Description
These Thai meatballs are bursting with flavors of ginger, cilantro, and fish sauce, served with a tangy sweet chili dipping sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, these meatballs are a crowd-pleaser with a hint of spice.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Meatball Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork or chicken
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for frying)
For the dipping sauce:
- 3 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Main Meatball Preparation: In a large bowl, mix together the ground meat, breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, cilantro, red pepper flakes, and beaten egg until fully combined.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch meatballs (about 20–24).
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs in batches and cook for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Dipping Sauce: Whisk together sweet chili sauce, lime juice, fish sauce, and cilantro in a small bowl.
- Serve the meatballs warm with the dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- These meatballs can also be baked at 400°F for 15–18 minutes or air-fried at 375°F for 12 minutes.
- Serve over jasmine rice or in lettuce cups for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5–6 meatballs
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
