Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

VietnameseAuthentic Cuisine

Vietnamese Meatball Pot

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Vietnamese Meatball Pot

Vietnamese Meatball Pot is a comforting dish that often graces Vietnamese home tables. It's the kind of dish that feels like a warm embrace, with ingredients that are staples in many kitchens. Ground beef and fresh tomatoes form the heart of this pot, offering a simple yet satisfying meal. This home-cooked version brings together the essence of Vietnamese family meals, where the salt is judged by hand and the fat is never shy, ensuring each bite is rich and fulfilling.

The beauty of this dish lies in its texture and balance. The meatballs are tender, thanks to the breadcrumbs and egg that bind them, while the onions and tomatoes create a savory, slightly sweet sauce. The flavors meld together, creating a dish that is both hearty and comforting. It's meant to be shared, inviting everyone at the table to savor the taste of home.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Begin by finely chopping 1 onion and setting it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine 700 g ground beef, the chopped onion, 1 egg, and 2 tbsp breadcrumbs. Season the mixture with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat mixture.
  2. Shape the seasoned meat mixture into small, even-sized meatballs, about the size of a golf ball. This ensures they cook evenly and are easy to handle during cooking.
  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, ensuring they do not touch. Allow the meatballs to brown on all sides, turning them carefully with tongs or a spatula. They should develop a deep, rich color, which indicates a good sear and flavor development.
  4. While the meatballs are browning, dice 2 tomatoes. Once the meatballs are browned, remove them from the pot and set aside. Add the diced tomatoes to the pot, using the residual oil and browned bits to start a flavorful base.
  5. Cook the tomatoes over medium heat until they soften and begin to break down, releasing their juices. This should create a fragrant, slightly thickened sauce in the pot.
  6. Return the browned meatballs to the pot, nestling them into the tomato sauce. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low, allowing the meatballs to braise gently. Cook until the meatballs are tender and have absorbed the flavors of the sauce, which should be aromatic and slightly thickened.
  7. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed. Serve the Vietnamese Meatball Pot hot, accompanied by rice, bread, or a fresh salad, ready for sharing at the table.
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