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Vietnamese Bun Cha Inspired Meatballs Meal Prep
5 from 24 votes

Vietnamese Bun Cha Inspired Meatballs Meal Prep

Vietnamese Bun Cha Inspired Meatballs combine ground pork with lemongrass, ginger, garlic, and red chili to create flavorful meatballs that are browned and then cooked in a honey, soy sauce, and lime-infused broth. The recipe offers two cooking options: Instant Pot or oven baking. The meatballs have a balance of savory, sweet, and citrus notes complemented by fresh carrots, peanuts, and rice or noodles for serving, making it a vibrant and satisfying meal prep option.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 40 meatballs
Calories: 71 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese

Ingredients

For the Meatballs
  • 900 grams ground pork
  • 4-5 tbsp lemongrass grated or very finely chopped
  • 3-4 tbsp ginger loosely packed (or to taste, grated
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 red chili seeds removed, chopped finely, plural
  • 1 lime zest
  • 3 tbsp cilantro chopped
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • black pepper
  • salt
  • 2 tsp neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
Liquid for the Instant Pot Method
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • lime zest
  • 1 cup chicken broth
Sauce for the Meatballs
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
  • lime zest
  • lime juice
To Serve
  • 1 carrot julienned
  • peanuts
  • lime wedge
  • rice or quinoa or vermicelli noodles

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a container, mix together the lemongrass, ginger, garlic, red chili, lime zest, chopped cilantro, honey, and soy sauce into the pork. 
  2. Mix together throughly and then roll into little meatballs. I use an ice cream scoop to make the sizing consistent and easy. Set aside.
Instant Pot Method
  1. To make the meatballs in an Instant Pot, add some oil into the IP while on sauté mode.  
  2. Place the meatballs into the IP and let it brown on one side before flipping it over.
  3. Add in the liquid (1 cup chicken broth, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, and lemon zest) into the IP.
  4. Secure the lid on the IP, turn the valve to sealing, click manual (pressure), and set the IP for 10 minutes.
  5. Once done, serve with your choice of sides. I choose carrots, rice, and peanuts. Use the liquid in the IP as a light sauce for the meatballs.
Oven Method
  1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees
  2. Spray down a pan with non-stick and place your meatballs onto the pan before popping it into the oven for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Once done, serve with your choice of sides and mix together 3 tbsp of honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, lime zest, and lime juice for the sauce.
Stove Top Method
  1. On medium-high heat, drizzle lightly some oil onto the pan so the meatballs don't stick.
  2. Add the meatballs into the pan and let it cook until they're golden and cooked through.
  3. Once done, serve with your choice of sides and mix together 3 tbsp of honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, lime zest, and lime juice for the sauce.

Notes

  • Adjust ginger quantity based on your preference to avoid overpowering flavors; 3-4 tablespoons is less intense than 4-5 tablespoons.
  • Use an ice cream scoop to make meatballs uniform in size for even cooking.
  • Calorie information applies only to the meatballs; be aware that sides like rice or noodles add extra calories.

Nutrition Information

Serving 4g Calories 71kcal (4%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 4g (6%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 124mg (5%) Potassium 89mg (2%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 25IU (1%) Vitamin C 4.5mg (5%) Calcium 5mg (1%) Iron 0.3mg (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 40 meatballs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 71

% Daily Value*

Serving 4g
Calories 71kcal 4%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 124mg 5%
Potassium 89mg 2%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 25IU 1%
Vitamin C 4.5mg 5%
Calcium 5mg 1%
Iron 0.3mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.