Vietnamese Bun Cha Inspired Meatballs Meal Prep

This Bun Cha Inspired Meatball Meal Prep can be made three ways: Instant Pot, Oven, and Stovetop! A classical Vietnamese recipe made easy!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Meal Prep, Vietnamese

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings meatballs

Calories 71kcal

Author Carmy

Ingredients

For the Meatballs

900 grams ground pork
4-5 tbsp lemongrass grated or very finely chopped
3-4 tbsp grated ginger loosely packed (or to taste)*
4 cloves garlic minced
2 red chilis seeds removed, chopped finely
1 lime zest
3 tbsp chopped cilantro
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
salt and pepper
2 tsp 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

In a container, mix together the lemongrass, ginger, garlic, red chili, lime zest, chopped cilantro, honey, and soy sauce into the pork.
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

To make the meatballs in an Instant Pot, add some oil into the IP while on sauté mode.
Place the meatballs into the IP and let it brown on one side before flipping it over.
Add in the liquid (1 cup chicken broth, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, and lemon zest) into the IP.
Secure the lid on the IP, turn the valve to sealing, click manual (pressure), and set the IP for 10 minutes.
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

Heat the oven to 400 degrees
Spray down a pan with non-stick and place your meatballs onto the pan before popping it into the oven for 15-20 minutes.
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

On medium-high heat, drizzle lightly some oil onto the pan so the meatballs don't stick.
Add the meatballs into the pan and let it cook until they're golden and cooked through.
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.

Video

Notes

calories are just for 4 servings of meatballs, the rice/quinoa/noodles add ons are not included.

originally the ginger was 4-5 tbsp but a reader found it to be too strong. If in general, you find ginger to be overpowering, I suggest decreasing it to 3-4 tbsp but make sure the grated ginger is loosely packed in the measuring spoons.

Nutrition