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Garlic Pork Bites

Garlic pork bites are pan fried until crispy and golden, then tossed in a sizzling garlic butter sauce with thyme and fresh parsley. This quick pork recipe cooks in under 15 minutes and delivers pork cubes with a flavorful, aromatic 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
  

pork tenderloin or chops, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1.5 lb pork tenderloin or chops Cut into 1-inch cubes.
garlic powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
salt and black pepper to taste
  • 0.25 salt To taste.
  • 0.25 black pepper To taste.
olive oil
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
butter
  • 3 tbsp butter
garlic
  • 6 cloves garlic Minced.
fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley Chopped.
lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Season the pork
  1. Toss the pork cubes with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
Pan-fry
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the pork in a single layer without crowding and cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until golden.
  3. Flip the pork and cook for 2–3 more minutes until golden on the second side.
Garlic butter toss
  1. Push the pork to the edges, add the butter, garlic, and fresh thyme leaves to the center, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Toss the pork in the garlic butter to coat and cook for 1 more minute.
Finish and serve
  1. Finish with lemon juice and fresh parsley, then serve immediately.

Notes

For best browning, cook the pork in a single layer and avoid moving it during the first 3–4 minutes. 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 because the pork can lose its crisp texture. For a dairy-free option, swap butter for an equal amount of olive oil (or vegan butter) and still add garlic and thyme to the center.