Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers

If you’ve never experienced the joy of Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers, you’re in for a treat! These delicious skewers are a popular street food in Vietnam, beloved for their bold flavors and juicy texture. They typically consist of thinly sliced pork marinated in a mixture of lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, and a hint of sweetness. Once marinated, the pork is threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection, resulting in tender, flavorful bites that are sure to leave you craving more.

The Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers recipe is both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious, making it a favorite among home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. What sets this recipe apart is its vibrant combination of flavors and aromatic ingredients, which come together to create a dish that is both fragrant and savory.

One of the standout features of this recipe is its simplicity. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and a straightforward cooking method, it’s accessible to cooks of all skill levels. The marinade, made with lemongrass, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and soy sauce, infuses the pork with rich and complex flavors, resulting in tender and succulent skewers bursting with umami goodness.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions for Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers:

1. Lettuce Wraps: Serve the grilled pork skewers with large lettuce leaves, such as butter lettuce or romaine hearts. Allow guests to wrap the pork skewers in the lettuce leaves along with fresh herbs and vermicelli noodles for a light and refreshing meal.
2. Rice Noodle Bowls: Create rice noodle bowls by serving the grilled pork skewers over cooked vermicelli noodles. Add shredded lettuce, cucumber slices, bean sprouts, and fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil. Drizzle with nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce) or peanut sauce for extra flavor.
3. Banh Mi Sandwiches: Use the grilled pork skewers as a filling for Banh Mi sandwiches. Slice the pork thinly and layer it in a baguette with pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber slices, jalapenos, cilantro, and mayonnaise or Sriracha aioli.
4. Rice Vermicelli Salad: Make a refreshing rice vermicelli salad by tossing cooked vermicelli noodles with shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber slices, and fresh herbs. Top with sliced grilled pork skewers and drizzle with nuoc cham dressing.
5. Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Use the grilled pork skewers as a filling for Vietnamese spring rolls (Goi Cuon). Roll the pork along with vermicelli noodles, lettuce, fresh herbs, and cucumber in rice paper wrappers. Serve with peanut dipping sauce or hoisin sauce.
6. Grilled Vegetable Platter: Serve the grilled pork skewers alongside a platter of grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and onions. Add a dipping sauce such as nuoc cham or hoisin sauce for dipping both the pork and vegetables.
7. Side of Steamed Rice: Serve the grilled pork skewers with a side of steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice for a simple and satisfying meal.
8. Fresh Herb Garnish: Garnish the grilled pork skewers with plenty of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, Thai basil, and green onions for a burst of flavor and color.

These serving suggestions will complement the flavors of the Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers and create a delicious and memorable meal for your family and friends. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips

Here are some cooking tips to help you make delicious Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers:

1. Use Fresh Lemongrass: For the best flavor, use fresh lemongrass stalks. Trim off the tough outer layers and finely chop the tender white part of the stalks for the marinade.
2. Marinate for Flavor: Marinate the pork for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat fully. This ensures that the pork is tender, flavorful, and infused with the aromatic lemongrass marinade.
3. Thinly Slice the Pork: Thinly slice the pork against the grain to ensure tender and juicy skewers. Slicing the pork thinly also allows it to cook quickly and evenly on the grill.
4. Pre-soak Wooden Skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the pork onto them. This prevents the skewers from burning during grilling.
5. Thread Skewers Carefully: Thread the marinated pork slices onto the soaked skewers, weaving them in a zigzag pattern to ensure even cooking. Leave some space between the pork slices to allow heat to circulate and ensure thorough cooking.
6. Grill Over Medium-High Heat: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat before adding the skewers. Grilling over medium-high heat ensures that the pork cooks quickly and develops a nice char on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
7. Don’t Overcook: Be careful not to overcook the pork, as it can become dry and tough. Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the pork is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
8. Baste with Marinade: While grilling, you can baste the pork skewers with the remaining marinade to keep them moist and add extra flavor.
9. Rest Before Serving: Allow the grilled pork skewers to rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in juicier and more flavorful skewers.
10. Serve with Fresh Herbs: Serve the grilled pork skewers with plenty of fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil for a burst of freshness and flavor. These herbs complement the lemongrass marinade beautifully.

By following these cooking tips, you’ll be able to make delicious Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Skewers that are bursting with flavor and perfectly cooked every time. Enjoy!