Easy and Tasty Vietnamese Pork Chop Recipe (Sườn Nướng)

Jump to recipe

Vietnamese pork chop has a unique and delicious flavor thanks to the authentic marinade used. The key ingredients in the marinade like fish sauce, lemongrass, garlic, and black pepper give this recipe its distinctive Vietnamese taste. Grilling the pork chops over hot coals or a grill allows the meat to caramelize while the smoky aroma permeates the chops. This recipe is a quick and easy way to experience authentic Vietnamese flavors at home.

What Makes This Vietnamese Pork Chop Recipe Unique And Delicious?

This recipe stands out from other pork chop dishes because of the marinade. The marinade has several key ingredients that give it a distinctly Vietnamese flair:

• Fish sauce – The saltiness provides savoriness and depth of flavor
• Lemongrass – Bright, citrusy aroma
• Garlic – Pungent flavor mellows when grilled
• Black pepper – A touch of heat and spice

When the pork chops are grilled, these ingredients permeate the meat, resulting in complex, bold flavors in every bite. The charring from the grilling adds smoky undertones as well.

What Is Special About Vietnamese Pork Chop Recipe ?

There are several things that make these Vietnamese grilled pork chops unique:

• Authentic marinade: The ingredients like fish sauce, lemongrass, and garlic are commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine and provide distinctive, bold flavors.
• Quick and easy: The pork chops can be easily marinated in just 30 minutes before grilling, making this dish simple to whip up any night of the week.
• Caramelized exterior: Grilling the marinated pork chops results in a slightly charred, caramelized exterior that adds texture and smoky notes.
• Infused with flavor: The marinade fully infuses the pork with zesty, savory flavors that go all the way through the meat.
• Great with rice: These succulent pork chops pair perfectly with steamed rice, which soaks up the delicious juices.

What Are The Key Ingredients That Give This Recipe Its Authentic Taste?

The marinade is vital for giving these grilled pork chops bold Vietnamese flavor. The key ingredients in the marinade include:

• Fish sauce: Provides a salty, umami base note
• Lemongrass: Citrusy and bright aromatic flavor
• Garlic: Pungent, savory flavor that mellows when grilled
• Black pepper: A touch of heat and spice
• Soy sauce: Further enhances savory umami notes
• Brown sugar: Caramelization during grilling for balanced sweetness
• Lime juice: Bright, tangy acidity to cut through richness

When combined, these ingredients infuse the pork with complex layers of sweet, salty, and savory flavors for authentic Vietnamese taste in every bite.

Ingredients

To make delicious Vietnamese grilled pork chops at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Marinade

• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 stalk lemongrass, chopped
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Juice of 1 lime

For the Pork Chops

• 4 bone-in pork chops, 1-inch thick (about 2 lbs total)
• Vegetable oil for brushing
• Lime wedges for serving
• Fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish

Possible Substitutes

Finding some Vietnamese ingredients like lemongrass or fish sauce can be tricky depending on where you live. Here are some possible substitutions:

• Lemongrass – Lemon zest or lemon juice
• Fish sauce – Soy sauce or salt
• Lime – Vinegar or citrus juice

The flavor will be slightly different with substitutions, but the pork chops will still be delicious!

Ensuring You Have The Ingredients

To make sure you have all the ingredients before cooking:

• Review the recipe beforehand and make a list
• Check what you already have on hand
• Make note of ingredients you need to buy
• Purchase any missing ingredients from an Asian grocery store or online
• Gather everything together before starting to cook

Being prepared with all the ingredients will ensure you can make this recipe successfully.

How to Make Vietnamese Pork Chop Recipe?

Preparing the Pork Chops

Properly marinating the pork chops is vital for maximizing flavor. Follow these steps:

Marinating the Pork

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix thoroughly.
2. Place pork chops in a baking dish or resealable bag.
3. Pour marinade over the pork chops until well-coated.
4. Marinate for 30 minutes to an hour, flipping halfway through.

Scoring the Meat

• Use a sharp knife to make shallow slits across both sides of each pork chop.
• This allows the marinade to better penetrate the meat for maximum flavor.
• Don’t cut all the way through the pork. Just light surface cuts.

