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Thai Meatballs

By:Nagi
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Epic THAI MEATBALLS!!! Made with pork or chicken, the brilliant Thai flavour of these will have everyone convinced you picked them up from one of those posh Thai restaurants.

Served with a Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, these are seriously tasty!! If you’re in the mood for a Thai Banquet, try these Thai Meatballs with a side of Chicken Satay and Thai Fried Rice!

These Thai Meatballs are packed with bright, earthy Thai flavours! Make these with chicken or pork. recipetineats.com

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, and really truly do taste real-deal Thai, then you’re going to need the help of a few more things.

I think you’ll be familiar with most of the ingredients in these meatballs, except perhaps this one – 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, but it isn’t mandatory!!

These are still smashing meatballs even without kaffir lime leaves. 🙂

Kaffir Lime Leaves recipetineats.com

Kaffir lime leaves aren’t 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 ’em finely).

They cost a few dollars for 20 or so, and they freeze so well! I use them in a handful of recipes and I’ve 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 – because they’re 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!

These Thai Meatballs are packed with bright, earthy Thai flavours! Make these with chicken or pork. recipetineats.com

Make a meal out of it – serve these on the side!

These Thai Meatballs are packed with bright, earthy Thai flavours! Make these with chicken or pork. recipetineats.com

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, I’ve included the recipe for a homemade Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce (which is pictured in the photo right at the top). But I don’t usually bother, if I’m really honest. 🙂

Because…. well, want to know the truth? I figure the meatballs themselves are impressive enough as it is and people don’t really notice the dipping sauce. 😉

Make these for dinner or serve them at a party. Either way, you will be a hero! – Nagi x

Watch how to make it

Be warned of close encounter with Baby Hands. Also – Dozer fans – don’t 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!!

 

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Thai Meatballs on a plate, ready to be eaten

Thai Meatballs

Author: Nagi
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Main, Starter
Thai
4.99 from 60 votes
Servings4 people (25 meatballs)
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe video above. The beautiful, fresh Thai flavour in these meatballs are amazing! Truly like something you'd get at those posh Thai restaurants. These aren't authentic Thai, as far as I know there really aren't meatballs in Thai cuisine (at least, not like this, they have them in soups), but all the flavourings in this are real-deal-Thai.

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:

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 - sometimes, chicken mince can be quite wet. Scoop up 1 slightly heaped tablespoon and roll into a ball (about 3cm / 1.25" 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 - 25 minutes or until a bit browned. They should be beautifully soft - 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:

1. LEMONGRASS: I use paste in the video, so you can see what it looks like. Lemongrass paste is sold in the fresh herbs section (fridge) at supermarkets in Australia. They are a terrific easy substitute for fresh, and it's perfectly acceptable! A Malaysian friend of mine also told me that "everyone" in her family uses frozen finely chopped lemongrass which you can buy from Asian stores, this would also work great. To use fresh, peel off the green outer reedy part, then finely chop the soft white part. You'll need 1 very large or 2 normal lemongrass sticks for this.
2. Kaffir lime leaves: this is an optional extra that will really give these meatballs an edge that is like what you get from really great Thai restaurants. But even without, these meatballs are a cut above the usual Thai meatball recipes, so don't fret if you can't find them! They are not the leaves of normal lime trees, they are different trees. Used in many south easy Asian cuisines, they are limey but have an earthy flavour. In Australia, you'll find them in Woolies, Coles, Harris Farms, fruit & veg stores (herb section) and of course, Asian stores.
THEY FREEZE GREAT and last for months and months. Then use for: Coconut rice, Beef Rendang, Mango Red Curry. Finely slice and add to South East Asian salads and stir fries, use whole in soups and curries. It's a secret ingredient that will make people stop and ask "tell me your secret!!"
DRIED KAFFIR LIME LEAVES can be substituted, but because they are not as aromatic as fresh, add the zest of 1 fresh lime as well. Use 1 tsp of finely crushed dried kaffir lime leaves (use your hands or finely chop).
3. Chillies: 3 Thai or birds eye chillies makes it moderately spicy, not blow-your-head-off. 🙂 Thai all the way! Dial it down by using only 1 if you are concerned. Or, use large red chillies (like cayenne) which are not as spicy (smaller chilli = spicier), and use 1/2 of one, that way you'll get the little red bits in the meatballs without the heat. Or skip it if you really want, it won't change the flavour, just means they won't be spicy.
4. Coriander / cilantro: Watch the video: bundle up the leafy end tightly then finely chop. Use the stem as well as the leaves, great flavour in the stem!
5. Sweet Chilli Sauce: I make this with store bought sauce because it's not the star in this dish and when it's doctored, it makes a great sauce. However, if you would like to make your own, here is the recipe (1st photo in post):
125ml/1/2 cup water, 2.5 tbsp sugar (any), 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 1 long red chilli and 1 birds eye chilli (finely chopped,seeds reserved), 1 cm 2/5" ginger (julienned), 2 cloves garlic finely chopped, dash of fish sauce, 1 tsp sriracha, 1.5 tsp corn starch dissolved in 2 tsp water. Bring sugar and water to boil in small saucepan over medium heat. Add vinegar, chillies, ginger and garlic. Simmer, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved and liquid is reduced by a quarter. Add the fish sauce and stir in the chilli sauce. Drizzle in the corn starch slurry while continuously stirring over heat, until mixture thickens into thin syrup. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature, will thicken as it cools.
6. Rolling Meatballs: Here's how I roll meatballs in a bid to be speedy - measure and dollop all the mixture using a cookie scoop (I use a 1 tbsp one) onto a work surface. THEN roll them. Rather than doing them one by one. I promise this is faster!
7. Make ahead: Freeze raw on a tray then to save space, transfer into bags / containers. Thaw then bake per recipe. They also reheat great in the microwave!
8. Side suggestions for a meal: Thai Fried Rice (skip the meat) + slices of tomato and cucumber (very Thai), Asian Noodle Salad, use the dressing from this Thai Beef Salad to make a giant Asian leafy salad.
9. Nutrition per serving, assuming this serves 4 as a meal.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 190gCalories: 486cal (24%)
Keywords: pork meatballs, Thai meatballs
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

