Epic THAI MEATBALLS!!! Made with pork or chicken, the brilliant Thai flavour of these will have everyone convinced you picked them up fromΒ one of those posh Thai restaurants.
Served with a Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, these are seriously tasty!! If youβre in the mood for a Thai Banquet, try these Thai Meatballs with a side of Chicken Satay and Thai Fried Rice!
Thai Meatballs
You can mix together mince with coriander/cilantro, garlic and a dash of soy and get away with calling that Thai. And they will be ok(ish). But if you want some Thai Meatballs that are seriously delicious, andΒ really truly do taste real-deal Thai, then youβre going to need the help of a few more things.
I think youβll be familiar with most of the ingredients in these meatballs, except perhaps this one β Kaffir Lime Leaves.
Now, before you run around town trying to hunt these down in an Asian store, let me just stress this fact: yes it adds a little something-something that is so authentically posh-Thai-restauranty,Β but it isnβt mandatory!!
These are still smashing meatballs even without kaffir lime leaves. π
Kaffir lime leaves arenβt from normal lime trees, they are different. They smell limey but more earthy. They are plonked in whole into curries / soups / coconut rice to infuse with flavour, or finely chopped as pictured above. Cut out the stem, roll it up like a cigar, then finely slice (cause they are kind of tough, got to chop βem finely).
They cost a few dollars for 20 or so, and theyΒ freeze so well! I use them in a handful of recipes and Iβve linked them in the notes for you.
What goes in Thai Meatballs
In addition to the optional Kaffir lime leaves, these Thai Meatballs have all the other usual Thai-flavour suspects:
plenty of garlic, ginger, chillies
coriander/cilantro
lemongrass
fish sauce (or soy, if you really insist)
Just give them mix and you have yourself some seriously tasty meatballs.
How to cook them βΒ because theyβre so lovely and soft, they are kind of hard to pan fry. So I bake these. They hold their shape and are golden on the outside, and juicy on the inside!
Make a meal out of it β serve these on the side!
Steamed Jasmine rice, Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice or Coconut Rice
Crunchy Asian Slaw on the side βΒ great all rounder Asian salad that goes with all Asian foods
Asian Sesame Dressing for any fresh saladΒ or steamed vegetables
Sweet Chilli Dipping sauce for Thai Meatballs
I totally cheat with the dipping sauce. I just doctor up sweet chilli sauce with some garlic and lime juice.
In case you really want to go all out, Iβve included the recipe for a homemade Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce (which is pictured in the photo right at the top). But I donβt usually bother, if Iβm really honest. π
Becauseβ¦. well, want to know the truth? I figure the meatballs themselves are impressive enough as it is and people donβt really notice the dipping sauce. π
Make these for dinner or serve them at a party. Either way, you will be a hero! β Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Be warned of close encounter with Baby Hands. Also βΒ Dozer fans β donβt miss his little cameo at the end of the recipe video. I swear, one day a pelican is going to turn around and give him a big peck!!
Β
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Thai Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 500 g / 1 lb pork mince (ground pork, or chicken)
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste (or finely chopped fresh) (Note 1)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 kaffir lime leaves, stem removed and very finely shredded, optional extra (Note 2)
- 3 Thai or birds eye chillies , seeds removed and finely chopped (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro , leaves and stem finely chopped (Note 4)
- 1 tsp sugar (any)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (can sub with soy sauce if required)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (+ extra 1/4 cup if needed)
- 1 small egg
- Oil spray
Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml sweet chilli sauce , store bought (Note 5)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 2 tbsp lime juice , plus more to taste
Optional garnishes & serving:
- Coriander/cilantro leaves , finely sliced large red chillies
- Steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan / convection).
- Place a rack on a tray (optional, rack keeps balls slightly rounder).
- Place Meatball ingredients in a bowl (except oil spray), mix well with your hands. Only use extra breadcrumbs if necessary β sometimes, chicken mince can be quite wet. Scoop up 1 slightly heaped tablespoon and roll into a ball (about 3cm / 1.25β³ diameter). (Note 6 for my way)
- Spray rack well with oil and place the meatballs on the rack.
