Easy Vietnamese Meatballs Recipe

Looking for a quick and flavorful dish? These easy homemade Vietnamese Meatballs are packed with fresh herbs and savory spices, perfect for a tasty meal. Whether served over rice, in a sandwich, or on their own, they bring a burst of deliciousness to any table.

What are traditional Vietnamese Meatballs?

Traditional Vietnamese meatballs, known as “nem nướng” or “chả viên,” are a popular dish in Vietnamese cuisine.

These meatballs are typically made from ground pork mixed with garlic, shallots, fish sauce, and a blend of spices, often including black pepper and sugar for a balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors.

They are usually grilled or pan-fried, giving them a deliciously smoky and slightly caramelized exterior, and are often served with rice, vermicelli noodles, or in bánh mì sandwiches, accompanied by fresh herbs and a dipping sauce like nước chấm.

What ingredients are in these easy Vietnamese Meatballs?

Certainly! Here’s how each of these ingredients contributes to making flavorful vegan Vietnamese meatballs:

Vegan Ground Beef: This serves as the base for the meatballs, providing a meaty texture and protein content similar to traditional pork. When seasoned properly, vegan ground beef absorbs flavors well, making it a perfect substitute in this recipe. It ensures the meatballs are both hearty and satisfying, while catering to plant-based diets.

Cloves of Garlic: Garlic is a key aromatic in Vietnamese cuisine, offering a pungent and slightly sweet flavor. It enhances the overall taste of the meatballs, adding depth and a savory richness. When minced finely, it disperses evenly throughout the mixture, ensuring each bite is infused with garlic’s robust flavor.

Shallots are milder and sweeter than regular onions, providing a subtle but complex flavor. They add a delicate sweetness and enhance the umami profile of the meatballs. Finely chopped shallots also contribute moisture, keeping the meatballs tender.

Soy sauce is a crucial seasoning in this recipe, providing a salty, umami flavor that enhances the meatiness of the vegan ground beef. It helps to round out the flavors, adding depth and a rich, savory taste to the meatballs. Use a good quality soy sauce for the best results, and consider a low-sodium version if you prefer to control the saltiness.

Sugar balances the saltiness of the soy sauce and the pungency of the garlic and shallots. It adds a subtle sweetness that is characteristic of many Vietnamese dishes, helping to create a harmonious flavor profile. A small amount of sugar can also help to caramelize the exterior of the meatballs during cooking, adding a nice golden color and slight crispiness.

Lemongrass paste introduces a fresh, citrusy flavor that is quintessential in Vietnamese cuisine. It brightens up the dish with its fragrant aroma and slightly tart taste, cutting through the richness of the other ingredients. Using a paste allows for easy incorporation into the mixture, ensuring that the lemongrass flavor is evenly distributed throughout the meatballs.

How to make Vietnamese Meatballs

Begin with finely chopping the shallots and fresh garlic cloves. 

Then, take a medium-size mixing bowl and combine the vegan ground beef with the chopped shallots, garlic, soy sauce, lemongrass pasta, and sugar. 

Form six similar sized balls from the mixture.

Now, heat the vegetable oil in a pan. When hot, give the Vietnamese Meatballs to it and fry them for two minutes. Reduce to medium size and flip over. Continue frying for 5 minutes, flip again, and fry 2 more minutes.

Now your Vietnamese Meatballs are ready to enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Here are five serving suggestions for your vegan Vietnamese meatballs:

1. Vermicelli Noodle Bowl: Serve the meatballs over a bed of rice vermicelli noodles, with fresh herbs like mint, cilantro, and basil, along with shredded lettuce, cucumber, and pickled carrots. Drizzle with a tangy nước chấm (vegan fish sauce) dressing for a refreshing and balanced meal.
2. Bánh Mì Sandwich: Tuck the meatballs into a crusty baguette with pickled vegetables (like daikon and carrots), cucumber slices, fresh cilantro, and a smear of vegan mayonnaise or pâté. The combination of textures and flavors makes for a delicious and satisfying sandwich.
3. Rice Paper Rolls: Wrap the meatballs in rice paper with vermicelli noodles, lettuce, mint, and bean sprouts to create fresh spring rolls. Serve with a side of hoisin-peanut dipping sauce for a light and tasty appetizer or snack.
4. Rice Bowl: Serve the meatballs over steamed jasmine or broken rice, with a side of sautéed greens (like bok choy or spinach), and a fried or scrambled tofu for a simple and hearty meal. Add a dollop of vegan chili paste for extra heat.
5. Lettuce Wraps: Use large lettuce leaves (like romaine or butter lettuce) as wraps, filling them with meatballs, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, and fresh herbs. Top with crushed peanuts and a drizzle of soy or hoisin sauce for a low-carb, refreshing option.

Variation ideas for Vietnamese Meatballs

Here are three variations on vegan Vietnamese meatballs that add unique flavors and textures:

Spicy Sriracha Meatballs: Add a kick of heat by mixing Sriracha sauce into the meatball mixture. The spicy, tangy flavor of Sriracha complements the savory ingredients, creating a bolder version of the classic meatballs. Pair these spicy meatballs with a cooling cucumber salad or a sweet chili dipping sauce to balance the heat.

Mushroom and Tofu Meatballs: Combine finely chopped mushrooms and crumbled tofu with the vegan ground beef for a more textured and umami-rich meatball. The mushrooms add an earthy flavor, while the tofu enhances the softness and moisture of the meatballs. This variation is perfect for those who enjoy a more nuanced, meaty flavor profile without relying solely on plant-based ground meat.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs: Incorporate a sweet and tangy element by mixing in pineapple juice, a bit of tomato paste, and extra sugar into the meatball mixture. After cooking, glaze the meatballs with a sweet and sour sauce made from rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, and a touch of cornstarch. These meatballs pair wonderfully with stir-fried vegetables and rice, offering a delicious contrast of flavors.

Other Recipes to try

• Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Meatball Bake
• Porcupine Meatballs
• Vegetarian Swedish Meatballs
• Marinara Meatball Subs

I hope you enjoyed making these easy homemade vegan Vietnamese meatballs! If you tried the recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out—please leave a comment below with a star rating.

Don’t forget to snap a picture and share it on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your delicious creations. Happy cooking!