Low-Simmer Lemongrass Pork Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A fragrant Vietnamese stew featuring tender pork slowly simmered with lemongrass, star anise, and caramelized shallots for a deeply savory broth. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, lemongrass stalks, shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 6, 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: 120 min Serves 6 Vietnamese cuisine 430 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 lbs, cut into 1-inch chunks pork shoulder
2, bruised and cut into 3-inch pieces lemongrass stalks
4 medium, thinly sliced shallots
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 whole star anise
4 cups water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
for serving fresh lime wedges
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced shallots and sauté for 5-7 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown.
Step 2: Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder to the pot and brown on all sides for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 whole star anise, and 2 bruised lemongrass stalks. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Pour in 4 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until pork is tender and the broth is rich.
Step 5: Season stew with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove lemongrass stalks and star anise before serving.
Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with fresh lime wedges for squeezing over the stew.