Description
A vibrant and flavorful Vietnamese-style lemongrass marinade perfect for infusing meats or vegetables with a bright, zesty, and umami-rich taste. This simple marinade combines fresh lemongrass, aromatic shallots and garlic, balanced with the sweetness of brown sugar and tang of lime, enhanced by savory fish sauce and soy sauce. Perfect for grilling or pan-searing, the marinade adds complexity and depth to your favorite protein or veggies in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Marinade
- 2 stalks lemongrass, white part only, bruised and roughly chopped
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large, juicy lime, juiced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
For the Main
- 2 pounds meat or veggies of choice
Instructions
- Mix the Vietnamese Lemongrass Marinade: In a medium bowl or jar, combine lemongrass, shallot, garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Whisk thoroughly or shake well to blend all the flavors evenly. This ensures a balanced and aromatic marinade base.
- Marinate the Meat or Vegetables: Pour the prepared marinade over your selected meat or vegetables, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the bowl or seal the container, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 3-4 hours or overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the food.
- Grill the Marinated Food: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the marinated items from the fridge and place them on the grill. Cook until the meat is fully cooked or veggies are tender and slightly charred, typically 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness and type. Adjust cooking time as needed based on your grill and ingredient.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, remove from the grill and let rest briefly. Serve the flavorful grilled meat or vegetables hot with your favorite sides, garnishing if desired.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate meat or vegetables for at least 1 hour, but ideally 3-4 hours or overnight.
- You can substitute fish sauce with soy sauce for a vegetarian version, but the signature umami flavor will be milder.
- Use fresh lemongrass and ensure only the white part is used for the best fragrance without bitterness.
- This marinade also works well for pan-searing or broiling if a grill is not available.
- Store leftover marinade in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: Marinade
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
