The Ultimate Banh Mi Meatballs Recipe: Zesty Vietnamese Fusion

Banh mi meatballs burst with vibrant Vietnamese-inspired flavors that dance across your palate.

These savory spheres combine traditional culinary techniques with modern fusion approaches.

Fragrant herbs and zesty spices elevate an ordinary protein into an extraordinary dish.

Culinary innovation meets comfort food in these perfectly seasoned morsels that promise a delightful taste adventure.

Each meatball carries complex layers of aromatic ingredients that challenge conventional recipe expectations.

Fresh elements blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious balance between familiar and adventurous culinary profiles.

You’ll find these meatballs elevate your home cooking with their irresistible combination of textures and bold seasonings.

What Makes Banh Mi Meatballs So Good

• Savor Bold Asian Fusion Flavors: These meatballs combine classic Vietnamese banh mi sandwich ingredients with a protein-packed twist, delivering a mouthwatering explosion of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes in every single bite.
• Master Quick and Easy Cooking Technique: Using a cast iron skillet allows perfect browning and even cooking, while the simple sauce coating method ensures maximum flavor absorption with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Flexible toppings like fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, and optional heat from jalapeños let you personalize the dish to match your taste preferences, making each serving a unique dining experience.
• Achieve Restaurant-Quality Meal in Minutes: From skillet to table in under 20 minutes, this recipe provides a gourmet-style meal that looks impressive but requires minimal preparation and cooking expertise.

Ingredients for Crafting Banh Mi Meatballs

• Ground Pork, Ground Beef: Juicy protein base with a rich, meaty flavor that forms the core of the meatballs.
• Egg: Helps bind the meatball ingredients together for a cohesive texture.

• Garlic, Ginger: Provide vibrant, zesty flavors that are characteristic of Vietnamese cuisine.
• Green Onions: Add fresh, mild onion notes and a pop of color to the meatballs.
• Fish Sauce: Adds deep umami and authentic Southeast Asian seasoning.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the overall flavor profile.

• Sweet Chili Sauce: Offers a sweet and slightly spicy coating for the meatballs.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Contributes a glossy, savory-sweet glaze.
• Shredded Carrots: Provide a fresh, crunchy texture and slight sweetness.
• Cilantro, Fresh Mint: Bright, herbaceous garnishes that add freshness.
• Jalapeño Slices: Offer optional heat and zesty flavor.
• Pickled Red Onions: Add tangy, acidic contrast to the rich meatballs.
• Lime Wedges: Provide a citrusy brightness to cut through the richness.

Banh Mi Meatball Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cast Iron Skillet

Heat a 12″ cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Step 2: Cook the Meatballs

Add meatballs to the skillet and cook for 3-5 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure even browning.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Blend

• Sweet chili sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Fish sauce

Pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs, gently tossing to coat evenly.

Step 4: Simmer and Cook

Cover the skillet and let meatballs cook for 10 minutes.

Ensure meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Stir occasionally during cooking.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

If desired, uncover the skillet and increase heat to medium-high.

Cook until the sauce reduces and thickens.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

• Shredded carrots
• Fresh cilantro
• Jalapeño slices

• Fresh mint leaves
• Pickled red onions
• Lime wedges for squeezing

Key Tips for Better Banh Mi Meatballs

• Choose Ground Meat Wisely: Blend ground pork and beef for a richer, more complex flavor profile that mimics traditional Vietnamese meatball texture.
• Nail the Sauce Balance: Taste and adjust the sweet chili, teriyaki, and fish sauce mixture to create a perfect harmony of sweet, salty, and tangy notes.
• Master Even Cooking: Rotate meatballs gently while cooking to ensure consistent browning and prevent sticking to the cast iron skillet.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Watch the sauce closely when uncovering and increasing heat to thicken – it can burn quickly if not monitored.
• Elevate Toppings Strategically: Layer fresh herbs and pickled vegetables to add bright, crunchy contrasts that complement the rich, savory meatballs.

