Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sweet and savory pork skewers marinated with lemongrass and garlic, served with a zesty Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, lemongrass stalks, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 pound thinly sliced pork shoulder, 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Thread marinated pork slices onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, folding slices as needed for even coverage.
  3. Step 3: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through with slight char marks.
  4. Step 4: For nuoc cham dipping sauce, whisk together 3 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chili until sugar dissolves.
  5. Step 5: Serve pork skewers garnished with 1/2 cup shredded carrot and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, alongside nuoc cham sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Caramelized Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce?

Vietnamese vietnamese like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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