🍜 Thai · Main · Medium difficulty · Contains meat or poultry
Pork Satay
A fragrant Thai main built around pork, seasoned with peanut butter and coconut milk.
- Prep time
- 11 min
- Cook time
- 24 min
- Total time
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Calories
- 394 kcal
- Protein
- 29 g
- Carbs
- 8 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Course
- Main
About this Thai grilled dish
Pork Satay is a Thai main built around pork. It takes about 35 min from start to finish, 11 minutes of prep and 24 minutes of cooking, and serves 4.
Cooking method: grilled dish. Difficulty is rated medium. Contains meat or poultry.
Good for: high protein, party & sharing, everyday healthy.
Ingredients
Quantities are for 4 servings. Change the servings in the app to rescale them automatically.
- 500 g pork, sliced
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 8 bamboo skewers
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Method
Step 1. Whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk and curry powder 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Step 6. Serve with the soy sauce and bamboo skewers, 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: 394 kcal, 29 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. Roughly 30% of the energy comes from protein, 8% from carbohydrate and 62% 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 Pork Satay
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 Pork Satay
How long does Pork Satay take to make?
It takes about 35 min in total: 11 minutes of prep and 24 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 394 kcal, with 29 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate and 27 g fat. These are estimates for the recipe's 4 servings.
Is Pork Satay gluten-free?
It is not marked gluten-free in our data. Use certified gluten-free alternatives for any sauces or stocks if you need to avoid 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 Pork Satay 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.