Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables

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

Fragrant lemongrass-marinated pork grilled to perfection, served alongside crisp pickled carrot and daikon for a refreshing Vietnamese-inspired dish. This Vietnamese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, lemongrass stalks, garlic cloves 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: 75 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare pickled vegetables by placing 2 julienned carrots and 1 cup julienned daikon radish in a jar or bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt until sugar dissolves. Pour over the vegetables and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove pork from marinade and grill pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until nicely charred and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Serve grilled pork over steamed rice or lettuce leaves, topped with drained pickled carrots and daikon. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges for squeezing over. Enjoy the balance of smoky, sweet, and tangy flavors.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (75 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 with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables?

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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables?

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 with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables 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 with Lemongrass and Pickled Vegetables?

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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