Grilled Pork Skewers

with a Secret Soda Marinade

These grilled pork skewers use a sweet soda marinade to create exceptional tenderness and caramelization. The combination of soda, soy sauce, fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and salt builds balanced layers of flavor that work beautifully on the grill. The acidity softens the pork while the sugars encourage crisp edges and rich browning. This makes the recipe ideal for cooks of all skill levels who want something fast, flavorful, and easy to prepare.
Thin slicing helps the marinade penetrate deeply and shortens the cooking time. A brief freeze before cutting ensures clean, even slices that cook uniformly. As the pork absorbs the marinade, it becomes juicy and fragrant, taking on a savory sweetness that intensifies when it hits the grill. The transformation happens quickly, which makes this dish perfect for weeknight meals or gatherings when you need reliable results without complicated steps.
Cooking over medium heat keeps the sugars from burning while allowing the pork to develop a deep golden color. Frequent turning creates even caramelization and locks in moisture. The skewers pair well with rice, grilled vegetables, noodles, or fresh herbs, making them a versatile option for meal planning. The flavors appeal to both adults and kids, which makes this recipe a strong addition to your regular rotation.
Leftovers reheat beautifully and can be added to bowls, tacos, wraps, or stir fries. The marinade is easy to scale if you want to batch prep or cook for a crowd. Since it uses pantry friendly ingredients, this recipe fits well with simple grocery planning and seasonal cooking. These skewers offer a dependable, high reward meal with very little effort, which aligns with the Pantry Savvy mission to make home cooking simple, cost effective, and enjoyable.

1. Prepare the porkPlace the pork butt in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes until slightly firm, which makes slicing easier. Remove from the freezer and cut into thin pieces no thicker than one quarter inch.Uniform slices grill more evenly and develop better caramelization.Use a lined cutting board to simplify handling raw pork.

2. Make the marinadeCombine the sweet soda, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, fish sauce, brown sugar, kosher salt, and smashed garlic cloves in a bowl. Add the sliced pork and mix well.Press out excess air from the marinade bag to ensure full contact.Mix the marinade in a measuring cup for easier cleanup.

3. Marinate the porkRefrigerate the pork for 4 to 6 hours to allow the flavors to develop and the meat to tenderize.Longer marinating time yields deeper flavor but is not required for great results.Place the bag in a shallow dish to catch any drips.

4. Prepare the grillPreheat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates to reduce sticking.Medium heat prevents the sugars in the marinade from burning.Oil the grates with a paper towel to keep hands clean.

5. Assemble and grill the skewersThread the marinated pork slices onto skewers and grill for about fifteen minutes, turning every few minutes until golden, caramelized, and cooked through.Frequent turning builds even color without burning.Line the resting plate with foil for easy disposal of drippings.

boneless pork butt1/2 lb

- meat

sweet soda2 cup

- beverages

fish sauce2 tbsp

- Condiments

Brown Sugar3 tbsp

- Baking

soy sauce1/2 cup

- Condiments

rice wine vinegar1/2 cup

- international

Kosher salt2 tsp

- Spices

Garlic cloves6 count

- Produce

bamboo or metal skewers0 count

- household

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