Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs

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

Grilled pork marinated in aromatic spices served over vermicelli noodles with crisp vegetables and a tangy fish sauce dressing for a refreshing Vietnamese meal. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 55 minutes pairs pork shoulder, thinly sliced, fish sauce, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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: 15 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 460 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder and toss well to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Cook 8 oz rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions, usually soaking in hot water for 5-7 minutes until tender, then drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp peanut oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Divide cooked vermicelli noodles among 4 bowls and top each with grilled pork, 1/2 julienned cucumber, 1 julienned carrot, and a handful each of fresh mint and cilantro leaves.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts per bowl and serve with extra lime wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (40 min prep + 15 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 Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

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 Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

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 Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs 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 Vermicelli Bowl with Fresh Herbs?

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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