My inspiration for these yummy Cambodian Lemongrass Meatballs came from several different things. First, being that I love meatballs. Second, I had purchased some Bahn Mi meatballs at the meat counter at New Seasons and they were so delicious that I wanted to recreate something similar. Third, I had purchased some seasoning at the Savory Spice Shop that I wanted to try out (and the flavors seamed perfect for recreating those New Seasons meatballs).
Mmmmmmm….. Meatballs. Who doesn’t love meatballs? Meatballs are so much more than just ground meat rolled into balls, they are juicy little morsels of love. I mean, think about it, you have to have just the right amount of seasoning, egg, bread crumb, onion, garlic, etc… (in order for them to come out moist, juicy and perfectly seasoned) and then you get in there with your hands carefully blending the ingredients and then rolling each one into perfectly uniform spheres(of love).
It’s no wonder that meatballs are such a popular dish in just about every country around the world, each having their own signature style. Some are grilled and served in flatbread, some are served in flavorful broth or creamy sauce and others just stand alone in their own meatball glory.
These Meatballs turned out so yummy and with similar flavor to those that I had purchased at the meat counter. They are absolutely delicious on their own but I wanted to make a sauce (glaze) for them as well. I would describe these meatballs using some Guy Fieri-isms like, these meatballs are “off the hook” and “takin’ a trip to flavor-town”! The sauce, more of a glaze, is spicy (not too spicy though), sticky and sweet and the cooling coconut rice paired perfectly bringing the whole dish together. Add some of my Sweet and Sour Quick Pickled Vegetables even more flavor! Yum!
How to make Cambodian lemongrass meatballs:
For the meatballs:
In a bowl add pork, onion, garlic, ginger basil, egg, bread crumb, soy sauce, and salt. mix well to combine.
Grab about 2 tablespoon amount of meat at a time and roll into balls. Place meatballs onto sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You should end up with 12 equally sized meatballs.
Bake meatballs in a 400 degree F preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through and nicely browned. (do not overcook)
Remove meatballs from oven once done and set aside.
For the glaze:
In a small bowl combine soy sauce, hoisin, honey, vinegar, chili oil, garlic, ginger and lemongrass seasoning. On the stove, heat a skillet or wok over med-high heat. Pour in sauce ingredients and bring to bubbling. Toss in the cooked meatballs and cook in sauce stirring frequently until sauce thickens to a glaze. This happens pretty quickly, so don’t step away from the stove.
Serve with coconut jasmine rice or steamed rice of you choice
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork 20% fat content
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves minced
- 1 each egg
- 1/4 cup fine bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cambodian lemongrass curry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon hot chili oil incluce some of the pepper flakes
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ginger minced
- 1/2 teaspoon cambodian lemongrass curry seasoning
Instructions
For the meatballs:
- In a bowl add pork, onion, garlic, ginger basil, egg, bread crumb, soy sauce, lemongrass seasoning and salt. mix well to combine.
- Grab about 2 tablespoon amount of meat at a time and roll into balls. Place meatballs onto sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You should end up with 12 equally sized meatballs.
- Bake meatballs in a 400 degree F preheated oven for 20 minutes until cooked through and nicely browned. (do not overcook)
- Remove meatballs from oven once done and set aside.
For the glaze:
- In a small bowl combine soy sauce, hoisin, honey, vinegar, chili oil, garlic, ginger and lemongrass seasoning. On the stove, heat a skillet or wok over med-high heat. Pour in sauce ingredients and bring to bubbling. Toss in the cooked meatballs and cook in sauce stirring frequently until sauce thickens to a glaze. This happens pretty quickly, so don’t step away from the stove.
- Serve with coconut jasmine rice or steamed rice of you choice
Nutrition
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
- 1 1/2 cups water
- to taste kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- Rinse rice with 2-3 changes of cold water and drain. Add rice to pan or use rice cooker. Add water and coconut milk and season with salt and pepper to taste.If cooking on the stove: Bring everything to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook until done (about 20 minutes) or use package cooking directions,In Rice cooker: Combine all ingredients in rice cooker, close lid, cook using white rice setting.Fluff rice with fork when done and serve.
Nutrition
Wine/Drink Suggestions:
- Gewurztraminer or Riesling
- Coconut Sake’
- Pina Colada
- Asian Beer like Tsingtao
More recipes like this:
- Asian BBQ Sloppy Joe’s with Peanut Slaw
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Asian BBQ Chicken Bahn Mi Sliders
- Japanese Cabbage Salad with Chicken, Edamame and Wasabi Soy Almonds
4 Comments
chef mimi
April 13, 2018 at 5:14 pmWait. Hold the horses. Coconut Sake?????
angela@mealstreetkitchen
April 13, 2018 at 5:52 pmOh yes! It’s absolutely delicious! Try Ty Ku Coconut Negori Sake. Serve chilled. You’ll thank me later! Lol
Tasty Eats Ronit Penso
April 13, 2018 at 5:09 pmThese look super tasty. Great photos too! ????
angela@mealstreetkitchen
April 13, 2018 at 5:53 pmThank you! They were delicious