Crispy Garlic Butter Pork Bites
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.
Servings 4 servings
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
Storage: Store pork bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, adding a splash of broth if needed to keep them moist. You can also freeze pork nuggets in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
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 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 684mg | Potassium: 451mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 427IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg