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Home Quick and Easy

Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls

By:Nagi
Published:22 Sep '19Updated:30 Nov '20
749 Comments
Recipe v Video v Dozer v

Meet your new favourite pork mince recipe – Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls! A super fast pork stir fry made with ground pork infused with flavours from the streets of Vietnam.

With just a handful of ingredients you probably already have, it’s sweet, salty, beautifully caramelised and absolutely irresistible. It’s the quick and easy version of Vietnamese Caramel Pork, a famous Vietnamese food speciality!

Close up of pork mince stir fry - Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls

Vietnamese stir fry – Pork Mince recipe

Ground pork – which we call “mince” here in Australia – is extremely good value.

It’s also just about the least sexy protein I know. Don’t you think? A dry aged piece of New York strip is sexy. Quail is gourmet. Oysters are….well, we’ve all heard that oysters are an aphrodisiac, right? 😉

Mince is…well, it just isn’t fancy. And yet, it makes it into my shopping trolley every single week because it’s such good value and so versatile. Sure, there are the usual suspects you can make with mince. Bolognese, meatballs, burgers, Meatloaf, Shepherds Pie – to name a few of the more common ones.

But sometimes, it’s nice to do something a little different. Like this Vietnamese pork stir fry.

The crazy thing about this pork mince recipe is that the ingredients list is so short. Chili, garlic, ginger, sugar and fish sauce. That’s it. Seriously!

Can I make this pork stir fry with chicken or beef mince?

Yes! This is fabulous made with chicken, beef and turkey!

Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls - garlic, ginger, chili, fish sauce and sugar is all you need to make these irresistible bowls packed with flavour!

Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls - close up of pork mince recipe, stir fry

“This is a terrific ground pork recipe that tastes and sounds so exotic…. yet it’s so easy!”

The secret to this ground pork  is the caramelisation. It is rare to see recipes made with ground meat that are cooked this way so the meat is caramelised.

But those golden brown bits you see – they are the crowning glory in this recipe that takes it from a rather unappetising pale brown-grey colour to a golden brown pile of deliciousness that you will want to eat with a spoon straight out of the skillet. (Go on – you deserve it – cook’s privileges!)

What you need

Short list – see? I didn’t exaggerate!!

Lemongrass is optional – it’s not a pantry staple and also it’s not an ingredient in traditional Vietnamese Caramel Pork. But lemongrass flavour is certainly at home in this dish!

Ingredients in Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls - pork mince recipe, stir fry

How to make this Vietnamese pork mince stir fry

This pork mince stir fry comes together as quickly as any stir fry. Once you start cooking, you’ll be done in 6 minutes flat.

How to make Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls (pork mince recipe)

Authentic Vietnamese roots

I am not 1000% sure that this is strictly authentic Vietnamese but the combination of ingredients I use most certainly are and it is my replica of dishes I have tried at Vietnamese restaurants here in Australia. It is an adaptation of the marinade I use in my Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Bowl and essentially the quick version of Vietnamese Caramel Pork, a famous Vietnamese food speciality.

Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls served over rice in a rustic bowl - ground pork recipe / pork mince recipe

How to serve it

Serve this pork stir fry over rice and eat it with a spoon! This pork mince recipe doesn’t have a sauce, but  you don’t need it because the flavour is intensified and the pork mince mixes all through the rice which flavour it.

To complete your meal, try these:

  • A fresh side salad like this Asian Slaw;
  • Add a side of cucumber and tomato wedges, pictured (very classic South East Asian way to add vegetables to a meal); or
  • Shredded lettuce, cucumber and carrots which makes it more like the classic Vietnamese Noodle Bowls.
  • Make my Vietnamese Chicken Salad but without the chicken for a fresh, slaw-like salad side.

Hope you enjoy! – Nagi x

PS For a healthy low carb option try Cauliflower Rice – 77% fewer calories and 87% less carbs than rice.


Watch how to make it

Get your Vietnamese fix!

