There’s something irresistible about a perfectly cooked pork chop infused with lemongrass, garlic and fish sauce. A couple of weeks ago, one of my regular blog readers reached out and asked if I had a recipe for Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops. To my surprise, when I searched on my own website, there were zero results! I could hardly believe it, as this dish is such a Vietnamese classic.
So, when I went shopping last weekend, I made sure to pick up a pack of fresh pork chops, and dinner tonight was none other than Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops.
A quick and easy Vietnamese favourite
The beauty of Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops is that it doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. The trick is all in the marinade. As long as you spare a few minutes to prepare it in advance, dinner can be ready in no time. The pork turns out tender, juicy and bursting with flavour from the lemongrass, garlic and caramel sauce.
This dish is ideal for busy weeknights but also special enough for a family meal at the weekend.
How to prepare the pork chops
Pork chop is quite a lean cut, which means it can easily become dry if not handled properly. To keep it juicy, I start by using a meat tenderiser to tap each side of the pork chop gently. Then, I take a sharp knife and make a few small cuts along the edges – this helps prevent the meat from curling up when it cooks.
Once that’s done, I place all the pieces in a large mixing bowl and get ready to prepare the marinade.
The marinade for Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops
The sauces
- Fish sauce
- Soy sauce
- Oyster sauce
- Honey
- Condensed milk
- Olive oil or sesame oil (for brushing)
- Caramel sauce – made by melting a tablespoon of caster or light brown sugar over low heat until golden and caramelised, then adding about 50ml water before turning off the heat. Stir well to get a smooth caramel sauce.
The aromatics
- Lemongrass
- Garlic
- Onion or shallot
- Pointy red pepper or chilli if you would like it spicy
I add all the aromatics into my mini blender and give them a few blitzes until they form a paste. Then I combine both the sauces and the aromatics with the tenderised pork chops, mixing thoroughly so each piece is evenly coated.
Cover and let the pork marinate for at least 2 hours to allow all the beautiful flavours to absorb.
Cooking the pork chops
When it’s time to cook, I often use my air fryer for convenience. Fry in the air fryer at 200-220°C for about 8-10 minutes then flip over and fry for another 5-7 minutes until golden brown and slightly caramelised on the edges.
You can also pan fry or grill the pork chops in the oven if you prefer, both methods work beautifully and deliver that same irresistible aroma of lemongrass and garlic filling your kitchen.
How to serve
I usually serve Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice and a one-sided fried egg on top – a classic Vietnamese combination. Some quick pickled vegetables and a side of steamed greens complete the meal perfectly.
I also like making spring onion oil to drizzle on the grilled pork chops before serving. To make it, heat a couple of tablespoons of oil in a small pan, then add chopped spring onion (the green part only). Immediately remove the pan from the heat and pour the mix of hot oil and onion into a bowl. This quick method keeps the onions bright green and aromatic, adding a gorgeous sheen and a lovely fragrance to the pork.
The pork turns out soft and juicy, never dry, full of flavour and the signature fragrance of lemongrass. Every bite feels comforting and delicious, just like home.
Tips and variations
- If you like stronger flavours, add an extra stalk of lemongrass.
- For a smoky aroma, grill the pork chops over charcoal instead of using the air fryer.
- You can also use the same marinade for chicken thighs or pork belly, it works just as well.
- Drizzle with spring onion oil before serving for an extra layer of flavour and aroma.
Final thoughts
Whether for a quick dinner or a weekend family feast, these Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops bring together the best of Vietnamese home cooking – simple ingredients, beautiful aromas and incredible flavour. Once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make it again.
If you enjoy quick and flavourful meals like this, don’t forget to check out my other easy Vietnamese recipes in this section, perfect for busy weeknights but full of authentic taste.
Vietnamese Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops (Sườn Cốt Lết Nướng Sả)
Description
These Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops are a true Vietnamese favourite — fragrant, juicy and full of flavour. The pork is tenderised and marinated in a mix of lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce and a touch of homemade caramel sauce for that signature glossy finish. Perfect for a quick family meal served with rice, fried egg and pickles.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Prepare
- Tenderise pork chops and make small cuts along the edges to prevent curling.
- Make the caramel sauce by melting sugar until golden then carefully add water and stir until smooth.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
-
Marinate
- Blend lemongrass, garlic, onion and chilli into a paste.
- In a large bowl, mix the paste with fish sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, condensed milk, olive oil and the caramel sauce.
- Add the pork chops and coat evenly.
- Cover and marinate for at least 2 hours.
-
Cook
- Air fry at 200-220°C for 8-10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 5-7 minutes until golden and caramelised.
- Alternatively, pan fry or grill in the oven for similar results.
-
Finish & Serve
- Make the spring onion oil: heat oil in a small pan, add chopped green onion (green part only), then remove from heat immediately and pour into a bowl.
- Drizzle the spring onion oil over the grilled pork chops.
- Serve hot with steamed rice, fried egg and pickles.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 407.09kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22.62g35%
- Saturated Fat 6.01g31%
- Trans Fat 0.17g
- Cholesterol 117.16mg40%
- Sodium 842.44mg36%
- Potassium 731.47mg21%
- Total Carbohydrate 13.49g5%
- Dietary Fiber 0.56g3%
- Sugars 9.5g
- Protein 36.14g73%
- Vitamin A 12.34 mcg
- Vitamin C 10.53 mg
- Calcium 69.84 mg
- Iron 1.88 mg
- Vitamin D 0.84 mcg
- Vitamin E 1.41 mg
- Vitamin K 15.1 mcg
- Thiamin 0.83 mg
- Riboflavin 0.37 mg
- Niacin 11.48 mg
- Vitamin B6 1.26 mg
- Folate 16.08 mcg
- Vitamin B12 0.95 mcg
- Phosphorus 387.24 mg
- Magnesium 63.6 mg
- Zinc 3.27 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
