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Pinchos morunos with roasted potatoes

Pinchos morunos are small pork skewers marinated in Spanish spices, served with roasted potatoes, for 4 people in 50 minutes. It's an easy recipe at €2.80 per serving. The key to success is marinating time, at least two hours, so the pork fully absorbs the spices.

Tonight, small Andalusian style pork skewers marinated in spices, with golden roasted potatoes.

Pinchos morunos with roasted potatoes
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
530 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Pork tenderloin, cut into cubes and marinated in cumin, sweet and smoked paprika, turmeric and lemon, turns a deep golden color with a scent that recalls grilling in southern Spain. Seared in a very hot pan, the skewers stay juicy inside while the outside caramelizes lightly thanks to the spices.

It's a dish that works for kids and guests alike, simple enough for a weeknight if you make the marinade ahead, yet flavorful enough to feel special on a Sunday. The potato wedges, roasted skin on, bring a comforting side that balances the gentle heat of the spices.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Pork tenderloin 700 g

Pantry

  • Cuminoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Sweet paprikaoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Smoked paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Lemon 1
  • Parsley 4 sprigs
  • Potatoes 1 kg

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the pork into cubes and mix with 3 tablespoons of oil, the spices, crushed garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper, then let it marinate. 30 min

    Never marinate without oil, it's what carries the spices into the meat.

  2. Cut the potatoes into wedges with the skin on, and toss them with salt, pepper and olive oil.

    Dry potatoes roast better, pat them dry first.

  3. Spread the potatoes on a baking sheet and roast at 210°C, turning them halfway through. 35 min

    Don't crowd them, or they'll steam instead of turning golden.

  4. Thread the meat onto skewers, alternating the cubes evenly.

    If using wooden skewers, soak them in water first so they don't burn.

  5. Sear the skewers in a very hot pan, turning them, and serve with chopped parsley. 10 min

    Don't pierce the meat while cooking, it keeps the juices in.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a firm pork tenderloin and cut the cubes to an even size so they cook at the same rate on the skewers.
  • Make the marinade the night before if you can, the pork only gets more flavorful by the next day.
  • Make sure the pan is truly very hot before adding the skewers, that's what gives a good sear without drying out the meat.

The variations

  • Swap the pork tenderloin for chicken, the marinating time stays the same but the stovetop cooking will be a bit shorter.
  • For a vegetarian version, use zucchini and bell pepper chunks marinated the same way and threaded onto skewers.
  • For kids, skip the skewers and just sear the pork cubes directly, and cut back on the smoked paprika.

What to serve it with

  • A fresh tomato salad
  • Bread for scooping up juices
  • A yogurt and mint sauce

Storage

Cooked skewers keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a pan so the meat doesn't dry out. You can freeze the raw marinated pork, but not the cooked dish with the potatoes.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can marinate the pork up to the night before in the fridge. The longer it marinates, the more flavor it picks up, up to about 24 hours.

Can you bake the skewers instead of pan searing them?

Yes, bake them at 220°C for about 12 minutes, turning halfway through. A very hot pan still gives a deeper sear though.

What if I don't have smoked paprika?

You can double the sweet paprika instead, the flavor will be less smoky but the recipe still works well. Smoked paprika mainly adds a barbecue style note.

How do you adapt this for young kids?

Sear the pork cubes without skewering them to avoid sharp sticks, and go lighter on the spiciest spices like smoked paprika. The roasted potatoes are usually a hit as they are.

How long does it take to make pinchos morunos with roasted potatoes?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in pinchos morunos with roasted potatoes?

About 530 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does pinchos morunos with roasted potatoes cost?

About €2.80 per serving, or €11.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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