Name: Lemongrass Beef Skewers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 pounds flank steak; 1 cup finely chopped cilantro stems and leaves (about 1 large bunch); 1/2 cup beer (use a beer you would be interested in drinking – I use Modelo); 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons oyster sauce; 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce; 1 tablespoon finely chopped lemongrass; 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; Neutral flavored oil (such as grapeseed or canola), for grilling; Thinly sliced scallions, for garnish

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins *

These skewers of tender lemongrass beef get a punch of flavor from lemongrass, cilantro, fish sauce, and oyster sauce, and need only 15 minutes to marinate.

* Plus marinating time.

Overhead view of several grilled beef skewers on a metal serving dish.

Spring is around the corner and it’s time to fire up the grill. But, honestly, these lemongrass beef skewers are so good you won’t really care what season it is. Besides these skewers cook really quickly on a hot grill so you won’t be on cooking duty for long.

Ingredients for making grilled skewers on a wooden board.

The marinade is key

This marinade has some of my favorite Vietnamese ingredients like cilantro, lemongrass, oyster sauce, and fish sauce. They all come together to create a really flavorful marinade that gives the beef great flavor in a short amount of time. If you love that Vietnamese flavor balance of salty, sweet, and savory, this will become your new favorite marinade.

The marinade also works great with chicken. I tried this recipe with some boneless, skinless chicken thighs, marinating them for about an hour since I didn’t cut up the chicken or put them on skewers. They grilled up beautifully with a nice caramelized exterior.

Slices of flank steak marinating in a marinade of lemongrass, cilantro, and fish sauce.

The cut of beef is also key

The original recipe called for using skirt steak but I found I liked this recipe better with flank steak. The beef is more tender and easier to slice and skewer.

It’s also important to cut the beef against the grain to ensure every slice is tender. If you’re not sure how to cut the meat against the grain, this article from Better Homes & Garden is very helpful.

Skewers of grilled beef on a metal serving dish served next to glasses of beer.

What to serve with lemongrass beef skewers

Serve these skewers with some grilled vegetables for an easy dinner. If you have more time and love a good Vietnamese noodle bowl, these skewers would be delicious served with some vermicelli noodles, lots of fresh herbs, and a generous pour of Vietnamese dipping sauce. Check out my recipes for Vietnamese Grilled Chicken with Rice Vermicelli Noodles or Vietnamese Lemongrass Beef Vermicelli Bowls for instructions on how to cook the noodles and make the sauce.