Northern Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers

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

Tender pork marinated in a fragrant lemongrass and fish sauce blend, grilled to smoky perfection on skewers for a taste of Northern Vietnam. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, lemongrass stalks, garlic cloves 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder
• 3 finely minced lemongrass stalks
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 8 soaked in water for 30 minutes wooden skewers

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1 tbsp lime juice to create the marinade.
2. Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated pork slices onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, folding slices as needed.
4. Step 4: Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until pork is cooked through and slightly charred at edges. Serve immediately with fresh herbs and steamed rice or lettuce wraps.