Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal
Tender pork braised slowly in a fragrant broth infused with lemongrass, galangal, and fish sauce, showcasing traditional Laotian flavors. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 170 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks, inch piece, sliced fresh galangal for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3, bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks
- 2-inch piece, sliced fresh galangal
- 5, smashed garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 medium, peeled and halved shallots
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp fresh black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup for garnish fresh cilantro leaves
- 4 for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 3 bruised and chopped lemongrass stalks, 2-inch sliced fresh galangal, 5 smashed garlic cloves, and 4 halved shallots to the pot. Stir for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups water, 4 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp fresh black peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
- Step 4: Simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until pork is tender and the broth is flavorful and slightly reduced.
- Step 5: Adjust seasoning with additional fish sauce or sugar if needed. Garnish with 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves and serve with 4 lime wedges on the side.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal?
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 smashed garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal?
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 Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Laotian Pork with Lemongrass and Galangal?
Asian 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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