Purpose of Fish Sauce

• Fish sauce provides a savory umami base note.
• The saltiness permeates the pork as it marinates.
• It gives a rich, aromatic depth of flavor.
• An authentic taste of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Optimal Marinating Time

• At least 30 minutes of marinating time is needed to let the flavors fully infuse into the pork.
• For even more flavor depth, marinate up to 1 hour.
• Much longer than that and the acidity from the lime juice can start to break down the meat texture.
• 30 minutes – 1 hour is ideal marinating time for the perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Grilling the Pork Chops

Grilling is necessary for achieving succulent, flavorful Vietnamese grilled pork chops. Follow these tips:

Grilling Method

• Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Use a two-zone fire, with one side hotter for searing and one milder for indirect cooking.
• Avoid flames directly touching the pork to prevent burning.
• Grill for 4-5 minutes per side until done.
• Flipping frequently cooks evenly and prevents burning.

How to Tell When Pork Chops Are Cooked

• Use an instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature.
• Pork should register 145°F when done.
• Meat will become firmer and slightly dried out on edges when fully cooked.
• Cut into a chop to check it is just slightly pink but not red inside.

Recommended Grill Temperature

• Preheat gas grill to 400-450°F.
• Maintain hot side of grill at 450°F and cooler side around 350°F.
• For charcoal, spread coals evenly and let flames die down before grilling.
• Use thermometer grates to monitor temps.

Preventing Dryness

• Avoid overcooking by monitoring temperature closely.
• Brush with oil before grilling to keep moist.
• Flipping frequently helps prevent burning or drying out.
• Let rest 5 minutes before slicing for juices to redistribute.
• Time marinade application so some sticks to chops during grilling.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some delicious ways to serve your freshly grilled Vietnamese pork chops:

• With steamed jasmine rice and a tangy dipping sauce
• In a lettuce wrap with cucumber and fresh herbs
• Alongside vermicelli noodles dressed with nuoc cham
• In a grilled pork banh mi sandwich
• On top of a crunchy green papaya salad
• With coconut curry vegetables on the side
• With pickled carrot and daikon and cilantro
• Alongside steamed bao buns or spring rolls

Pairing the juicy pork chops with classic Vietnamese sides makes for a flavorful and fun meal. Add some pickled veggies, herbs, noodles or rice to fully round out the dish.

Quick Dipping Sauce

Mix together:

• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 Thai chili sliced (optional)

This quick sauce complements the rich pork with bright, tangy flavors. Adjust to taste and enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

Follow these tips to make perfect Vietnamese grilled pork chops every time:

For Beginners

• Use an instant-read thermometer to eliminate guesswork on doneness.
• Opt for bone-in chops, which are harder to overcook.
• Mix together marinade ingredients in a resealable bag for easy coating.
• Set up a two-zone fire on the grill to have cool and hot areas.

Crispy Exterior

• Pat pork dry before grilling to help browning.
• Use a grill basket to get grill marks on both sides.
• brush lightly with oil right before grilling.
• Wait until flames die down before starting to cook.

Indoor Option

• Use a grill pan or cast iron skillet on the stovetop.
• Cook in batches if needed to mimic grilling.
• Add a touch of liquid smoke to marinade for flavor.
• Broil for a few minutes to char tops before flipping.

Customizing the Recipe

• Use lemongrass stems as skewers for kebabs.
• Double the marinade ingredients for more intense flavor.
• Sub in ingredients like sriracha, five spice, or sesame oil.
• Marinate thicker pork shoulder steaks for pulled pork.

Conclusion: Vietnamese Pork Chop Recipe

With an easy 30 minute marinade and quick grilling time, these Vietnamese grilled pork chops are a weeknight-friendly recipe that packs huge flavor punch. The marinade made with ingredients like fish sauce, lemongrass, and lime juice infuses the pork with signature Vietnamese taste. Grilling imparts delicious charred, smoky notes while keeping the chops juicy inside. Served over rice with pickled veggies and dipping sauce, or tucked in a banh mi sandwich, you can’t go wrong with this flavorful and fun Vietnamese take on a backyard grilling classic.