Vietnamese Pork Marinade is a beautiful balance of bold and fresh flavors, where aromatic ingredients like lemongrass and garlic meet the depth of fish sauce and gentle sweetness. The result is a marinade that feels vibrant and full of character, coating the meat in layers of flavor that develop even more as it rests. It is a simple yet deeply satisfying way to bring a touch of Southeast Asian-inspired cooking into your kitchen.

Best Homemade Vietnamese Pork Marinade Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

3/4

cup

Prep time

minutes

Total time

minutes

A fragrant Vietnamese-style pork marinade with lemongrass, garlic, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Ideal for creating tender, flavorful pork with deep, aromatic character.

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Ingredients

2 stalks Lemongrass (finely minced white part only)
6 cloves Garlic (Minced)
1 tbsp Fresh Ginger (grated)
2 tbsp Shallots (minced)
2 tbsp Fish Sauce
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
2 tbsp Sunflower Oil
1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
½ tsp Five Spice Powder
1½ tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tsp Red Chili Flakes (optional)

Directions

Add all the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Mix well until the sugar starts to dissolve and the marinade becomes slightly thick and glossy.
Any unused marinade can be refrigerated in an airtight container for several days.

Notes

Add 500g pork (thin slices, pork belly, shoulder, or chops) and coat thoroughly. Massage the marinade into the meat to ensure even coverage. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight for maximum flavor.
For adjustments, you can increase honey or brown sugar for a sweeter finish, add more chili flakes for extra heat, or a splash of lime juice for added brightness.