  • Bun Cha – Vietnamese Meatballs (Noodle Bowl)
  • Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls
  • Vietnamese Caramel Pork – and the Chicken version!
  • Lemongrass Chicken – one of my favourite things to grill!
  • Vietnamese Noodle Salad
  • Browse all Vietnamese recipes

More quick pork mince recipes

  • Pork Stir Fry with Green Beans
  • Bun Cha – Vietnamese Meatballs (Noodle Bowl)
  • San Choy Bow (Chinese Lettuce Cups)
  • Chinese Pork Mince with Noodles
  • Egg Foo Young (Chinese Omelette with Pork)

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Close up of pork mince stir fry - Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls

Vietnamese Caramelised Pork Bowls

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 20 mins
Stir Fry
Vietnamese
4.93 from 276 votes
Servings4
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Recipe video above. An exciting way to use ground meat (mince) to make a quick stir fry that taste unbelievable! This is great made with chicken, turkey or pork. It also works with beef though it is better made with "white meats". Serve it over rice or vermicelli noodles to make rice bowls with shredded lettuce, carrots and cucumbers on the side (very classic Vietnamese meal!).

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbsp cooking oil (I use peanut oil)
  • 1/2 onion , finely diced (brown, white or yellow) (~1/2 cup)
  • 2 tsp ginger , grated or minced
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced (2 tsp paste)
  • 1 birds eye or Thai chili , deseeded and finely chopped (Note 1)
  • 1 lb / 500g ground pork (mince) (Note 2)
  • 5 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce

Serving:

  • 1 green onion stem , finely sliced
  • Rice
  • Sliced red chilli, tomato, cucumber (optional)

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat.
  • Add the onion, ginger, garlic and chili and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Add the pork mince and cook for 2 minutes or so until white all over, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the sugar and fish sauce. Stir, then leave it to cook without touching until all the juices cook out and the pork starts caramelised - about 2 minutes. Then stir it and leave it again, without stirring, for around 30 seconds to get more caramelisation. Repeat twice more until caramelised to your taste.
  • Serve over rice or vermicelli noodles, garnished with sliced scallions/shallots. For a low carb, low cal option, try Cauliflower Rice! I like to have chunks of plain cucumber and carrots on the side which is a classic way of making Vietnamese bowls.

Recipe Notes:

1. Birds eye chilis are small red chilis that are usually around 3 to 4cm (1.5 - 2") long. They are very spicy! You can substitute with any chili you want, or even exclude it if you are making this for kids. Just adjust to your taste.
This dish is great to serve with sriracha on the side so people can add the amount of heat they want.
2. Other meat - recipe works great with chicken and turkey too. Beef will also work well.
3. Lemongrass is a lovely and very traditional Vietnamese herb used in dishes like this. 1 stalk, white part only, very VERY finely chopped. Add it into the skillet with the garlic. 
If you have lemongrass paste (see ingredient photo in post), add it with the brown sugar.
4. Nutrition is for the pork stir fry only, excludes the rice and assumes you use a lean pork (10% fat).

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 153gCalories: 341cal (17%)Carbohydrates: 17g (6%)Protein: 22g (44%)Fat: 13g (20%)Saturated Fat: 3g (19%)Cholesterol: 110mg (37%)Sodium: 782mg (34%)Potassium: 425mg (12%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 16g (18%)Vitamin A: 30IU (1%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 40mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Keywords: Ground pork recipe, ground pork stir fry, Pork mince recipe, pork mince stir fry
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

Originally published November 2015. Updated September 2019 with new writing, some new photos, brand new video and most importantly, new Life of Dozer section added!

Life of Dozer

Dozer on the wrong side of the counter at the pet shop!!!

(PS yes you spy cat treats, buying a present for a friend!)

Dozer Pet O wrong side of counter buying present

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749 Comments

  1. Nick Walker says

    February 21, 2021 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    I added a 3 x sliced button mushrooms and a cup of beansprouts 30 secs before end of cooking…… worked for me….

    Reply
  2. sharon root says

    February 18, 2021 at 10:51 am

    this looks good

    Reply
  3. Jen Atherton says

    February 16, 2021 at 3:31 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love this and so does my family. We have it at least once a week. I like it with the tomato and cucumber for added crunch and squeeze lime over. Yum 😋

    Reply
  4. Amy says

    February 15, 2021 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    This was excellent!

