Grilled Vietnamese Pork Meatballs (with Garlic and Lemongrass)
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Vietnamese
Keyword: garlic, ground pork, lemongrass, pork
Prep Time: 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 6 minutesminutes
Refrigeration Time: 30 minutesminutes
Total Time: 41 minutesminutes
Servings: 24meatballs
Calories: 135kcal
Ground pork mixed with fresh aromatics and spices for a flavourful result straight off the grill. You'll be surprised by the easy tricks that make them so juicy (without adding water)!
Add all ingredients to a large bowl and lightly mix everything until just combined. Do not over mix in order to keep the meatballs tender. Cover and refrigerate the seasoned meat for at least 30 minutesor longer.
Preheat your BBQ oven to medium heat (about 400°F).
Use a Tablespoon to scoop the meat generously. Make sure that each scoop is about the same size. I used food-safe gloves to prevent the meat from sticking to my hands. You can also wet your hands with water or grease your hands with a bit of vegetable oil. Shape each scoop into a ball, then flatten it lightly. Each meatball should have a 2-inch diameter and a 1-inch thickness.
Dip a clean paper towel in vegetable oil and use a tong to brush the paper towel over the grill to season it. You can also use a BBQ-friendly oil spray instead.
Place meatballs 2 inches apart on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 1 ½ minutes. Flip and grill for another 1 ½ minutes.Repeat this one more time for each side, then remove meatballs off the grill onto a clean tray or plate.
You can check for doneness by cutting one of the meatballs in half. It should be evenly cooked throughout. If it is still pink in the center, grill for another 30 seconds to 1 minute longer. Alternatively, you can use a food thermometer to check doneness with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Enjoy meatballs while they're hot on their own, with rice, noodles, or with bread!
Video
Notes
Should I use medium or lean ground pork?I recommend medium ground pork since this contributes to the juicy flavour of the meatballs. If you only have lean ground pork on hand, you can add 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil or lard to the ground pork.What are the tricks to keep the meatballs juicy?Follow these tips, and you will end up with tasty meatballs:
Use medium ground pork. Sometimes the label on the package will have a ratio of 80/20 or, in other words, 80% lean meat to 20% fat.
Do not overmix the pork. Mix only enough to combine the ingredients with the meat to keep it tender. Over mixing can cause the meatballs to be dense.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. When meatballs are chilled, it helps them firm up by keeping the fat in the meat cold and develop more flavour while they rest. The key here is to keep meatballs firm to retain the juicy flavours after they are grilled. Do not skip this step!
Shape meatballs the same size. I used a Tablespoon to scoop equal portions of meat before shaping the meatballs. This kept everything the same size and made grilling the meatballs for doneness easier (especially with timing).
How else can I cook the meatballs?If you do not own a BBQ oven, you can cook the meatballs 3 other ways, just know that the meatball's texture will vary slightly based on your choice of cooking method:
Oven-baked: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and spray it with oil. Place meatballs 1 inch apart on the tray. Bake 15 - 20minutes or until internal temperature registers 165°F (74°C) on a food thermometer.
Pan-fried: Heat a large nonstick pan on medium-high heat with 1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil. Pan-fry meatballs in a single layer without overcrowding the pan for 5 - 7 minutes, then flip and fry for another 5 - 7 minutes. If the meatballs are still pink on the inside, then cook them for another minute or until fully cooked through.
Air-fried: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place meatballs 1 inch apart in a single layer in your air fryer basket and air fry meatballs for 10 - 15 minutes until fully cooked.
Helpful Tips:
To mix ground pork lightly and evenly, I use my hand like a 'claw' and 'stir' the meat until everything is combined.
Not sure if the meat is seasoned to your liking? Scoop a tablespoon of the meat into a heat-proof dish and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Taste and season it with more fish sauce or brown sugar to your preference.
Confused about minced lemongrass? You can read more about it here. You can use fresh or frozen minced lemongrass for this recipe.