Flavorful Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Chops
A quick and easy grilled pork chop recipe featuring a fragrant lemongrass marinade with garlic, fish sauce, and a hint of sweetness. Perfect for a flavorful and juicy dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick (1 lb or 450 g)
- 2 large lemongrass stalks, white and light green parts only, finely minced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or neutral oil
Instructions
- Trim off the root end and tough outer layers of lemongrass, keeping the tender white and light green parts. Finely mince until almost paste-like (about 5 minutes).
- In a medium bowl, combine minced lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, black pepper, chili flakes (if using), and oil. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture is fragrant (5 minutes).
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Place chops in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over them. Massage gently to coat evenly. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3-4 hours (do not marinate longer than 12 hours).
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F / 204°C). Clean and oil the grates (10 minutes).
- Remove chops from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place on grill and cook 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C) (approx. 10 minutes total).
- Transfer chops to a plate and loosely cover with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot with fresh herbs like cilantro or mint, a squeeze of lime, and sides such as steamed jasmine rice or cucumber salad.
Notes
Avoid marinating longer than 12 hours to prevent meat from becoming mushy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork reaches 145°F for safe and juicy results. If grilling indoors, use a grill pan or cast-iron skillet and watch for sugar burning. Rest meat after grilling for best juiciness. For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari and verify fish sauce gluten content.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Vietnamese pork chops, lemongrass pork chops, grilled pork chops, easy grilled dinner, lemongrass marinade, quick pork recipe