Vietnamese Thịt Heo Nướng (Grilled Pork Neck with Lemongrass)

Pork · Pork neck

Pork neck is the preferred cut for Vietnamese grilled pork — the high fat content prevents drying on the grill while absorbing the lemongrass and fish sauce marinade beautifully.

Serves 4 peoplePrep 20 minCook 15 min

Ingredients & method

Ingredients

  • 800 g pork neck, sliced 1 cm thick
  • 3 stalks lemongrass, white part only, finely minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp five-spice powder
  • Vermicelli rice noodles, cucumber, fresh herbs, nuoc cham to serve

Method

  1. 1Combine lemongrass, garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, honey, oil, and five-spice. Coat pork slices thoroughly. Marinate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  2. 2Heat a charcoal grill or cast-iron griddle to very high heat. The high fat content means this cut benefits from intense heat.
  3. 3Grill pork slices 3–4 minutes per side until well caramelised with charred edges — the honey and sugar will help create colour quickly.
  4. 4Rest 2 minutes. Serve over vermicelli noodles with sliced cucumber, bean sprouts, fresh herbs, and nuoc cham on the side.

Useful gear for this recipe

$$$ · picanha, steaks, skewers, and general charcoal grilling

Weber Original Kettle Premium 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

High-heat grilling, simple indirect cooks, steak, picanha, and burgers.

$ · turning steaks, chops, ribs, and vegetables

OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Locking Tongs

Moving food on a hot grill while keeping hands farther from the heat.

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Chef's tip
Pork neck is sold in Vietnamese butchers as a thicker cut — slice it yourself with a sharp knife or ask the butcher to slice it for grilling.

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