How Long to Grill Pork Kabobs for Perfectly Cooked Meat on a Stick

Pork kabobs are a fun and easy way to enjoy grilled meat on a stick. The cubed pork cooks up quickly on skewers with colorful veggies for a meal that’s perfect for backyard barbecues or weeknight dinners. But to ensure moist, flavorful pork, it’s key to know how long to grill pork kabobs.

The typical cook time for pork kabobs is about 10-15 minutes direct heat grilling. However, the exact grilling duration depends on a few factors:

Factors that Affect Pork Kabob Grill Times

• Thickness of pork chunks – Smaller 1-inch pieces cook faster than larger 2-inch chunks.

• Doneness preference – Cook longer for well-done vs less time for medium doneness.

• Grill temperature – Hotter grills around 450°F cook faster than low heat around 300°F.

• Skewer spacing – Loosely packed kabobs cook more evenly than tightly packed

• Use of marinade – Acidic marinades require less grilling time

• Flipping frequency – More frequent flipping gives more all-over browning.

• Pork cut – Tenderloin cooks quicker than shoulder or chops.

Taking all these variables into account, here are more specific pork kabob grilling times:

How Long to Grill Pork Kabobs

• 1-inch chunks, medium doneness, 450°F grill – 8 to 10 minutes, flipping occasionally

• 1-inch chunks, well-done, 450° grill – 10 to 12 minutes, flipping occasionally

• 2-inch chunks, medium doneness, 450° grill – 12 to 15 minutes, flipping occasionally

• Pork tenderloin chunks – 1 to 2 minutes less than shoulder or chops

For the most accurate gauge of doneness, use an instant read thermometer. Check the center of the thickest chunks of pork:

• 145°F for medium
• 160°F for well-done

Tips for Perfectly Grilled Pork Kabobs

Follow these simple tips for flawless pork kabobs hot off the grill:

• Use tender cuts like loin or tenderloin, avoid tough shoulder.

• Cut pork into 1 to 2-inch chunks for even cooking.

• Alternate with quick-cooking vegetables like peppers and onions.

• Marinate pork in oil, acid, and seasoning for added moisture and flavor.

• Allow marinated pork to rest at room temp 30 minutes before grilling.

• Preheat grill to 450°F. Use hot direct heat for best browning.

• Thread pork loosely onto skewers, leaving some space between chunks.

• Grill kabobs over direct high heat, flipping occasionally for even cooking.

• Brush with glaze or sauce in last 5 minutes if desired.

• Test center of thickest chunks with instant read thermometer.

• Rest kabobs 5 minutes before serving for juiciest meat.

Mastering the Marinade

A good marinade adds lots of flavor and helps keep pork kabobs extra juicy. At minimum, aim for a marinade with:

• Oil – To add moisture and allow seasoning to stick. Canola, olive or other vegetable oil.

• Acid – Helps tenderize pork. Lemon juice, vinegar, yogurt or buttermilk work well.

• Seasoning – Salt, pepper, herbs, spices, garlic, etc. Get creative!

• Sweetener (optional) – Honey, brown sugar, etc can add nice complexity.

Whisk together the ingredients until well-combined. For best results, marinate the pork overnight or for at least 2-4 hours. Marinate veggies separately to avoid cross-contamination.

Skewer Tips for Success

Proper skewering is key for picture-perfect pork kabobs:

• Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes before using to prevent burning.

• Use two parallel skewers for unstable ingredients like bell peppers.

• Alternate meat and veggies for pretty presentation if using the same marinade.

• For food safety, skewer pork and vegetables on separate skewers if marinades differ.

• Thread pork chunks loosely so air circulates for even cooking.

• Place a fatty piece of pork at the top of skewer to baste meat as it melts.

Best Veggies for Pork Kabobs

The beauty of kabobs is pairing delicious grilled pork with colorful fresh veggies. Some top choices include:

• Bell peppers – Try red, yellow, orange or green.

• Onions – Sweet like Vidalia or red are best.

• Zucchini and summer squash

• Mushrooms – Meaty portobello mushrooms are ideal.

• Cherry tomatoes

• Pineapple chunks

For veggie kabobs, grill over indirect heat and brush with oil or sauce to prevent drying out.

Serving Suggestions

Pork kabobs pair nicely with many simple sides like:

• Rice pilaf or couscous

• Pasta salad

• Grilled slices of pineapple

• Coleslaw or broccoli salad

• Corn on the cob

• Warm rolls or flatbread

Dip kabobs in chimichurri sauce or your favorite BBQ sauce for extra flavor. A light and fresh green salad also balances the richness of the pork.

So fire up the grill and enjoy restaurant-quality pork kabobs in your own backyard with these helpful grilling times and tips. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!