Lemongrass Pork Chop Recipe

Lemongrass Pork Chops are savory, aromatic, and irresistibly juicy. Marinated overnight in fragrant lemongrass, garlic, and fish sauce, then seared to golden perfection, these chops deliver bold Southeast Asian flavor in every bite. Served with a tangy dipping sauce and scallion oil, they’re perfect for rice plates or noodle bowls.

Lemongrass Pork Chop Recipe

Serving: 6 pork chops
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rest time: Overnight
Cook time: 15 minutes

For the pork loin and marinade:
6 boneless pork loin chops (about 1/3 inch thick, 2 pounds)
2 stalks lemongrass, white part only, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 shallot, minced
6 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil, separated

For the dipping sauce:
3 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 bird’s eye chili, chopped
1 tablespoon carrot, julienned

For the scallion oil:
2 stalks scallions, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons extra light olive oil

Lemongrass Pork Chop Instructions

1. Prepare the pork chops:

• Score the fat on each pork chop to prevent curling while cooking.
• Use the back of a knife to gently pound and tenderize the pork chops.

2. Marinate the pork:

• In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, dark soy sauce, honey, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, lemongrass, and shallot.
• Transfer pork chops and marinade into a large Ziploc bag. Massage to coat evenly.
• Refrigerate and marinate overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Make the dipping sauce:

• In a bowl, whisk together fish sauce, sugar, water, lime juice, rice vinegar, garlic, chili, and carrot.
• Set aside for serving.

4. Make the scallion oil:

• In a small pan over medium heat, add oil and scallions.
• Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.

5. Cook the pork chops:

• In a large pan over high heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil.
• Sear the pork chops for 30 seconds per side until golden brown.
• Lower to medium heat and cook for 3 more minutes on each side until fully cooked through.

6. Serve:

• Let the pork chops rest for a few minutes before serving.
• Top with scallion oil and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.

Tips & notes

• Marinate overnight: This step is key for infusing deep flavor into the pork—don’t skip it.
• Lemongrass prep: Use only the white part and mince it very finely for the best texture and aroma.
• For extra char: Use a cast iron pan or grill pan for a slightly smoky, caramelized finish.
• Serve with rice or noodles: These pork chops pair beautifully with jasmine rice, vermicelli noodles, or even banh mi sandwiches.