Summer is meant for barbecue.
Mostly because it’s too hot to use the stove.
Grilling outside means not having to heat up the kitchen, plus you get to enjoy the weather by cooking outside. Unless you’re in one of those crazy hot states (sorry Arizona). The other bonus is the ease. You can have a flavorful, healthy dinner with very little clean up. Yet another reason to love these Blueberry BBQ Pork Skewers.
For this easy Blueberry BBQ Pork Skewer recipe, all you need is a one-pot homemade barbecue sauce and a quick session with the grill. I often order pork dishes with fruit accents during our travels, but for some reason I’ve never cooked much pork at home. Don’t make my mistake.
Pork is one of the easiest meats to transform into a savory-n-sweet meal. Even the pickiest of eaters (ahem… my sister) will be happy with it! I mean… who doesn’t like food on sticks, glazed with a delicious sauce?
I added my favorite veggies for more depth of flavor. You can use whatever you have on hand – red onion would be fantastic too.
Don’t forget to oil the grill before cooking them. We use coconut oil spray prevent the meat from sticking; it also makes the clean up easier.
Pork cooks quickly; keep an eye on your meat and be careful not to let it dry out. (TWSS)
I like to serve these skewers with a light salad. Ours was a simple mix of arugula, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, and grated Parmesan. Coleslaw would be really good with this too.
FYI for my vegan friends – I used the left over BBQ sauce on sliced tempeh and it was fabulous!
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Blueberry BBQ Pork Skewers
- 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into 1-2 inch cubes*
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pint fresh blueberries
- 3 T Vitafiber (or honey)**
- 3 T apple cider vinegar
- 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 T tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 8 Cremini mushrooms
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch slices
- 4 metal skewers***
In a large bowl, combine the paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Add pork and toss to coat. Cover and chill while you make the sauce.
To make the sauce:
Combine blueberries, sweetener, vinegar, jalapeño, tomato paste, and Worcestershire in a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat and simmer until thickened, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside one cup.
To make the skewers:
Preheat grill to medium.
Thread the pork on 4 skewers, alternating with the veggies. Place on grill and sear, turning to cook all sides (10 to 15 minutes, or about 150 degrees). Brush with reserved the barbecue sauce about halfway through, until pork is glazed.
Serve with remaining barbecue sauce.
*Use you favorite protein here. I’ve tried it with tempeh with good results. Chicken would work too!
**I used Vitafiber to cut down on the sugar; however, honey or agave would work well too.
***If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent charring.
Makes 3-4 servings.
***
I’m really impressed my sister ate this… she barely eats any meat.
What’s your favorite thing to grill?
Do you like sweet-savory proteins?
My favorite thing to grill…that’s a tough one but I love taking the fresh zucchini, bell peppers, egg plant, onions from our garden and roasting them…so good the charred skins with the olive oil….yum yum! I am excited tot ry this sauce, such an interesting combo of flavors!
Ohhhhh… yes! Grilled onion with that char is the BEST.
We have been grilling all.summer.long and will continue until it snows…and sometimes after. This is the perfect recipe for my whole family, especially me since it looks fairly easy 🙂 Love it!!
I feel like I’m winning with you and the easy stuff lately. 😉
Pork and berries were meant for each other. And don’t you tell me that summer is almost over. IT ISN”T ALMOST OVER
Pork and berries… I feel like there’s a joke in there… 😉
The rest of my family does eat pork and I love the looks of your sauce. Have a great week!
Thanks! It was fantastic on tempeh too!
this is one fab combo! and i was gonna say… if you sis didn’t eat it, she be crazy. I mean that lovingly
Oh, she IS crazy. But she choked down like 3 whole pieces.
I love the sound of this blueberry sauce. Maybe when you come to Cleveland, you can make these. The Hubby would love the chance to get some meat and I’d eat all the veggies. 🙂
Gladly! I bet we can put it on some veggie burgers too. And brie… mmmmm… cheese…
I grilled romaine last night for salad!
I love grilled lettuce salads! We need to make that at home next time we grill.
Lovee grilling! I have never thought about using blueberries for a sauce on pork but it sounds delicious!
Um…yum. I just made a recipe for raspberry barbecue sauce that I’m going to post on Wednesday, but blueberry sounds really unique and delicious as well. I agree with you–pork and fruit is an awesome combo.
I’m checking that out right now! Raspberries are a great idea. I bet berries would be good too!
You had me at TWSS!
I’m always good for an inappropriate joke! 😉
This girl loves her meat. But there is one meat in particular that I won’t eat. Pork. Yep. I just can’t do it for some reason. I guess I think about “slop” … And I mean, I truly believe the saying “you are what you eat” is true … I would like to be a salmon over a pig. 😉
Gurrrrrrl… I love my pork. Bacon, hot dogs, chops… gimmie. Actually, the only animal meat I really won’t eat is tongue. I tried it and liked it but I just can’t do it.
Wow I think you really hit it out of the park with this one Laura; it looks so delicious. I agree that if you cook pork just right; it can be really good. The addition of fruit to the dish is such a good idea; I’m thankful God made this earth with so much variety and beauty; this dish highlights just a taste of that incredible variety. I’m kind of sad that the summer fruits are going away soon, but that means more apples, right? I love fall fruits too. Seasonal fruits are so nice because they help me appreciate ALL of them at different times.
Thanks Emily! You’re so right about the different season – I am always ready for the next seasonal produce. It’s nice to have something new to look forward to each month!
this sounds AMAZING and perfect to use blueberries at the end of summer- i love how much fruit is in it! Laura you rock!
Thank you!!! I’m getting all the summer berries in that I can before it ends.