Vietnamese-Style Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass
A modern take on bánh mì-inspired pork belly, using local honey and fresh lemongrass for authentic Vietnamese complexity. This vietnamese-inspired asian (gluten-free) ready in about 55 minutes pairs local honey, stalks, finely minced lemongrass, fish sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, 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, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes pork belly
- 3 tbsp local honey
- 2 stalks, finely minced lemongrass
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp, grated ginger
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix honey, fish sauce, minced lemongrass, minced garlic, grated ginger, and rice vinegar until smooth.
- Step 2: Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pork belly cubes and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
- Step 3: Pour honey mixture over pork belly, stirring to coat evenly. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes until pork is tender and sauce has thickened to a glossy glaze.
- Step 4: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 5 more minutes until sauce clings to the meat and edges are slightly crispy.
- Step 5: Transfer to a plate, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Vietnamese-Style Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass?
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 local honey from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Style Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass?
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 Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Vietnamese-Style Pork Belly with Local Honey and Lemongrass gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.
