto each soaked skewer and transfer to baking sheet. Discard marinade.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until cooked through and an insta-read thermometer reaches 140 degrees F. Remove baking sheet from oven.
- Preheat Broiler on Oven to High and Adjust rack to Highest 1/3rd Position: Pour off any juice collected in the bottom of the pan. Generously brush the glaze onto the pork skewers, coating top side. Broil the pork skewers for 2-3 minutes, or until glaze slightly caramelizes. Remove from oven, flip skewers over and brush with glaze. Repeat broiling again 2-3 minutes.
- For Grill Method: Heat grill to medium high and oil the grates. Place skewers on the grill and cook until browned and cook throughout, about 8-12 minutes, turning 4 times during cooking. During the last few minutes of grilling brush glaze onto all sides of the skewers.
- To Finish: Remove skewers from oven or grill and garnish with a few squeezes of fresh lime juice and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (if you want things really spicy), if desired.
- Serve immediately with any additional glaze served on the side for dipping.
Notes
*If you want a very smooth glaze, use an immersion blender to puree the cooked glaze before applying it to the pork skewers.
Nutrition
Wow these look absolutely awesome! There are so many ingredients, but all are so good. Apricot, habaneros and soy sauce…YUM!
So glad you re-shared these, becauseI need these before Summer grilling season passes by for another year! So beautiful and surely delicious 🙂 Feel better soon Cheyanne!
Well, hello 2015! Indeed, I hadn’t started blogging at that time yet, so I didn’t know you, and as a result, I missed the originally published post. But I’ve seen these skewers on IG, and I’m huge fan of this recipe, Chey:) This sticky apricot sauce looks so good…that I’d like to try it even without any meat:)
Get back to bed!! I hope you’re feeling better soon. You are one dedicated blogger!! I must say, these sticky sweet skewers would definitely get me out of bed!! YUM!
These just look ridiculously good, Cheyanne! Why don’t I ever think of grilling pork tenderloin. I’ll be trying this recipe stat!
Love the sweet and spicy going on with this glaze! Love the pics….I am working on updating all my old post pictures. It’s a lot of work.
Hi Cheyanne! These skewers need to have a date with my grill! Love the sweet and savory!! Take care.
I’m going through old posts and redoing the photos too…there are so many I could just do that for the next year! haha These skewers look so delicious Cheyanne and I love that spicy apricot glaze!
Whoa Whoa whoa, look at these beautiful habanero port skewers. I’m not a huge fan of apricots but I have a sneaky suspicion they go well with flaming hot habanero. How is the new house coming along? Are you and the boy enjoying your new fence 🙂
That glaze is calling my name! I could eat it with a spoon and then make more for the skewers! 😉 Now I can’t wait for my next BBQ – these are sure to be a hit! Pinned! XOXO
Whoa. Apricot and habanero? YES PLEASE! I’m so glad you’re reposting your oldies but goodies. They’re new to me and I would NOT want to miss out on all the deliciousness :). Have a great week, my dear!
I’m thinking I missed these the first time around Chey, so I’m so glad you reshared! I love that sweet and spicy glaze! Perfect on pork, which is something Tom and I enjoy on a weekly basis. Pinning and can’t wait to try!
I’m sure your originally photos were gorgeous and I didn’t see this original one so it’s all new to me anyway 🙂 I love sweet and spicy combos (which you probably know by now ) so these skewers are totalling calling my name! How perfect for summer?! Or any time for that matter. Pinned! This new to happen soon. Have a fabulous week and hope all is going well with getting settled in, girlie ! XO
Oh wow these skewers look AMAZING, Cheyanne! I’ve never had apricot and habanero together before, so I’m loving this! My husband is always asking me to do more with pork, so I’ve got to try this. The flavors sound incredible, especially with that honey glaze. Such a perfect summer meal! Wishing I had this for breakfast! 🙂 Pinned, of course! Hope your Monday is off to a good start!
WOW! This is totally my type of recipe. LOVE pork and totally loving this glaze you have going on! I’m all about sweet and spicy… this is totally calling my name!!
Chris, Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment 🙂 I’m allllll about the sweet and spicy combination as well! Cheers! (p.s – I am HUGE fan of your site!)
Looks awesome! Love the sweet and spicy kind of flavors. Haven’t seen apricot in sauce much. Very unique. 🙂
The Missing Lokness, thank you so much for the kind words and stopping by my blog! I agree, apricot is underused, such a shame because it’s so delicious! Cheers! (Love your site name by the way!♡)
Ohhhhhh noooo, feel better! You TOTALLY should be in bed! These skewers look soooooo yum! Pinned!
Justine, thanks so much for the feel better wishes! I AM taking it easy today.. just in bed drooling over your delicious recipes! Lol. Must. Feel. Better so I can make your bacon tacos you just posted! Yum!!!! Cheers, girlie! ♡
Cheyanne, so sorry to hear that you are under the weather. Love your passion for blogging and food! As always, you are precious! This recipe sounds delicious! Wondering if I could substitute the apricot with pear?
Cheryl, Nothing could keep me away from my precious slice of heaven, No Spoon Necessary, and providing delicious recipes! Of course you can substitute pear preserves for the apricot (same amount). Apple would be delicious as well. If you substitute, let me know how it goes! I love when people play around with the recipe, thats what they are meant for… to get you in the kitchen and make them your own. Cheers, my sweets!