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    Home » Mains » Pork, Ham, Bacon » Thai Pork Basil Skewers

    Thai Pork Basil Skewers

    Published: Aug 20, 2020 · Modified: Feb 5, 2021 by HWC Magazine · 76 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Delicious pork skewers on a white plate garnished with green onions and chili peppers.
    Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloins on a white plate.
    Top photo pork grilling on grill and bottom photo cooked and on a white plate.
    Turmeric Pork Skewers / https://www.hwcmagazine.com

    Our Thai Pork Basil Skewers are the BEST grilled Thai street food on a stick. It's made with a vibrant turmeric marinade and served with a Prik Nam Pla sauce that will tantalize your taste buds.

    Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloins on a white plate.

    The Other White Meat!

    You are going to just love this dish! Our easy Pork Skewers are melt in your mouth tender. Thai Cuisine is a great idea for a summer grilling and chilling entertaining. It is light, bright and is always a crowd pleaser.

    The "other white meat" is sometimes overlooked in the grilling scene. However, if you have ever tried our Bacon Wrapped Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, you know we are on to something delicious.

    These Asian pork kabobs are super aromatic from the spices and herbs. Once, you dip a slice into our Thai Basil Dipping sauce, you will be hooked. We can't wait for you to take your first bite.

    Perfectly tender grill pork tenderloins on skewers with prik nam pla sauce in wooden bowls.

    The Special Marinade

    The secret for success in making authentic Thai pork basil recipe is in the marinade. If you marinate pork tenderloin overnight, your skewers will be even more tender and flavorful. The delightful bath of turmeric, ginger, onion, garlic and fish sauce are going to make your taste buds sing.

    Did you know that turmeric, ginger, onion and garlic are all warming spices? They pair nicely with the Thai basil and cilantro lime dipping sauce. Marinating your proteins like in our Green Chicken Kabab Recipe tenderizes the meat and infuses flavor. It uses all the lovely fresh herbs and spices of the summer season.

    Spoonful of turmeric marinade over the food processor.

    Get Turmeric in your Spice Drawer

    If you do not have turmeric in your spice drawer, you need to get that sorted as soon as possible. You are missing out on so many delicious dishes and positive therapeutic effects. According to NIH, Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants and lowers your risk of heart disease.

    However, our favorite reason for using turmeric is the bright yellow-orange color it gives to curries and our Thai spicy basil pork skewers. We also love the warming turmeric in our Turmeric Vegetable Medley, Easy Moroccan Ground Lamb Stew and our Golden Spiced Noodle Soup.

    Fresh turmeric root and a chili pepper on a wooden cutting board.

    Cleaning up after a Turmeric Incident

    However, there is one small warning when using turmeric. Turmeric can stain clothes, kitchen counters, finger nails and even utensils if you do not clean them right away. We don't normally wear an apron in the kitchen but when we am cooking with turmeric, we do. In addition, we wear disposable gloves whilst we thread the marinated pork on the skewers - unless you like yellow nails.

    So how do you get turmeric off the countertop and clothes... bleach is the answer to that one.

    Equipment

    We used a food processor to make this delicious golden pork marinade. We blended onions, ginger, turmeric, garlic, coconut oil and fish sauce into a marinade. If you do not have a food processor, you can use a mortar and pestle.

    Marinating the pork tenderloins overnight, will make turmeric pork basil skewers super tender and flavorful.

    Perfectly cooked skewers garnished with chilis and prik nam pla on the side and limes.

    Thai Basil Dipping Sauce

    Now on to this delightful Thai basil dipping sauce. Thai basil is just a beautiful herb and it has an anise like scent. However, we know this herb is difficult to come by anywhere else, if you live outside of Asia.

    Therefore, just swap out Thai basil for just plain ordinary Italian basil. Our dipping sauce is just as beautiful either way. This dipping sauce is very similar to our Prik Nam Pla - The Incredible Thai Table Condiment. The only difference is that we swapped out Thai Basil for cilantro and green onions.

    Balancing the Flavors

    Thailand flavors always hold the balance of sweet, sour, savory and spicy. The only way you know if you hit the balance correctly, is to taste for yourself. We have really taken interest in really taking the time to be in the moment and practice mindful eating as a way to truly enjoy our food. Try this technique while you are taste testing.

    Some people like the sauce more spicy, some more sweet and some more sour or salty. We like ours slightly spicy. However, the boys love it super spicy so we make a mild and a spicy version for the table. If you are new to Thai Cuisine, be sure to check our our Essential Thai Herbs and Spices article.

    Thai Basil dipping sauce.

    Recipe Exchanges and Substitutions

    You can make the dipping sauce diabetic friendly by exchanging out brown sugar with a sugar alternative. If you need to watch your sodium intake, hold the fish sauce in the turmeric pork basil marinade. Instead, use a little Mrs. Dash or dried chili flakes in the grilling process.

