Vietnamese-Style Lemongrass Marinade (for Chicken, Beef, and More!) Recipe
A vibrant and aromatic Vietnamese-style lemongrass marinade perfect for chicken, beef, or vegetables. This quick and easy marinade infuses your protein or veggies with a balanced blend of lemongrass, garlic, shallots, and savory seasonings, ideal for grilling or pan cooking to achieve a flavorful meal in minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Marinade
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Vietnamese
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 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
- Juice of 1 large lime
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Main Ingredient
- 2 pounds meat or veggies of choice (chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl or jar, combine the bruised and chopped lemongrass, finely chopped shallot, grated garlic, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, lime juice, and a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper. Whisk or shake well until the sugar has dissolved and all ingredients are evenly mixed.
- Marinate the Protein or Vegetables: Pour the prepared marinade over your choice of meat or vegetables. Ensure the pieces are evenly coated. Cover the bowl or seal the jar and refrigerate. For best results, marinate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours; for deeper flavor, marinate up to 5 hours but not longer to prevent texture breakdown.
- Cook by Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the marinated items from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature for a few minutes. Grill the meat or vegetables until cooked through and nicely charred, approximately 4-6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Adjust cooking times for vegetables accordingly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the grill once cooked to your liking. Let the grilled items rest briefly before serving to retain juices. Serve as desired with rice or fresh greens for a delicious Vietnamese-inspired meal.
Notes
- Marinate meat or vegetables for a minimum of 30 minutes, ideally 1-2 hours for best flavor infusion.
- Do not marinate for more than 5 hours to avoid mushy texture, especially for delicate proteins.
- If using tofu or vegetables, cut into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste, especially if substituting soy sauce with low sodium versions.
- This marinade works exceptionally well for grilling but can also be used for pan-frying or baking.
