Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and Nuoc Cham

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

Tender grilled pork seasoned with lemongrass and garlic served in warm corn tortillas topped with fresh pickled carrots, daikon, and a tangy nuoc cham sauce. This vietnamese-inspired tacos & burritos ready in about 30 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, lemongrass stalks, minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 tbsp minced lemongrass, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp black pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pickled vegetables by mixing 1 cup julienned carrots and 1 cup julienned daikon radish with a pickling liquid made from 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Let sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated pork slices for 2-3 minutes per side until cooked through and slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Warm 8 small corn tortillas on the grill for 30 seconds per side.
  5. Step 5: Assemble tacos by layering grilled pork, a spoonful of pickled vegetables, a sprinkle of 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, and 2 tbsp chopped peanuts on each tortilla. Serve with 4 lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and Nuoc Cham 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-Style Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and 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 pork shoulder, thinly sliced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and 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 Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and 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 Pork Tacos with Pickled Vegetables and Nuoc Cham?

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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