Vietnamese Grilled Pork Noodle Bowls

Juicy caramelized pork, cool rice noodles, and a crunchy cucumber-herb salad deliver bold Vietnamese-inspired flavor in every refreshing bite.

Ingredients

  • Kroger® Fresh Natural Pork Tenderloin
    1 pound $2.99
  • Butterfly Brand Pad Thai Noodle
    6 ounces $3.59
  • Cucumber
    1 large $0.89
  • Green Onions
    3 $1.19
  • Organic Cilantro
    1/2 cup chopped $1.69
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.79
  • Fresh Peeled Ginger
    1 tablespoon grated $3.99
  • Fish sauce
    3 tablespoons
  • Fresh Organic Limes
    3 tablespoons juice, about 2 limes $1.29
  • Light brown sugar
    2 tablespoons
  • Rice vinegar
    1 tablespoon
  • Neutral cooking oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Kosher salt
    2 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/4 teaspoon
  • Water
    2 quarts plus 2 tablespoons

Instructions

  1. Whisk 2 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon grated ginger, 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Coat 1 pound pork tenderloin with the marinade and refrigerate for 15 minutes while heating a grill to medium-high.
  2. Whisk 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to make 7 tablespoons dressing.
  3. Thinly slice 1 large cucumber and 3 green onions. Toss 1 large sliced cucumber, 3 sliced green onions, and 1/2 cup chopped organic cilantro with 3 1/2 tablespoons dressing; chill until serving.
  4. Bring 2 quarts water and 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt to a boil. Cook 6 ounces Pad Thai noodles until tender, about 4–5 minutes; drain, rinse thoroughly under cold water, and drain again.
  5. Remove the 1 pound pork tenderloin from its marinade and discard the marinade. Grill the 1 pound pork tenderloin for 10–14 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until its thickest part reaches 145°F; rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
  6. Divide all 6 ounces cooked noodles between two shallow bowls, then top with the full cucumber salad and the sliced 1 pound pork tenderloin. Spoon the final 3 1/2 tablespoons dressing over both bowls and serve immediately.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $12–$15 total

Health notes: About 650 calories per serving, with roughly 48 grams protein, 72 grams carbohydrates, and 18 grams fat; fish sauce and salted noodle water make it moderately high in sodium.

Drink pairing: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc complements the bright lime, fresh herbs, and savory fish sauce.