Saving and Warming Up Banh Mi Meatballs Later

• Store Leftovers
• Refrigerate meatballs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and safety.
• Reheating Methods
• Oven: Preheat to 350°F. Place meatballs in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 10-15 minutes. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Microwave: Transfer meatballs to a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed. Stir between intervals to ensure even heating.
• Skillet: Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon of water or extra sauce to maintain moisture. Stir gently to prevent breaking apart.

Flavors That Match Banh Mi Meatballs

• Pair with Crisp Vietnamese Beer: Grab a cold Saigon or 333 beer to complement the bold, spicy flavors of the Banh Mi Meatballs. The light, refreshing brew cuts through the rich sauce and cleanses your palate between bites.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice Bed: Create a perfect base by spreading fluffy jasmine rice underneath the meatballs. The fragrant rice absorbs the delicious sauce and provides a subtle background that enhances the overall taste experience.
• Add Bright Zesty Slaw: Whip up a quick Vietnamese-style slaw with shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy lime dressing. This crunchy side dish adds freshness and balances the rich, savory meatballs with its vibrant acidity.
• Finish with Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Cool down the spice and complement the meal's flavors with a sweet and strong Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da). The rich, sweet condensed milk and robust coffee create a perfect ending to your Banh Mi Meatballs feast.

Banh Mi Meatball Recipe Twists

• Vietnamese-Inspired Pork Fusion: Replace beef or chicken meatballs with ground pork, adding lemongrass and ginger for an authentic Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Spicy Sriracha Kick: Incorporate sriracha sauce into the meat mixture and glaze for extra heat, garnishing with extra sliced chili peppers for bold spice lovers.
• Light Lettuce Wrap Option: Skip traditional bread and serve meatballs inside crisp butter lettuce leaves, maintaining the fresh herbs and tangy sauce for a low-carb alternative.
• Vegetarian Banh Mi Balls: Create plant-based meatballs using crumbled tofu, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs, keeping the signature Vietnamese seasonings and bright herb toppings.

Banh Mi Meatballs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Vietnamese street-style banh mi meatballs deliver a symphony of bold flavors from traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Tender pork blends with aromatic herbs and spices, creating a delectable dish you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 24 ounces (680 grams) mini or regular size pork meatballs (frozen)

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) sweet chili sauce (purchased or homemade)
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fish sauce

Garnishes and Fresh Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded carrot
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) chopped cilantro
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) thinly sliced jalapeño
• 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) chopped mint (optional)
• Pickled red onions (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat a 12-inch (30.5 centimeters) cast iron skillet over medium heat, ensuring an even cooking surface for the meatballs.
2. Carefully place the meatballs into the skillet, rotating them gently every minute to achieve uniform browning and prevent sticking, cooking for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Combine sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, and fish sauce in a small mixing bowl, whisking until the ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
4. Pour the prepared sauce mixture directly over the meatballs in the skillet, using tongs to gently toss and coat each meatball evenly with the flavorful glaze.
5. Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, allowing the meatballs to simmer and absorb the sauce, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
6. Continue cooking for 10 minutes or until the meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), ensuring complete and thorough heating.
7. Optional: Uncover the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken, creating a more concentrated and glossy coating.
8. Remove the skillet from heat and garnish the meatballs with freshly shredded carrots, chopped cilantro, and thinly sliced jalapeño peppers.
9. Enhance the dish with optional fresh mint leaves and serve alongside pickled red onions and lime wedges for an extra burst of tangy brightness.

Notes

• Master the art of searing meatballs evenly by turning them gently every minute to develop a perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Create a flavor-packed Asian-inspired sauce combining sweet chili, teriyaki, and fish sauce for an authentic and complex taste profile.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure meatballs reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F, preventing any risk of foodborne illness.
• Customize your dish with fresh garnishes like shredded carrots, cilantro, and jalapeños to add vibrant colors and zesty textures.
• Elevate the meal with optional accompaniments such as pickled red onions and fresh lime wedges for an extra burst of tanginess.
• Let the meatballs rest briefly after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness and flavor retention.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Vietnamese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg