Description
Savory garlic butter pork bites dance with zesty lemon green beans, creating a simple yet irresistible meal that promises restaurant-quality flavor in minutes. Succulent meat and crisp vegetables combine for a quick dinner that will satisfy hungry appetites with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs (680 grams) pork tenderloin or boneless pork chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Infuse pork cubes with a robust blend of seasonings, massaging salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder thoroughly into each piece to enhance flavor penetration.
- Preheat a robust skillet with olive oil until it shimmers with intense heat, creating an ideal searing environment for the seasoned pork.
- Arrange meat cubes in a precise single layer, ensuring maximum surface contact with the sizzling pan to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Execute a precise cooking technique, rotating cubes every 2-3 minutes to achieve an even golden-brown crust and maintain optimal internal temperature of 145F/63C.
- Transition the perfectly seared pork to a temporary holding plate, preserving its succulent texture and warmth.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium, introducing butter which will melt into a luxurious, glossy foundation for the forthcoming sauce.
- Incorporate finely minced garlic into the bubbling butter, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the cooking surface for approximately 30 seconds.
- Reintroduce the seared pork cubes into the fragrant garlic butter, gently tumbling them to ensure complete and elegant coating.
- Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile by delicately sprinkling freshly chopped parsley across the glistening pork bites.
- Simultaneously prepare lemon-infused green beans as a vibrant, zesty accompaniment to complement the rich, garlicky pork.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by patting pork cubes dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown sear.
- Use high-quality, fresh spices for a more intense and vibrant taste profile in the seasoning mix.
- Choose a cast-iron skillet for superior heat distribution and a spectacular crispy exterior on the pork bites.
- For a gluten-free version, replace regular butter with clarified butter or ghee and ensure all spices are certified gluten-free.
- Create a low-carb meal by serving the pork bites over cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides.
- Quickly slice garlic super thin or use a microplane for more even and faster flavor infusion in the butter sauce.
- Enhance protein absorption by letting seasoned pork sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Prevent overcrowding in the skillet to maintain high heat and achieve a perfect crispy exterior on each pork bite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg