Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

VietnameseAuthentic Cuisine

Vietnamese Meatball Pot 2

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Vietnamese Meatball Pot 2

Vietnamese Meatball Pot 2 is a comforting staple found in homes across Vietnam, especially during family meals that call for warmth and familiarity. This dish reflects the casual, intuitive cooking approach of Vietnamese home cooks, where ingredients are measured by feel and taste, rather than strict recipes. It's a dish that bridges the gap between everyday simplicity and hearty satisfaction, often prepared when the family gathers for an unfussy, yet fulfilling dinner.

The meatballs are robust, with the richness of ground beef, subtly sweetened by sautéed onions and brightened by ripe tomatoes. The addition of breadcrumbs and egg ensures a tender bite, while the seasoning of salt and pepper is adjusted to personal preference, making each pot unique. Enjoy it as a centerpiece, allowing everyone to serve themselves and savor the comforting flavors that only home-cooked meals can offer.

Ingredients

  • 700 gground beef
  • 1onion
  • 1egg
  • 2 tbspbreadcrumbs
  • 2tomatoes
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine 700 g ground beef, 1 finely chopped onion, 1 egg, and 2 tbsp breadcrumbs. Season the mixture generously with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use your hands to mix everything thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture feels slightly sticky.
  2. Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. Aim for uniformity in size to ensure even cooking. Set them aside on a plate.
  3. Heat a generous amount of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the meatballs in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Brown the meatballs on all sides, turning them gently with a spatula, until they develop a deep golden-brown crust.
  4. While the meatballs are browning, roughly chop 2 tomatoes. Once the meatballs are browned, remove them from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add the chopped tomatoes and cook them in the remaining oil and meat juices, stirring occasionally, until they break down and form a thick sauce.
  5. Return the browned meatballs to the pot with the tomato sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the meatballs braise gently. Cook until the meatballs are tender and the flavors meld together, about 15-20 minutes. The sauce should be rich and slightly thickened, coating the meatballs well.
  6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the Vietnamese Meatball Pot 2 hot, accompanied by steamed rice, crusty bread, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Cover of Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Vietnamese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Vietnamese cuisine