    Feel free to swap our the pork with chicken or even mushrooms and vegetables to keep it vegan.

    Thai Cuisine Side Dishes

    These are some of our favorite side dishes to serve with our kabobs.

    • Thai Grilled Watermelon Salad
    • Gluten- Free Thai Shrimp Pancakes
    • Thai Shrimp Mango Salad
    • Thai Pomelo Crab Salad Avocados

    Frequent Asked Questions (FAQ's)

    How to get Turmeric stains off countertops and plates?

    Each type of counter top surface will have a different specification on what can be used to lift a stain. Bleach water will usually lift the turmeric stain right off of most surfaces that you are allowed to use bleach on. However, to be safe, start with a little baking soda and water and with a gentle circular motion and see if the stain lifts. Adding a little lemon or vinegar might help as well. However, if you have marble, then maybe a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia will do the trick.

    If you get turmeric on your clothes, treat it right away. First, rinse in cold water and then a little stain remover, lemon juice or vinegar and soak to remove turmeric stain.

    We wear kitchen gloves to prevent the staining of our hands and finger nails while working placing turmeric pork on skewers.

    What is a good Thai Basil substitute?

    You can exchange with sweet Italian basil.

    What can I use if I do not have a blender or food processor

    Chop all of your ingredients finely and then use a mortar and pestle to make a paste.

    More Delicious Recipes with Turmeric

    Easy Spiced Golden Milk

    Golden Spiced Noodle Soup

    Turmeric Vegetable Medley

    Roasted Turmeric Spiced Turkey Breast

    Easy Moroccan Ground Lamb Stew

    Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Curry

    Recipe Featured in Low Sugar Living

    Low Sugar Living Magazine

    Did You Like Our Recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. Your feedback is always appreciated! Follow us for more delicious recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for our email list for more free recipes.

    Grilled Thai Pork Tenderloins on a white plate.

    Thai Pork Basil Skewers

    Thai Pork Basil Skewers is a delicious turmeric and ginger spiced pork tenderloin skewers with an amazing Prik Nam Pla sauce that will tantalize your sweet, sour, salty and spicy taste buds.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Mains
    Cuisine: Thai
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Marinate Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 294kcal
    Author: HWC Magazine

    Equipment

    • Blender or mortar and pestle

    Ingredients

    Marinade

    • 1.5 inch turmeric
      knob peeled and sliced (or 1 heaping teaspoon ground dried turmeric)
    • 1 inch ginger knob peeled and sliced (or ½ teaspoon ground dried ginger)
    • ¾ cup onion or 1 small onion chopped (can exchange with shallots, if you like)
    • 2 cloves garlic peeled and bashed
    • ¼ cup fish sauce
    • 2 tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1.5 pounds pork tenderloin
      cut into slices about ¼ inch thick (or can use other cuts of pork that you wish but may have to marinate longer)
    • 10-12 wooden skewers
      soak in water for ½ hour before using

    Thai Basil Dipping Sauce (or Prik Nam Pla)

    • 1 tablespoon Thai holy basil
      (holy basil) chopped or can use regular basil
    • 1 tablespoon cilantro
      (coriander) chopped
    • 2 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 2 teaspoon sugar or sugar alternative - (brown sugar or sugar alternative if diabetic)
    • 4 tablespoon lime juice
    • 1 clove garlic
      peeled and minced
    • chili to taste (fresh Thai bird chilis pack their punch in heat)

    Garnishes

    • limes optional
    • chili optional
    • green onions or cilantro optional
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Marinate the pork: In a food processor, add turmeric, ginger, onion, garlic, fish sauce and coconut oil. Blend well. (If you do not have a food processor you can do this in a mortar and pestle or just chop up finely instead) In a sealable baggie or sealed container add your sliced pork tenderloins pieces and add the turmeric marinade and mix well, cover and place in the refrigerator for up to overnight or at least one half hour marinade time.
      Spoonful of turmeric marinade over the food processor.
    • Make Thai Basil Dipping Sauce: In a small bowl add chopped Thai basil (or regular basil), chopped cilantro, fish sauce, brown sugar or sugar alternative, lime juice, garlic and chili to taste. Set Aside or place in refrigerator up to 24 hours in advance.
      Thai Basil dipping sauce.
    • Soak your wooden skewers for at least ½ hour. Skewer the pork lengthwise like you are using the wooden skewer to sew on the pork. Spread the pork slices flat so they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your skewer and pork slices, maybe only 2 slices of pork tenderloin per skewer.
      Marinated pork getting placed on wooden skewers.
    • Prepare and oil your grill and preheat. Cook your turmeric pork skewers for about 3 minutes on each side until nicely charred and cooked through.
      Turmeric Pork Skewers on the grill.
    • Serve your delicious Turmeric Pork skewers & Thai Basil Dipping Sauce as a delicious healthy meal. Enjoy!
      Thai pork Skewers perfectly grilled on a white plate next to a bowl of Thai basil dipping sauce.

