These juicy Vietnamese lemongrass pork chops (thit heo nuong xa) soak up a punchy marinade that’s just made for BBQ season. You’ll love how caramelized, tender, and full of flavor the pork turns out.
🍚 Ingredient Tips & Substitutes
You can also use this marinade with other pork cuts; try shoulder steaks, pork belly, or spare ribs. Just avoid very lean cuts like tenderloin, since they can dry out on the grill.
- Pork chops Traditional Vietnamese grilled pork chops use bone-in pork loin chops, cut fairly thin so they cook quickly on the grill and stay juicy. You’ll also love these hoisin pork chops!
- Lemongrass Adds the citrusy, herbal brightness that’s typical for Vietnamese-style marinades. Use only the tender white part, finely minced.
- Thai shallot Smaller and sweeter than regular shallots. If you can’t find them, regular shallots or even mild red onions work fine.
- Garlic
- Fish sauce Salty and full of umami. I personally always use Megachef.
- Oyster sauce Adds a savory, lightly sweet flavor.
- Sugar Helps balance the saltiness while encouraging caramelization on the grill.
- Black pepper
- Oil Added to the marinade to help the pork stay moist.
These traditional Vietnamese lemongrass pork chops (thit heo nuong xa) are made for summer BBQs. The simple marinade is easy to prep ahead, and the flavor is spot on every single time. Tried it? Let me know how it turned out in the comments! Follow me on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more!
Vietnamese Lemongrass Pork Chops (Thit Heo Nuong Xa)
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cutting board and knife
- Mortar and pestle (or food processor)
- Large mixing bowl
- Grill or grill pan
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 stalks lemongrass finely chopped
- 1 Thai shallots sliced
- 2 cloves garlic sliced
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp oil
- ½ tbsp sugar
- 3 pork chops
Instructions
- Thinly slice the lemongrass, roughly chop the Thai shallot, and slice the garlic to make pounding easier.
- Add the lemongrass to a mortar and pestle and pound until starting to break down. Add shallots, garlic, and black peppercorns, and continue pounding to a coarse paste.
- Transfer the paste to a bowl. Mix in fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and oil until evenly combined.
- Add the pork chops and toss to coat well. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grill the pork chops for about 3–4 minutes per side, until cooked through.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and should be considered approximate.
🥩 How to make lemongrass pork chops
- Thinly slice the lemongrass, roughly chop the Thai shallot, and slice the garlic. Pre-cutting these helps them break down more easily when pounding.
- Add just the lemongrass to a mortar and pestle first. Pound until it begins to break down. Add the chopped shallots, garlic, and black pepper, and continue pounding until everything forms a coarse, fragrant paste.
- Transfer the pounded paste to a mixing bowl. Stir in the fish sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and oil until well combined.
- Place the pork chops into the bowl, turning to coat them evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours for the deepest flavor).
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Grill the pork chops for about 3–4 minutes per side, until cooked through.
❓Frequently asked questions
What to serve with lemongrass pork chops? Serve with steamed rice, sliced cucumber, and a topping of scallion oil or nuoc cham sauce for extra brightness and balance. You can also serve them with pickled vegetables or a fresh herb salad.
How long to grill pork chops? Grill them over medium-high heat for about 3–5 minutes per side if they are thin, or 5–7 minutes per side for thicker cuts, until nicely caramelized and cooked through to an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F).
How to cook marinated pork chops in air fryer? Cook them at 190°C (375°F) for about 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway, until fully cooked. You won’t get quite the same smoky flavor as grilling, but the pork will still turn out tender and delicious.
How to bake marinated pork chops? Place them on a lined baking sheet and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F) and the pork is caramelized and cooked through.
