Name: Thit Heo Nuong Xa - Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 85 min
Ingredients: 1½ tsp White pepper (or black); 1 pinch Kosher salt; 1 large Shallot, roughly chopped; 4 cloves Garlic, crushed; 3 stalk Lemongrass, bottom 6-inches, outer leaves discarded, sliced vertically and then into 1-inch pieces; 3 oz Palm sugar, cut and crushed with a heavy pan (dark brown sugar OK); ¼ cup Asian fish sauce; 2 tbsp Vegetable oil; 1½ lb Thin-cut pork chops, with or without bones.; 1 RECIPE Nuoc Cham with shredded carrots; 1 large Cucumber, sliced

Vietnamese cooks really know the secret to excellent caramelized grilled and broiled meats. The combination of delicate lemongrass with salty fish sauce, garlic, and palm sugar is irresistible. I can see why this dish is so beloved in Vietnam.

Thit Heo Nuong Xa – Grilled Lemongrass Pork Chops

This dish takes no time at all. It is usually served with white rice or noodles, a fried egg, and the ever-present vegetable platter and nuoc cham dipping sauce.

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Brunch, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Southeast Asian, Vietnam

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Marinate: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings:

Author: My Hungry Traveler

Equipment

Food processor or mortar and pestle
Plastic freezer bag

Ingredients

1½ tsp White pepper (or black)
1 pinch Kosher salt
1 large Shallot, roughly chopped
4 cloves Garlic, crushed
3 stalk Lemongrass, bottom 6-inches, outer leaves discarded, sliced vertically and then into 1-inch pieces
3 oz Palm sugar, cut and crushed with a heavy pan (dark brown sugar OK)
¼ cup Asian fish sauce
2 tbsp Vegetable oil
1½ lb Thin-cut pork chops, with or without bones.
1 RECIPE Nuoc Cham with shredded carrots
1 large Cucumber, sliced

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Prepare Marinade – Add salt, lemongrass, palm sugar, garlic, shallot, and pepper to a food processor and process into a rough paste. Add fish sauce and oil. Pulse a few times to mix.
Marinate Pork – Put pork chops in a Ziploc bag and pour marinade into the bag. Squeeze out air, seal, and massage marinade into the meat. Set on counter to marinate anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Pork may be marinated for up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
Grill – Heat ½ of a grill to very hot with the cover closed for 10 minutes. Grill pork chops over high heat, 5 to 6 minutes total. If any seem to be too charred, move to cool side of the grill. Serve with white rice, sliced cucumber and nuoc cham.