Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham

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

Tender pork marinated with fragrant lemongrass and grilled to perfection, served with a tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 50 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, stalks 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 280 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: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Thread the marinated pork slices onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, folding the slices to fit snugly without crowding.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat to 400°F. Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until pork is charred at edges and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the Nuoc Cham dipping sauce by whisking together 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp lime juice, 2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp chopped fresh chili, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 cup shredded carrot until sugar dissolves and sauce is balanced between sweet, sour, and spicy.
  5. Step 5: Serve the grilled pork skewers hot with Nuoc Cham sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

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, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

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 Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham 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 Lemongrass-Infused Grilled Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

Vietnamese pork 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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