Vietnamese-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham

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

Tender pork skewers marinated with fragrant lemongrass and garlic, grilled to perfection and served with a classic tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 27 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, stalks lemongrass stalks, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb 1-inch cubed pork shoulder, 3 stalks finely minced lemongrass, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss well and marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Thread the pork cubes onto 8 soaked wooden skewers evenly.
  3. Step 3: Grill the skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes, until pork is cooked through and slightly charred at edges.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare Nuoc Cham dipping sauce by whisking together 3 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 small thinly sliced red chili, and 1 minced garlic clove until sugar dissolves.
  5. Step 5: Serve the grilled pork skewers hot with the Nuoc Cham sauce on the side for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

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 garlic cloves, minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

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-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham 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-Style Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers with Nuoc Cham?

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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