Vietnamese-Inspired Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork

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

A refreshing Vietnamese-style vermicelli noodle salad topped with marinated grilled pork and fresh herbs, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs rice vermicelli noodles, pork shoulder, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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: 25 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add 6 oz rice vermicelli noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil to make the marinade.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 pound thinly sliced pork shoulder to the marinade and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 20 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for about 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: To assemble, place 2 cups shredded lettuce on plates, top with cooked vermicelli noodles, grilled pork, 1/2 cup julienned carrots, 1/2 cup sliced cucumber, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.
  6. Step 6: Garnish each salad with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (25 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 Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork?

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 rice vermicelli noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork?

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 Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork 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 Vermicelli Salad with Grilled Pork?

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.

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