Epic THAI MEATBALLS!!! Made with pork or chicken, the brilliant Thai flavour of these will have everyone convinced you picked them up from one of those posh Thai restaurants.
Served with a Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce, these are seriously tasty!! If you’re in the mood for a Thai Banquet, try these Thai Meatballs with a side of Chicken Satay and Thai Fried Rice!
Thai Meatballs
You can mix together mince with coriander/cilantro, garlic and a dash of soy and get away with calling that Thai. And they will be ok(ish). But if you want some Thai Meatballs that are seriously delicious, and really truly do taste real-deal Thai, then you’re going to need the help of a few more things.
I think you’ll be familiar with most of the ingredients in these meatballs, except perhaps this one – Kaffir Lime Leaves.
Now, before you run around town trying to hunt these down in an Asian store, let me just stress this fact: yes it adds a little something-something that is so authentically posh-Thai-restauranty, but it isn’t mandatory!!
These are still smashing meatballs even without kaffir lime leaves. 🙂
Kaffir lime leaves aren’t from normal lime trees, they are different. They smell limey but more earthy. They are plonked in whole into curries / soups / coconut rice to infuse with flavour, or finely chopped as pictured above. Cut out the stem, roll it up like a cigar, then finely slice (cause they are kind of tough, got to chop ’em finely).
They cost a few dollars for 20 or so, and they freeze so well! I use them in a handful of recipes and I’ve linked them in the notes for you.
What goes in Thai Meatballs
In addition to the optional Kaffir lime leaves, these Thai Meatballs have all the other usual Thai-flavour suspects:
plenty of garlic, ginger, chillies
coriander/cilantro
lemongrass
fish sauce (or soy, if you really insist)
Just give them mix and you have yourself some seriously tasty meatballs.
How to cook them – because they’re so lovely and soft, they are kind of hard to pan fry. So I bake these. They hold their shape and are golden on the outside, and juicy on the inside!
Make a meal out of it – serve these on the side!
Steamed Jasmine rice, Thai Fried Rice, Pineapple Fried Rice or Coconut Rice
Crunchy Asian Slaw on the side – great all rounder Asian salad that goes with all Asian foods
Asian Sesame Dressing for any fresh salad or steamed vegetables
Sweet Chilli Dipping sauce for Thai Meatballs
I totally cheat with the dipping sauce. I just doctor up sweet chilli sauce with some garlic and lime juice.
In case you really want to go all out, I’ve included the recipe for a homemade Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce (which is pictured in the photo right at the top). But I don’t usually bother, if I’m really honest. 🙂
Because…. well, want to know the truth? I figure the meatballs themselves are impressive enough as it is and people don’t really notice the dipping sauce. 😉
Make these for dinner or serve them at a party. Either way, you will be a hero! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
Be warned of close encounter with Baby Hands. Also – Dozer fans – don’t miss his little cameo at the end of the recipe video. I swear, one day a pelican is going to turn around and give him a big peck!!
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Thai Meatballs
Ingredients
Meatballs:
- 500 g / 1 lb pork mince (ground pork, or chicken)
- 1 tbsp lemongrass paste (or finely chopped fresh) (Note 1)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 3 kaffir lime leaves, stem removed and very finely shredded, optional extra (Note 2)
- 3 Thai or birds eye chillies , seeds removed and finely chopped (Note 3)
- 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro , leaves and stem finely chopped (Note 4)
- 1 tsp sugar (any)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (can sub with soy sauce if required)
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (+ extra 1/4 cup if needed)
- 1 small egg
- Oil spray
Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml sweet chilli sauce , store bought (Note 5)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 2 tbsp lime juice , plus more to taste
Optional garnishes & serving:
- Coriander/cilantro leaves , finely sliced large red chillies
- Steamed jasmine rice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan / convection).
- Place a rack on a tray (optional, rack keeps balls slightly rounder).
- Place Meatball ingredients in a bowl (except oil spray), mix well with your hands. Only use extra breadcrumbs if necessary – sometimes, chicken mince can be quite wet. Scoop up 1 slightly heaped tablespoon and roll into a ball (about 3cm / 1.25″ diameter). (Note 6 for my way)
- Spray rack well with oil and place the meatballs on the rack.
- Spray meatballs generously with oil, then bake for 20 – 25 minutes or until a bit browned. They should be beautifully soft – see video!