    Video

    Notes

    The Thai Basil Dipping Sauce is essentially our delicious Prik Nam Pla sauce but with Thai Basil instead of cilantro. Thai Basil can be hard to come by outside of Asia. Please exchange with regular Italian basil or just make our delicious Prik Nam Pla: The Incredible Thai Table Condiment. 
    There is one small warning when using turmeric is it can stains clothes, kitchen counters, finger nails and even utensils if you do not clean them right away.
    We don't normally wear an apron in the kitchen but when we are cooking with turmeric, we do. In addition, we use gloves when threading the turmeric pork on the skewers so it does not stain your finger nails. If you wash you hands well right away you will probably be okay, if you prefer not to wear gloves. 
    So how do you get turmeric off the countertop and clothes... bleach is the answer to that one. 
    Sometimes we use fresh turmeric in the recipe. Dried ground turmeric and ginger work just fine in this recipe too.
    We used pork tenderloin for this recipe. However, you can use other cuts of pork as well but you may want to marinate longer or up to overnight. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 1936mg | Potassium: 798mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag us @HWCMagazine or hastag us #HWCMagazine!
    Turmeric Pork Skewers and Thai Basil Dipping Sauce_watermarked / https://www.hwcmagazine.com
    Turmeric Pork Skewers just off the grill garnished with chili and holy basil and sauce in a little white bowl.
    Turmeric Pork Skewers close up shot really tender and delicious.

    More Pork, Ham, Bacon

    • Pork carnitas burritos piled up on a plate with pineapple slaw and all the fixings.
      Carnitas Burritos with Pineapple Slaw
    • Pan-fried daikon bacon radish cake on a white plate garnished with chilis and green onions with chopsticks.
      Daikon Bacon Radish Cake
    • Air fryer spring rolls on a white plate with one cut in half and tea and Chinese New Year decorations in the back.
      Air Fryer Spring Rolls
    • Air Fried Ham with a cranberry glaze of a serving platter with oranges and fresh cranberries.
      Air Fryer Ham with Cranberry Glaze

    About HWC Magazine

    Join our Healthy World Cuisine medical editors (trained in both Western and Eastern Medicine) and learn how to EAT your way around the WORLD from the comfort of your own kitchen. Grab free health tips, recipe ideas, meal plans and gain a better understand how eating choices can affect your health. Be the healthier and happier YOU!

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Eha says

      May 06, 2021 at 12:07 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe ! Lovely marinade the proportions of which I shall copy ! Think enough of turmeric to use it medicinally against a high inflammatory index when there . . . SO important during this Covid era !!!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        May 06, 2021 at 2:17 am

        Thank you Eha. These little Thai skewers are one of the family's favorite during the grilling season. Could not agree more- crank up the turmeric. Stay well dear friend.

        Reply
    2. Raul says

      April 20, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      I love these -- we made them about a month ago. Great flavor from your seasoning mix

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        April 21, 2021 at 11:23 am

        Thank you Raul. Turmeric pork skewers are the perfect way to initiate the grilling season. So glad you enjoyed the marinade. Take Care

        Reply
    3. Carla says

      December 25, 2020 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      These would make a great little party food. I like the sauce recipe too.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        January 03, 2021 at 3:29 am

        Thank you Carla. These are great little bite sized skewers. One hand for a tropical drink and the other for a skewer makes for a fun appetizer.

        Reply
    4. Ian says

      December 20, 2020 at 3:15 am

      5 stars
      At my first job I dropped a container of blended turmeric and everyone in the kitchen was stained yellow for the rest of the shift. Gonna make these for old time's sake when we have our next reunion.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        December 23, 2020 at 9:34 pm

        Hi there Ian! That is somewhat comical but also totally get it. Nothing like a good curry spill... Hope you give our turmeric pork skewers with Thai Basil dipping sauce soon. Take Care

        Reply
    5. mjskitchen says

      September 06, 2020 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      A very interesting combination of flavors - the turmeric and basil. What a nice treat for a relatively simple holiday grilling dish. Thanks!

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        September 07, 2020 at 5:30 pm

        Thanks MJ. We have a couple of real good weekend grilling days ahead. Love a little turmeric during the the change of seasons, it really warms you up. Take care

        Reply
    6. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

      September 02, 2020 at 4:15 pm

      What a vibrant color to match its outstanding taste.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        September 02, 2020 at 6:39 pm

        Thank you Karen. We really crave turmeric during the change of seasons. Take Care

        Reply
    7. Ken says

      September 01, 2020 at 6:00 pm

      5 stars
      Easy good perfect -- great way to celebrate the last few days of grilling weather. Going to give this a go over the holiday weekend.

      Reply
      • HWC Magazine says

        September 02, 2020 at 6:41 pm

        Thanks Ken. Enjoy these last few days of grilling weather whilst they last. Take care

        Reply
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