Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions
Juicy pork strips stir-fried with fragrant lemongrass, garlic, and scallions for a quick, savory Vietnamese weeknight dish. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced, fish sauce 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 2 stalks fresh lemongrass stalks, white part only, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 4 stalks scallions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
- optional steamed jasmine rice for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Let marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 stalks finely minced fresh lemongrass; stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Add marinated pork to the skillet, spreading it out in a single layer. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until pork is browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Toss in 4 chopped scallions and stir-fry for another minute until scallions are slightly softened but still bright green.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (20 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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions?
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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions?
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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions 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 Stir-Fried Lemongrass Pork with Garlic and Scallions?
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.