Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze
Tender pork marinated in lemongrass and garlic, grilled to perfection and brushed with a sweet-spicy glaze. This vietnamese-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder, stalks lemongrass, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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.
Ingredients
- 300g pork shoulder
- 3 stalks lemongrass
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 4 stalks green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, and place in a bowl. Finely mince 2 stalks lemongrass and 3 garlic cloves; mix with soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
- Step 2: Add pork to marinade, toss to coat, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Thread pork onto skewers, alternating with green onion slices. Brush with reserved marinade.
- Step 4: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F). Grill skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until pork is cooked through and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Mix chili flakes into remaining marinade for glaze. Brush onto skewers during the last 2 minutes of grilling until sticky and glossy. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze?
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 Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze?
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 Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pork Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze?
Vietnamese grilling 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect grilling recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.