Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Tacos

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

Tender pork marinated with lemongrass and spices, grilled and served in soft tortillas with fresh herbs and pickled vegetables. This vietnamese-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 50 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: 40 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, 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread pork slices onto skewers or grill directly, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until caramelized and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Warm 8 corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side until pliable and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Assemble tacos by placing grilled pork onto each tortilla, topping with 1-2 tbsp pickled carrots and daikon, and garnishing with fresh cilantro leaves.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with lime wedges for squeezing over the tacos for bright, fresh flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Grilled Lemongrass Pork Tacos take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 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 Tacos?

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 Tacos?

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 Tacos 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 Tacos?

Vietnamese tacos & burritos 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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