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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
You can exchange with sweet Italian basil.
Chop all of your ingredients finely and then use a mortar and pestle to make a paste.
More Delicious Recipes with Turmeric
Roasted Turmeric Spiced Turkey Breast
Easy Moroccan Ground Lamb Stew
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Curry
Recipe Featured in Low Sugar Living
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Thai Pork Basil Skewers
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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve your delicious Turmeric Pork skewers & Thai Basil Dipping Sauce as a delicious healthy meal. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Brian Jones says
I love the sound of this I love finding new porkie ideas, a much under rated meat in my opinion and I love it... The Thai basil dressing sounds amazing and I love the flavour of turmeric!
KevinIsCooking says
Yes, yes, yes!
Man Bam, this looks outstanding. Love the turmeric marinade and I learned the hard way using fresh turmeric. It really does stain! I agree the longer the marinade the better and to top it off with that Thai basil dipping sauce looks like a bit of heaven. Delicious!
That last photo is just amazing!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Kevin, tell me about it... Today I made a little bit of your Moroccan spice rub with dry turmeric and yep.. we have a used to be white countertop with gold streaks...LOL Thanks goodness it cleans up easy with bleach. I will let my son know you like his photography...
Elizabeth says
I love the color combination of this dish. Tumeric is great for your immune system. Especially good in the winter to keep colds at bay.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Elizabeth. Turmeric is really good for your health and especially at the start of the school year to give our kids a little extra immune boost.
Priya Shiva says
These pork skewers look heavenly and such lovely flavours of ginger and delicious basil sauce!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Priya! Layers of flavours is always delicious. Wishing you a super weekend!
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
This looks sooo good! We've had a ton of Thai basil from or CSA this year and I'm always trying to figure out what to do with it. A girl can only have so many bowls of Thai noodles and basil. This recipe is perfect!
HapaNomNom says
I knew your son was going to a mountaineering course, but I didn't know it was NOLS - that's SO cool! What an amazing experience!
I love Thai skewers and this recipe certainly looks and sounds incredible! My husband would be all over this! So making this, this weekend! Pinned and Yummed, of course 🙂
Eha says
Wow!! Both skewers and sauce!! [Now I know a few are going to disengage when I admit I use more of your recipes than those from any other beloved source!]. Use turmeric almost every day and have for years: tho' at times have to admit to the powder form!! Have to get coconut oil. Want to prep the basil sauce properly: am planting a couple of kinds of Thai basil in about four weeks as always nice to have something 'holy' in my garden! . . . and then . . . to me it is SO different from ordinary summer basil [mine does not overwinter] that I'll happily wait for it!! . . . . and may we please have a little bit more info re your son's summer trip . . . .
Healthy World Cuisine says
Dearest Eha, your sweet comment just made my day. 🙂 I am glad that you are not afraid of my recipes that contain more than 5 ingredients as Asian recipes are just this way sometimes...but full of flavor. I think I may have over harvested my poor holy basil as today she is looking a little sad. I might need to start talking to my plants more or something?! LOL I tried freezing fresh turmeric and it does not stay firm like fresh ginger so not highly suggested but ground turmeric is nice too and so good for you.
My son has not stopped talking about his 30 day Alaskan trip in the Talkeetna tundra, it was a real positive experience for him. They learned how to cross fast moving rivers, climb in adverse conditions, be team players and also hone their leadership skills, how to deal with bears, moose, all all sorts of wildlife. His favorite part was learning wilderness first aid as this is an area he wants to study. They learned how to survive out in the wilderness with only 2 food drops in 30 days. The campers even made cinnamon rolls over the fire...with limited supplies. A trip with memories that will last a lifetime.
The Foodie Affair says
I do have turmeric in my spice drawer and I want to use if more often! Thanks for this delicious recipe! Pinning and sharing!
Robyn @ Simply Fresh Dinners says
Oh my goodness, Bobbi, did your son take that pic of Alaska? Stunning!
And this dish is just scrumptious! Love your tasty photos, I want to grab those right off the screen. I'm a big fan of turmeric as well and I know this combination of flavors must be fantastic. You're SO good at creating taste explosions!
Insanity indeed. Let's all hang on as summer ends, lol. Have a great weekend 🙂
nancyc says
This sounds like a great dish and that basil dipping sauce sounds especially good, since I'm such a basil-lover! 🙂
allthatsjas says
Your son is finally back, you must be one happy momma! Did he bring you any new spices? I only used turmeric in my samosas but will definitely try this recipe before summer is over! It looks delicious. Have a great weekend! XO
kitchenriffs says
I actually saw fresh turmeric root in our grocery store the other day! Amazed -- always have to make due with the dried stuff (which is pretty good, actually). But it's not a regular item -- I guess they got a deal on it or something. Sold out pretty quickly, though. Anyway, super dish. I'm with you on the color of turmeric -- so nice, isn't it? Really like this -- thanks.
shashi at runninsrilankan says
Turmeric, ginger, onion and garlic feature heavily in Sri Lankan cooking too and I grew up on these as a base to every curry/marinade around and so I am sitting here drooling at your pork skewers, Bobbie! And with that thai basil sauce - mmm - these must have been hard to resist!
Hoping you enjoy this last bit of summer with your boys and I bet your younger one had some stories to share after his trip!
Gerlinde@ Sunnycovechef says
What an unforgettable experience for you son.
Your combination of flavors are great and I love turmeric , together with the dipping sauce this pork tenderloin must be real taste sensation .
thehungrymum says
turmeric, from what I have read, is one of the best things you can consume - is full of life-gIVING PROPERTIES. Ooops, sorry - hit cap lock!