Cherry and Pork Skewers with Cherry Rosemary Sauce
Jun 29, 2020, Updated May 20, 2021
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This post is sponsored by our brand partner, Sage Fruit.
It’s that special time of year… Pacific northwest cherry season! PNW cherries, including Dark Sweet and Rainier varieties, are famous around the globe for their unmatched taste. In some parts of the world, people pay one dollar per cherry just to get a sweet taste of them! For those of us in the States, we are lucky this delicacy is readily available and affordable too.
Each year, we celebrate the arrival of northwest cherry season with delicious new recipes. This year, we are combining cherry season with our other favorite… grilling season!
Yes, cherries can be grilled! Grilling intensifies a cherry’s sweet flavors. The juices caramelize on the grill and the result is out of this world good! Don’t just take our word for it. Try this recipe for Cherry and Pork Skewers and see for yourself just how delicious grilled cherries can be!
Accompanying the skewers is a Cherry Rosemary Sauce. A combination of cherries, pinot noir, rosemary, and balsamic glaze, its deep flavors complement the mild, salty taste of the tenderloin. It’s also a nice balance to the sweetness of grilled cherries.
PRODUCE MOMS TIP: Store cherries in the refrigerator to prolong their shelf life. Before eating, wash your cherries by rinsing them under cool running water.
Making Cherry and Pork Skewers
Sprinkle diced pork loin with kosher salt and refrigerate in an airtight container overnight if possible, or at least for one hour before cooking. Toss the pork in olive oil about 30 minutes before cooking time. This is also a great time to soak your skewers in water so they don’t scorch on the grill. Assemble skewers by alternating cherries and pork. Cook on a hot grill (450 degrees) for about 8 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The internal temperature should be 145 degrees when the pork is done.
Make your sauce while the skewers are cooking by adding butter to a small saucepan. Over medium heat, cook diced shallots for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add in remaining ingredients and cook at a simmer until the liquid has reduced by half.
When you are ready to serve, drizzle the Cherry Rosemary Sauce over the Cherry and Pork Skewers.
RELATED ARTICLE: 3 Easy Ways To Pit Cherries
Cherry and Pork Skewers with Cherry Rosemary Sauce
Ingredients
Skewers
- 2 lb pork tenderloin cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 cups sweet cherries stems removed and pitted
- kosher salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- black pepper
Cherry Rosemary Sauce
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp scallions minced
- 2 cups sweet cherries stems removed and pitted
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dry red wine
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar glaze
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- black pepper to taste
- 5 sprigs fresh rosemary plus more for garnish
Instructions
Skewer Instructions
- Sprinkle the cubes of tenderloin with salt and pepper about an hour before you plan to grill them.
- Drizzle pork and cherries with olive oil 30 minutes before grilling and let sit at room temperature for a few minutes before grilling.
- Assemble skewers by alternating cherries and pork.
- Grill on a hot grill (450 degrees) for about 8 minutes, turning once, or until an internal temperature of 145 degrees is reached.
Cherry Rosemary Sauce Instructions
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced scallions to the saucepan and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Add remaining in remaining ingredients and simmer until the sauce has reduced by half.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Grilled cherries are more versatile than you might expect. They pair wonderfully with all different types of protein, not just pork. Try them with chicken, salmon, and whitefish too. They add vibrant color and flavor to salads. For dessert, serve them over ice cream or with shortcake and fresh whipped cream.
Be sure to look for Sage Fruit cherries at your grocery store and take advantage of the northwest cherry season while it lasts! Dark sweet cherries are available June through August. Rainier cherry season is even shorter, spanning June through mid-July. Grab them while you can!
RELATED ARTICLE: What Makes Sage Fruit Special?
Will you try grilling your northwest cherries this year? Let us know what you think! Share your recipe review in the comments below or join our Facebook group.
Other cherry recipe you may enjoy:
- Cherry and Lime Slushies
- Thai Cherry Basil Salad
- Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette
- Fresh Cherry Salsa
- Pickled Cherries
