Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork with Pickled Carrots and Daikon

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender grilled pork marinated in lemongrass and garlic served with crisp, tangy pickled carrots and daikon for a refreshing contrast. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs pork shoulder thinly sliced, finely minced lemongrass stalks, minced 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 lb thinly sliced pork shoulder with 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare quick pickles by mixing 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt until sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup julienned carrots and 1 cup julienned daikon radish, and let sit for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill marinated pork slices for 3-4 minutes per side until charred edges appear and pork is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Serve grilled pork alongside pickled carrots and daikon with steamed jasmine rice or fresh lettuce leaves for wrapping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Style Grilled Pork with Pickled Carrots and Daikon take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Pickled Carrots and Daikon?

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 with Pickled Carrots and Daikon?

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 Pickled Carrots and Daikon 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 Pickled Carrots and Daikon?

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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