- Spray meatballs generously with oil, then bake for 20 β 25 minutes or until a bit browned. They should be beautifully soft β see video!
- Serve warm with Sauce, garnished with coriander and chillies if desired.
Sauce:
- Place ingredients in a bowl and mix. Set aside for at least 10 minutes before using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More Thai food recipes
Pad ThaiΒ and Pad See Ew
Starters β Chicken SatayΒ andΒ Thai Fish Cakes
Browse the Thai recipe collection
Life of Dozer
Heβs really looking forward to tomorrow (Halloween).
Really.
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These a so good, I mean fantastic⦠I would give them more than 5 stars if I could. I wish I could find kaffir lime leaves in Canada⦠I will keep looking. I found dried ones but they are meh⦠I add lime zest as a sub⦠did I mention they are delicious. Thanks for this gem Nagi! I am going to try them as burgers soon!
Hi Jenn, Iβm also in Canada and have found kaffir like leaves at T&T and many local Asian stores! Even the Walmarts around me will often sell them.
I donβt have an oven at the moment (renovating) so I gently browned them in a fry pan then simmered them in a Thai red curry sauce. Amazing!
oops forgot to mention I used chicken mince
Every time I make one of your recipes, I tell my friendsβ¦ I just made the best dish Iβve ever made. These meatballsβ¦OMG! I canβt stop! I missed the oil spray on top (excited to get them in the oven)β¦ and turned out perfect! And I used a ginger garlic sauce I had in hand! I canβt even believe I made these!!
Can I cook then freeze ?will be easier to just heat for party
Yes 100% Jann! N x
Even my fussy kids like this! Something we can all eat β hoorah!
These are sensational. I made them for nibbles for when we had people over. They were lucky to get any because I kept going back to eat them when they came out of the oven. Used pork mince and they were so tender and flavoursome.
Another winner Nagi.
Hi Nagi,
Can I use half chicken mince and half pork mince for these beautiful meatballs?
Thanks
Sure can Jenny! N x
Iβve made these many times, always a hitβ¦.but todayβs were the best! Go easy on the breadcrumbs and donβt overcook. When you roll they be really soft and moist. Best ever. Thanks Nagi.
Made them with pork mince absolutely gorgeous, can I use turkey mince
had the meat balls β used chicken instead of pork, worked just fine. made a side salad of sliced cucumber and cherry tomatoes, with a bit of lemon juice, salt, and white vinegar. overall great,must ry it with pork next time.
I invented a new word for these gorgeous meatballs β¦.. scrumptalicious!! Theyβre packed full of flavour and quick and easy to make!
I go straight to your website now for any recipe Iβm looking for, youβre the best!!
10/10 absolutely delish π₯°
Iβve made these before however this time I made them more a rissole size. Served with sweet chilli sauce and a Thai salad-OMG lovely.
Delicious. So easy to make. I made a batch to have with Asian slaw for my lunches during the week.
Very delicious and texture just right. Tasted like a Thai takeout. Impressed with the dipping sauce too β used dried crushed chillis cos didnβt have fresh and again it tasted authentic.
Thatβs great to hear Julia!! N x
Worked great! Omitted the chilli for the kids and added chopped water chestnuts. So good.
I made these without cilantro as I didnβt have any at hand, flattened the balls and pan fried. So yummy! My family asked to have these again, even when dinner was not over yet.
Hello
Your recipes are phenomenal!love them! Planning to make these tomorrow. Do these freeze well?
Hi Asmita, thanks so much! And yes, these freeze perfectly! N x
Hi Nagi, I made these as a finger food to serve when friends came over. They were an absolute hit. Even my fussy 9 yr old loved them. Thanks again for another winner.
Iam not a great cook β but I try to get better thanks to you Nagi (.. and Nigellaβ¦) !!
These thai meatballs are fantastic ! They taste so fresh and healthy ! Iam wondering if there is a substitute to meat ?
Will also need to have a look at your other recipesβ¦. Thanks again for.posting !!
Hi Nagi!, I love all your recipes!! I have made many of them and My husband always says they are delicious and taste like food from an amazing restaurant. I was wondering if it was possible that you could show us how to make good eggplant meatballs. Thank you so much for sharing all these amazing recipes with us!