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Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers

Fragrant Vietnamese pork skewers marinated in lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, grilled until caramelized and served with fresh dipping sauce. Plan ahead: marinate pork at least 2 hours.

42 minEasyServes 4260 cal/serving

VietnameseAppetizerGrillHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork shoulder (or pork butt), cut into 1-in cubes
  • 4 lemongrass stalks, tender inner part
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 shallots, roughly chopped
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce (for dipping sauce)
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (for dipping sauce)
  • 6 tbsp water (for dipping sauce)
  • 2 tsp sugar (for dipping sauce)
  • 1 fresh red chili (for dipping sauce), thinly sliced
  • 16 bamboo or metal skewers, soaked 30 min if bamboo

Instructions

  1. 1

    Finely mince 4 lemongrass stalks (tender pale inner stalks only). In a bowl, combine with 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 roughly chopped shallots, 3 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tbsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola). Stir to make the marinade.

  2. 2

    Add 2 lbs cut into 1-in cubes pork shoulder (or pork butt) to the marinade, toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

  3. 3

    Make the dipping sauce: whisk together 3 tbsp fish sauce (for dipping sauce), 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (for dipping sauce), 6 tbsp water (for dipping sauce), 2 tsp sugar (for dipping sauce), and 1 thinly sliced fresh red chili (for dipping sauce). Set aside.

  4. 4

    Thread the marinated pork onto 16 bamboo or metal skewers, packing pieces closely together.

  5. 5

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F/205°C). Oil the grates. Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once or twice, until charred in spots and pork registers 145°F (63°C) internally.

  6. 6

    Rest for 3 minutes, then serve with the dipping sauce.

Questions

How long does Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Can I halve or double Grilled Lemongrass Pork Skewers?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubling on the grill just takes more surface area; keep the heat zones the same.

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