Huế-Style Spicy Grilled Pork Skewers

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

Tender pork marinated in a spicy, aromatic Huế-inspired blend, grilled to smoky perfection and served with fresh herbs and rice vermicelli. This vietnamese ready in about 35 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, lemongrass, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb 1-inch pork shoulder cubes, 2 tbsp finely minced lemongrass, 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tbsp minced shallots, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp chili flakes, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix well and marinate for at least 2 hours.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated pork cubes onto 8 soaked skewers.
  3. Step 3: Grill pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, turning until edges are charred and pork is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, cook 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, drain and rinse under cold water.
  5. Step 5: Serve grilled pork skewers over a bed of rice vermicelli with 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, 8 lettuce leaves, and 1 cup pickled carrots and daikon.
  6. Step 6: Accompany with 1/2 cup nuoc cham dipping sauce for drizzling or dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Huế-Style Spicy Grilled Pork Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Huế-Style Spicy Grilled 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, finely minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Huế-Style Spicy Grilled 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 Huế-Style Spicy Grilled 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 Huế-Style Spicy Grilled Pork Skewers?

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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