Garlic butter pork bites are juicy, tender pork cubes pan-cooked in oil, then tossed in garlic butter with a splash of lemon. They're ready in 20 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights or quick meal prep.
Looking for more pork recipes?
Check out pan fried pork chops, air fryer pork tenderloin, and pulled pork breakfast.
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💡Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook
- Cooking Method: Stove-top
- Dietary Info: Keto, Primal, GAPS, Ancestral diet
- Tools Needed: sharp knife, cutting board, and cast-iron skillet
- Skill Level: Easy
What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Reasons to Love this Pork Chop Bites Recipe
Pork around here doesn't come by often. But when it does - it's gotta be the good stuff. Berkshire heritage breed, top-notch, melt-in-your-mouth kind of pork. If I don't have a local farmer's cut in my freezer, I reach for a piece from my monthly meat buy from Wild Pastures.
These pork chop bites? Hands down the best way to prepare it. Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, they're quick enough for a weeknight but fancy enough to feel like a delicious appetizer.
Crisped just right on the outside, tender on the inside, and ready to pair with whatever sides you love.
Honestly, once you make these, you'll never look at pork the same way again.
Ingredients for Pork Chop Bites
- Pork chops – boneless pork chops are tender and cook quickly. Cut them into 1-inch cubes for even cooking and crisp edges
- Seasonings - a simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, coconut sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder gives a nice sweet and savory flavor
- Avocado oil – great for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral taste
- Butter – adds richness and helps develop that crispy, golden crust
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic adds flavor and aroma near the end of cooking
Make it Ancestral
Use quality pasture-raised pork (I like heritage-breed Berkshire pork) and real butter or ghee. Cook your side dishes in bone broth for added nutrients, and serve the pork bites with a small side of fermented vegetables to support digestion.
How to Make Pork Bites
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1. Season
Toss the cubed pork chops in a bowl with sea salt, coconut sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
Step 2. Cook
Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Step 3. Melt
Remove the pork chops from the pan. Melt butter in the same pan. Add garlic cloves and cook until fragrant.
Step 4. Heat
Return the pork chops to the pan and toss to coat with the garlic butter. Add a splash of lemon juice over the pork bites.
Helpful Tips
- Cut pork evenly - for even cooking, make sure the pork is cut into uniform 1" cubes to help prevent some pieces from drying out while others are undercooked.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - sear the pork in a single layer. If needed, cook in batches to get a nice golden crust without steaming the meat.
- Let it rest before reheating - if making ahead, let the pork cool fully before refrigerating to avoid moisture build-up and soggy texture later.
- Deglaze for more flavor - after searing the pork and before adding garlic, add a splash of broth or lemon juice to scrape up the browned bits. It adds great flavor to the garlic butter.
Troubleshooting
- Pork is tough or dry? This usually means it's overcooked. Make sure you don't go beyond 145°F internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Quick searing is key.
Serving Suggestions
We love serving this crispy pork bites with Yukon gold mashed potatoes or any roasted vegetable like Brussels sprouts or roasted broccolini recipe.
Fresh salads – Don't forget to round out your meal with refreshing and vibrant salads. Romaine salad and arugula salad are great options.
Condiments – To add probiotics and balance the rich pork flavor, serve with raw sauerkraut or fermented carrots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover pork chop bites in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers. To reheat, transfer the pork bites to a small saucepan and warm over medium-high heat, stirring often.
Yes, they freeze well! Let the pork bites cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for about an hour. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake or air fry from frozen at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crispy again - no need to thaw.
Yes! Pork shoulder or pork belly also work great for this recipe. Adjust the cooking time as fattier cuts may take a bit longer to crisp up.
Definitely! Cook at 400°F (200°C) for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
Looking for more healthy pork recipes? Here are some ideas:
Did you make these pork nuggets? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Crispy Garlic Butter Pork Bites
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork chops, boneless cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Toss the cubed 1 pound pork chops, boneless in a bowl with 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon coconut sugar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Heat the 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork in a single layer and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Remove the pork chops from pan. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan. Add 2 garlic cloves and cook until fragrant.
- Return the pork chops back to the pan and toss to coat with the garlic butter. Add a splash of lemon juice over the pork bites.
Notes
- Cut pork evenly - for even cooking, make sure the pork is cut into uniform 1" cubes to help prevent some pieces from drying out while other are undercooked.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - sear the pork in a single layer. If needed, cook in batches to get a nice golden crust without steaming the meat.
- Let it rest before reheating - if making ahead, let the pork cool fully before refrigerating to avoid moisture build-up and soggy texture later.
- Deglaze for more flavor - after searing the pork and before adding garlic, add a splash of broth or lemon juice to scrape up the browned bits. It adds great flavor to the garlic butter.
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