Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers
Tender pork skewers marinated in fragrant lemongrass and Thai spices, grilled to juicy perfection with a slight char and served with a tangy dipping sauce. This thai-inspired thai ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, lemongrass stalks, minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp lemongrass stalks, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground white pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 bamboo skewers, soaked
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 1 tsp chopped red chili
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb cubed pork shoulder with 2 tbsp minced lemongrass, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp ground white pepper, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix thoroughly and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated pork cubes onto 8 soaked bamboo skewers evenly.
- Step 3: Grill the pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Step 4: While grilling, prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tbsp water, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, and 1 tsp chopped red chili until the sugar dissolves.
- Step 5: Serve the grilled pork skewers hot with the tangy lime-cilantro dipping sauce on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers 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 Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers?
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 lemongrass stalks, minced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers?
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 Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers 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 Grilled Lemongrass-Marinated Pork Skewers?
Thai thai 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit at my dinner party! The lemongrass flavor was perfect and the pork was so tender.
- ★★★★☆
Great recipe! The pork skewers were juicy and the grilling was easy. My family loved them.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor, but the marinade was slightly bland for my taste. I added extra garlic next time.