    Reply
  5. Ab says

    February 11, 2021 at 4:13 am

    Vietnamese caramelised MINCED pork! Shows lovely picture of ingredients, but no mention of how much of each ingredient is needed, or how many servings that would be for??

    Reply
    • Fifi says

      February 12, 2021 at 6:45 am

      It says serves 4 and the measurements are all there. I’ve copied and pasted below:
      1/2 tbsp cooking oil (I use peanut oil)
      ▢ 1/2 onion , finely diced (brown, white or yellow) (~1/2 cup)
      ▢ 2 tsp ginger , grated or minced
      ▢ 2 garlic cloves , minced (2 tsp paste)
      ▢ 1 birds eye or Thai chili , deseeded and finely chopped (Note 1)
      ▢ 1 lb / 500g ground pork (mince) (Note 2)
      ▢ 5 tbsp brown sugar
      ▢ 2 tbsp fish sauce

      Reply
    • Bonnie Meinders says

      February 23, 2021 at 9:33 am

      It says servings 4

      Reply
  6. Jules says

    February 10, 2021 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    This recipe hits the spot! SO EASY and a total crowd pleaser. My family was floored that I could make this at home and now ask for it every week! I’ve tried several of your recipes and they’re all super flavorful. ROCK ON, NAGI!

    Reply
  7. bec says

    February 9, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    5 stars
    this is now on regular rotation in our house, so easy, so light, so delicious!! thanks nagi!

    Reply
  8. Zoe says

    February 9, 2021 at 12:14 am

    I don’t have brown sugar! Would caster do the job?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 9, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Hi Zoe, try caster sugar with a teaspoon of molasses in its place 🙂 N x

      Reply
  9. Nicole Carroll says

    February 7, 2021 at 3:53 am

    5 stars
    Incredibly easy and tastes great! Satisfies the Vietnamese food craving for sure. Used 1/4 tsp of cayenne instead of thai chilis and it wasn’t too spicy for my partner who does not like spice. Definitely will add it to the meal rotation.

    Reply
  10. Kelli says

    February 5, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing!!! Didn’t have fish sauce so subbed with equal parts tamari and rice vinegar. Worked great!! Served with rice and cucumbers tossed in rice vinegar, chili oil, and olive oil. Such a great meal!

    Reply
  11. Mary says

    February 5, 2021 at 10:31 am

    Making tonight…FYI lemongrass is missing from the ingredient list.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 5, 2021 at 1:26 pm

      Hi Mary, it’s not missing, it’s just an optional extra as noted in the post 🙂 N x

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        February 9, 2021 at 6:05 pm

        Hi there – it doesn’t state how much lemongrass tho, unless I’m blind. Which I am, I wear glasses. I used paste and guessed!

        Reply
  12. Hannah G says

    February 4, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    I was worried about 5 Tbls of sugar and did find it very, very sweet even after adding extra fish sauce. I will try again with half the sugar.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 4, 2021 at 7:04 pm

      Hi Hannah, that’s because it is Vietnamese Caramelised pork – you can’t get the caramel without the sugar 🙂 N x

      Reply
      • Helen says

        February 18, 2021 at 4:59 pm

        Dear Nagi, my pork did not caramelise, although I fried it for a long time, I just ended up with very sweet pork. Where did I go wrong?

        Reply
  13. Kathleen says

    February 4, 2021 at 5:33 am

    5 stars
    We love this recipe!! What do you think of putting over ramen?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 4, 2021 at 7:39 pm

      I think it would be amazing over ANYTHING! N x

      Reply
  14. Delia Vel says

    February 3, 2021 at 10:22 am

    5 stars
    Such flavor. The smell/aroma brought everyone into the kitchen to see what was for dinner. You seem to just have the right consistency of ingredients to fulfill the tastebuds. Thank you

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      February 3, 2021 at 11:02 am

      That’s great to hear Delia, thanks so much!! N x

      Reply
    • Sharon Landis says

      February 15, 2021 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      We made it the other night, was awesome!!!! We made a double batch which turned out great. However, wish it would have stated to drain grease from pork. It wasn’t a lot but with the fish sauce it was too much liquid. Once I draines it, went so much better! Will definitely make it again!!!!

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

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