Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables

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

Juicy pork marinated with fresh lemongrass and garlic, grilled to smoky perfection and served alongside crisp, tangy pickled carrot and daikon slaw. This vietnamese-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 85 minutes pairs thinly sliced pork shoulder, finely minced lemongrass stalks, minced 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.

Prep: 75 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix well and marinate covered in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare quick pickled vegetables: in a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup water. Heat gently until sugar and salt dissolve, then pour over 1 large julienned carrot and 1 cup julienned daikon radish in a jar. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread marinated pork slices onto 8 soaked wooden skewers, folding the meat to fit.
  4. Step 4: Grill pork skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until charred at edges and cooked through. Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Serve pork skewers garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro alongside the pickled carrot and daikon slaw.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (75 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables?

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 thinly sliced pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables?

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-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables 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-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Pickled Vegetables?

Vietnamese bbq & smoked 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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