Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork

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

A vibrant salad combining crisp shredded green papaya with charred marinated pork, tossed in a zesty lime and fish sauce dressing. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs shredded green papaya, medium, shredded carrot, thinly sliced boneless pork shoulder 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 cups shredded green papaya and 1 medium shredded carrot, tossing to mix.
  2. Step 2: In another bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 finely chopped bird’s eye chili (optional) until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz thinly sliced boneless pork shoulder and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is browned and cooked through with slightly crisp edges.
  4. Step 4: Add the cooked pork to the papaya and carrot mixture, pour the dressing over, and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
  5. Step 5: Garnish the salad with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts, 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork 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 Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork?

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 shredded green papaya from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork?

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 Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork 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 Refreshing Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Pork?

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.

Related recipes