Crispy Lemongrass Pork Belly Skewers with Spicy Tamarind Glaze
Tender pork belly marinated in fragrant lemongrass and garlic, then grilled to a perfect crisp. These skewers are coated in a vibrant, tangy, and spicy tamarind glaze, offering an explosion of savory and piquant flavors.
Prep Time
180 min
Difficulty
Hard
Servings
4
Calories
450 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pork belly: Cut the pork belly into 1-inch cubes. (10 minutes)
~10 min - 2
Make the marinade: Finely mince the lemongrass (white and light green parts only) and garlic. In a large bowl, combine the minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and black pepper. Add the pork belly cubes and toss to coat evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
~15 min - 3
Prepare the skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Thread the marinated pork belly cubes onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each piece.
~15 min - 4
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the pork belly skewers for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy on all sides. (15 minutes)
~15 min - 5
Make the spicy tamarind glaze: While the pork is grilling, combine tamarind paste, chili garlic sauce, honey, lime juice, sesame oil, and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens into a glaze. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
~10 min - 6
Glaze the skewers: Once the pork is nearly cooked, brush generously with the spicy tamarind glaze. Continue grilling for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize. (5 minutes)
~5 min - 7
Serve: Remove skewers from the grill. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and chopped cilantro. (2 minutes)
~2 min
Tips
- For extra crispy pork belly, you can par-boil the pork belly cubes for 10 minutes before cubing and marinating. This renders some of the fat.
- The tamarind glaze can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before brushing onto the skewers.
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