Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs
A comforting Vietnamese soup featuring tender pork simmered with bitter leaf and fresh herbs for a balanced, fragrant broth. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 75 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, minced garlic cloves, thinly sliced shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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
- 200 g, washed and chopped fresh bitter leaves (Vernonia amygdalina)
- 400 g, cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2, thinly sliced shallots
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2, chopped scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced shallots, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 400 g pork shoulder cubes and brown evenly on all sides for 5 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour in 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, skim off any foam, and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes until pork is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 200 g chopped bitter leaves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes until the leaves soften and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped scallions and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro. Serve hot with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs?
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 Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs 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 Vietnamese Bitter Leaf Soup with Pork and Herbs?
Vietnamese soups 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.
