Warm Coffee-Rubbed Pork Bowl with Brown Rice, Roasted Squash, and Lime Yogurt
🍽️ Lunches
Intermediate

Warm Coffee-Rubbed Pork Bowl with Brown Rice, Roasted Squash, and Lime Yogurt

An original, balanced lunch bowl featuring pork tenderloin seasoned with mild coffee spices, fluffy brown rice, roasted squash, and a fresh lime yogurt sauce. It offers contrasting textures with a savory, lightly smoky, and citrusy profile.

20 minPrep
35 minCook
55 minTotal
4Servings
High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings
4
  • 500 g pork tenderloin (cut en medallones gruesos)
  • 600 g cooked brown rice (hot)
  • 500 g butternut squash (pelada and diced small)
  • 240 g plain Greek yogurt (without sugar)
  • 1 unit lime (zest and 30 ml/2 tbsp of juice)
  • 45 ml olive oil (divided)
  • 6 g finely ground coffee (suave, no instantáneo)
  • 4 g smoked paprika
  • 2 g ground cumin
  • 2 g garlic powder
  • 15 ml honey
  • 30 g pumpkin seeds (tostadas)
  • 80 g red onion (en pluma fina)
  • 60 g baby spinach (fresh)
  • 6 g salt (or to taste)
  • 2 g black pepper (or to taste)

Nutrition facts

per serving

542 kcal
Calories
34 g
Protein
43 g
Carbs
25 g
Fat
5 g
Fiber
38 g
Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

  1. 1

    1. Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place the butternut squash on a sheet pan and toss it with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 g (1/2 tsp) salt, 1 g (1/4 tsp) black pepper, and the red onion. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes at 220°C / 425°F, stirring halfway through, until the squash is tender and caramelized.

  2. 2

    2. While the squash roasts, prepare the pork. In a small bowl, mix the ground coffee, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, 2 g (1/2 tsp) salt, and 1 g (1/4 tsp) black pepper. Rub the pork tenderloin with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and the honey, then coat it with the spice mixture.

  3. 3

    3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and sear the pork for 2 minutes per side until browned. Lower to medium heat and cook for 6 to 8 minutes more, turning once, until the center reaches 63°C / 145°F. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips or medallions.

  4. 4

    4. In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt with the lime zest, 30 ml (2 tbsp) lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.

  5. 5

    5. If needed, reheat the cooked brown rice. Divide the rice among 4 bowls and top each with a handful of baby spinach so it softens slightly from the heat.

  6. 6

    6. Arrange the roasted squash and red onion over the rice, add the sliced pork, and finish with spoonfuls of the lime yogurt.

  7. 7

    7. Sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds over the top and adjust with the remaining salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, let the pork sit with the coffee-spice rub for 15 minutes before cooking. Lightly toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes to enhance their aroma.

Substitutions

You can swap the pork tenderloin for chicken breast if you prefer a different protein. Butternut squash can be replaced with cubed sweet potato, and Greek yogurt can be substituted with lactose-free plain yogurt if desired.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

  • Illustrative image: Air fryerIllustrative image

    Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer

    Browning and baking with little oil

    • Browns food with very little oil
    • Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
    • Check the basket capacity
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Digital kitchen thermometerIllustrative image

    TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer

    Checking doneness of meat and chicken

    • Checks doneness of meat and chicken
    • Quick reading
    • Clean the probe after each use
    View on Amazon
  • Illustrative image: Non-stick frying panIllustrative image

    T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan

    Eggs, omelets and stir-fries

    • Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
    • Comfortable, sturdy handle
    • Use wooden or silicone utensils
    View on Amazon

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