Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Skewers
Tender marinated beef with fragrant lemongrass and garlic, grilled to perfection and served with fresh herbs. This vietnamese-inspired beef ready in about 30 minutes pairs (450 g), thinly sliced flank steak, 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 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g), thinly sliced flank steak
- 2, finely minced lemongrass stalks
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
- 8, soaked in water for 30 minutes bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 finely minced lemongrass stalks, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp lime juice. Whisk to blend.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced flank steak to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours.
- Step 3: Thread the marinated beef slices onto 8 soaked bamboo skewers, folding slices if needed for even thickness.
- Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers for 2-3 minutes per side until beef is nicely charred but still tender.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, and serve immediately with steamed rice or fresh vegetables.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Skewers 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 Lemongrass Beef Skewers?
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 minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Beef Skewers?
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 Lemongrass Beef Skewers 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 Lemongrass Beef Skewers?
Vietnamese beef 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.