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Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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198 Comments

  2. Artemisia says

    5 stars
    Just made this today; it came out perfect–super flavorful! I love your recipes; I never have to alter anything or bump up the flavors–everything is well-seasoned and balanced. These were easy to make, I love that I don’t need to fry them. I’ll be making more for a party next week–this is a perfect party appetizer! Thanks for another hit!

    Reply

  3. Andrew says

    Hi Nagi,

    I made the Thai Meatball recipe tonight but I didn’t make the mix into meatballs. I was looking to make Thai Dumplings so I simply repurposed the mix, it was very successful. It made 60 dumplings using the Gow Gee wrappers. I plan on using the mix for Thai flavoured sausages next time, maybe adding 10g of potato starch (per 500g of meat) as a binder, I know they’ll be delicious. You are a great inspiration for making killer meals, love your work

    Kind regards,

    Andrew

    Reply

  6. Amanda says

    Making these for dinner tonight with some chicken mince. Somehow have misread the amount of sugar and put 1Tbsp…ooops! I’m sure they’ll be yum anyway once cooked, they smell so good already!

    Reply

  8. Andie says

    5 stars
    Nagi
    another winner!
    made these little beauties last night as a starter, cooked half and half in the freezer as there was only 2 of us. They were so good that I wished we had cooked the lot.
    ps your tip on rolling out meatballs really makes it so easy.
    I have not been on the site for a while – since I got your cookbook in February when it was available in the UK – the oven baked meatballs were better than some Italian restaurants
    love Andie

    Reply

  9. Sue says

    5 stars
    I have been cooking your recipes for years and this is the first one I have felt the need to comment on. Cooked exactly to recipe and they were amazing and delicious thank you

    Reply

  10. Bella says

    5 stars
    Fabulous recipe.
    If you don’t have Kaffir lime leaves, but DO have a lemon tree/plant, I have successfully used lemon leaves in place of Kaffir lime leaves. Obviously, it’s not the exact same flavor, but it does complement Thai flavors in the same way, and I have successfully used them in Thai curries as well.
    I love your recipes!

    Reply

  12. Trace says

    5 stars
    OMG, I had chicken mince which I know can be very bland. I did this recipe, had only some fresh coriander and threw in some dried coriander seeds. Pulled out some frozen lemongrass which cut out finely quite well. A taste sensation, and I will definitely do again.

    Reply

  13. Marla Lobo says

    5 stars
    These are easy but the taste of mine came out very mild. So I have a question: the recipe says 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce but the video shows you using a measuring cup. Is it 2 Tbsp (1/8 cup)?

    Reply

  14. Marbleless says

    5 stars
    Oh geez … I used real lemongrass (won’t do that again), ground turkey, and parsley because cilantro tastes like soap. Served with steamed rice with sesame oil and the recommended tomato and cucumber. Incredible.

    Reply

    • Andrew says

      Use coriander seed powder (or cracked / crushed whole seeds). The seeds don’t have the substance in them that makes it taste like soap. Seeds are milder in flavour than the fresh leaves but you at least get a true coriander flavour. Flat parsley may compliment it too

      Reply

  15. Jilly says

    5 stars
    If you love thai fishcakes you will absolutely love these. Fabulous flavour and ideal they can be made ahead and frozen. Definitely one to add to my party nibbles list 😋 Thanks Nagi

    Reply

  16. Shaz says

    5 stars
    Great recipe! So easy and baked not fried – even easier! I doubled this recipe (1kg pork mince) for a family dinner but had no lemongrass so I added 2 drops of Doterra Lemongrass oil instead. Served the meatballs with steamed rice, basic salad (shredded carrot, cabbage, shallots and snow peas) with sweet chilli sauce. Master teenager doused his with Greek yoghurt and was happy. Honestly I could’ve just eaten the meatballs by themselves; they were so tasty! Enjoyed by all! I will definitely make these again. Thanks Nagi 😁

    Reply

  17. Priscilla says

    5 stars
    I was a little paranoid by how juicy they looked so I ended up overcooking them 😀 They were delicious nonetheless and I’ll definitely make them again but this time stick to the cooking time written. Easy and delicious even without the kaffir and lemongrass. Thanks for yet another awesome recipe.

    Reply

  18. ali says

    5 stars
    Thanks again for a wonderful recipe! Bought pork mince by mistake – which lead to this recipe. I made a Thai green curry with cauliflower and used the meatballs with that. Partner + mum were very impressed. Thanks so much Ü

    Reply

  20. Barbara says

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi. Just made these Thai Meatballs and they were delicious! I used ground turkey and made them into hamburger patties! Browned them in a skillet on the stovetop for about 4 minutes on each side and finished them off in a 350F degree oven for about 10 minutes on each side and they were perfectly juicy!

    Reply