Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork marinated in lemongrass and garlic, served over jasmine rice with fresh herbs and pickled vegetables for a bright, satisfying bowl. This vietnamese-inspired rice & grains ready in about 30 minutes pairs ground pork, lemongrass stalk, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 20 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix thoroughly and let marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated pork and cook, breaking it apart with a spatula, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Divide 3 cups cooked jasmine rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with the cooked pork, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves.
  4. Step 4: Garnish each bowl with 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts and serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl 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 Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl?

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 ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl?

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 Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl 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 Lemongrass Pork Rice Bowl?

Vietnamese rice & grains 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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