🍳
LearnViz Cooking

🐓 Portuguese · Main · Medium difficulty · Contains meat or poultry

Piri-Piri Pork

A zesty Portuguese main built around pork, seasoned with piri-piri chillies and arlic cloves.

Prep time
15 min
Cook time
35 min
Total time
50 min
Servings
4
Calories
415 kcal
Protein
29 g
Carbs
9 g
Fat
29 g
Course
Main

About this Portuguese grilled dish

Piri-Piri Pork is a Portuguese main built around pork. It takes about 50 min from start to finish, 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.

Cooking method: grilled dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Contains meat or poultry, and marked gluten-free in our data.

Good for: high protein, party & sharing, date night, everyday healthy.

Ingredients

Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.

  • 500 g pork, sliced
  • 4 piri-piri chillies
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Method

  1. Step 1. Whisk together the piri-piri chillies, arlic cloves and olive oil to make the marinade.

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  2. Step 2. Coat the pork thoroughly and marinate for at least 20 minutes (overnight is even better).

    Heat
    Off, no heat
    Look for
    Everything is evenly coated or just combined, with no dry pockets.
    Why it matters
    Mixing spreads salt, fat and flavour through the food so every bite tastes the same.
    Avoid
    Overmixing batters and doughs makes them tough; stop once just combined.

  3. Step 3. Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat and oil the grates.

    Heat
    Medium to high
    Look for
    The oil shimmers and flows like water; a drop of water sizzles instantly.
    Why it matters
    Food added to a properly hot pan sears and browns instead of steaming and sticking.
    Avoid
    Adding food to a cold pan: it sticks, turns grey and soaks up oil.

  4. Step 4. Cook the pork for 4-6 minutes per side, basting with leftover marinade, until nicely charred.

    Heat
    Medium to high, stir or flip now and then
    Look for
    Golden-brown edges, a steady sizzle and a toasty smell.
    Why it matters
    Browning (the Maillard reaction) creates deep savoury flavour that boiling cannot.
    Avoid
    Overcrowding the pan: the temperature drops and food steams. Cook in batches.

  5. Step 5. Rest for 5 minutes so the juices settle.

    Heat
    Off, let it sit
    Look for
    Steam slows, juices settle and the dish firms up slightly.
    Why it matters
    Resting lets juices redistribute and flavours settle, and the food is easier to slice and eat.
    Avoid
    Skipping the rest: juices run out and the dish falls apart.

  6. Step 6. Serve with the lemons and oregano, plus a squeeze of lemon.

    Heat
    Warm plates
    Look for
    Hot food on warm plates with a fresh, bright garnish on top.
    Why it matters
    Garnish adds colour, crunch and freshness. Tasting and adjusting salt or acid at the end lifts the whole dish.
    Avoid
    Waiting too long: the dish cools and crisp parts go soft.

Chef's tip

Bring the protein to room temperature before grilling.

Equipment you will need

  • Grill or grill pan
  • Tongs
  • Mixing bowl

Nutrition per serving

Estimated per serving: 415 kcal, 29 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate and 29 g fat. Roughly 28% of the energy comes from protein, 9% from carbohydrate and 63% from fat, using standard energy values.

Nutrition values are estimates from typical ingredient profiles. They are not medical data, and brands and portions vary. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian about your diet.

When to cook Piri-Piri Pork

Substitutions and variations

  • Marinate for longer for deeper flavour, or use a yogurt-based marinade for tender results.
  • Oil the grill or pan rather than the food to reduce flare-ups.
  • Serve with a herb sauce or yogurt dip instead of a heavy sauce to keep the plate lighter.

Frequently asked questions about Piri-Piri Pork

How long does Piri-Piri Pork take to make?

It takes about 50 min in total: 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes of cooking. Times are estimates and depend on your stove, pan and how small you cut the ingredients.

How many calories are in one serving?

Each serving has about 415 kcal, with 29 g protein, 9 g carbohydrate and 29 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.

Is Piri-Piri Pork gluten-free?

It is marked gluten-free in our data. Still check labels on stock, sauces and spice blends, which can contain gluten.

Is it suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No, it contains meat or poultry. For a meat-free version, swap the main ingredient for tofu, chickpeas or mushrooms and adjust the cooking time.

How difficult is it to cook?

It is a medium-difficulty recipe: it needs some timing and several steps, so read through the method before you start.

Can I make Piri-Piri Pork ahead or freeze it?

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Most baked and saucy dishes freeze well for up to 3 months, but avoid freezing crisp items and salads.

How many servings does it make?

This recipe makes 4 servings. To change the amount, scale each ingredient in proportion. The interactive app's servings control does this automatically.

More Portuguese recipes

All Portuguese recipesOpen in the interactive app