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Garlic Pork Bites

Garlic pork bites with crispy, golden 1-inch pork cubes pan-fried in a sizzling garlic butter skillet and tossed with fresh herbs. Ready in under 15 minutes with a foamy garlic-butter coating and bright lemon finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Garlic pork bites
  • 1.5 lb pork tenderloin or chops Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste Use to season the pork.
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 6 cloves garlic Minced.
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley Chopped.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season pork
  1. Toss pork cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated, making sure every surface is dusted.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Pan-fry and make garlic butter
  1. Add pork in a single layer without crowding and cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until deep golden on the bottom.
  2. Flip and cook for 2–3 more minutes until the second side is golden and the pork looks cooked through.
  3. Push pork to the edges, add butter, garlic, and thyme to the center, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant and foamy.
  4. Toss pork in the garlic butter to coat, then cook for 1 more minute so the sauce clings to the cubes.
Finish and serve
  1. Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley, then serve immediately while the pork is hot and glossy.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the skillet at a steady medium-high so the pork browns without steaming—cook in a single layer and avoid crowding. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days in a sealed container; reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Freezing isn’t recommended for best texture, but you can freeze up to 2 months if needed. Dietary swap: use ghee instead of butter if you want a dairy-forward flavor with no lactose concerns (still not lactose-free for everyone).