- Serve warm with Sauce, garnished with coriander and chillies if desired.
Sauce:
- Place ingredients in a bowl and mix. Set aside for at least 10 minutes before using.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More Thai food recipes
Pad Thai and Pad See Ew
Starters – Chicken Satay and Thai Fish Cakes
Browse the Thai recipe collection
Life of Dozer
He’s really looking forward to tomorrow (Halloween).
Really.
SaveSave
OMG, Nagi! I nearly choked on my homemade coffee latte 3 times this morning while laughing at Dozer. The first was your tale of Dozer’s “shameful” behavior at the BBQ. Then I watch your meatball video and at the end I see Dozer struggling to get the at the pelican. I thought I was done laughing, but then I scroll down and see Dozer in his halloween costume and by then I am laughing uncontrollably. He is so adorably cute though! Thanks for always sharing Dozer’s antics. He always gets my mornings started with a smile, but today was the best!
Oh, and not to forget the yummy looking meatballs. My husband loves meatballs and he also loves sauces. He will LOVE this recipe!
3 out of 3 – Dozer home run!!! 😂
Kaffir leaves, go figure. I’d have never thought of that. Must try this one. Maybe I’ll make Thai meatball skewers and give’m a cook on the Barbie.
You know, if you guys would build a ramp from the water up to the dock, I think Dozer could nab one of those pelicans.
Pelican stew…?? 😂
Silly me! I actually Googled it! Yes. recipes available . . . . Unless you want to feel sick do not look at the answers . . . . nought to do with pelican btw . . . .
😳
Hi Nagi I just stumbled upon your video and recipe for thai meatballs..so wonderful.I laughed my head off at Dozer I have an English springer spaniel who is as crazy as dozer and he COUNTER SURFS THE KITCHEN TO STEAL FOOD..had a BBQ THIS SUMMER HE STOLE 3 HAMBURGERS RIGHT OFF THE BBQ TABLE we have a lot in common. Cheers and thanks for the fab recipe Gillian (from Toronto canada)
Cheeky pup!!!! At least your spaniel would cause a lot less chaos than Dozer if he counter surfed!!! N x
Making the meatballs Nov 18. with one eye on my springer Luca
😂
Hi Nagi, I recently found out I can’t eat egg (breastfeeding my bub who is allergic to egg). If I took out the egg, would the meatballs still be intact? I’ve made your rissoles recipe (with egg, before I found out about the allergy) and absolutely loved it!!
Hi Coleen! Yep it will, reduce the breadcrumbs down to 1/2 cup and mix well for 2 minutes 🙂 This is the “Asian” way to make meatballs, they are a bit firmer but still juicy inside. N x
Oh sugar, I am still laughing my head off about Dozer at the picnic! Can’t think straight enough to write sense!! But, listen boyo, most things are fair enough but not the snatch off a bub’s hot dog!! Ok?? Love the meatballs . . . wonder how some do eat the ‘ordinary’ ones instead . . . utterly boring . . .
I KNOW I KNOW!!! Disgraceful!! 😂
BBQ sounds BIG SUCCESS FOR ALL EACH AND EVERYONE, BIG. AND SMALL! Kids and animals know how to be happy, Bravo! Meat balls are Delicious!! Thank you. Halloween Dozer NOT SCARE AT ALL….
Success for Dozer, that’s for sure! 😂
Dulcey is caramelised white chocolate – and it’s as amazing as it sounds!
Valrhona produce it but I’m sure you’ll find a way of making it…….in fact, I’m relying on it!
(Yeah, we love Manly & I’m such a sucker for Coles on the Corso! ;-D)
I’ll have to keep an eye out for it! Thanks for the tip! N x
Ive been experimenting with Thai cuisine, and ironically, I just made something similar to this with leftover Dim Sum mix (shrimp and pork). I par-baked them and then simmered them in (also leftover) Tom Yum broth. The hardest ingredient to find for Thai cooking is galangal (for which ginger cannot substitute). If you have an Asian market, don’t forget to look in freezer sections for hard-to-find ingredients. Anyone who is interested in Thai instruction — check out a food blog and YouTuber: Pailin’s Hot Thai Kitchen…..and Thai food doesn’t have to be hot unless you make it that way.
Oooh that sounds AMAZING Martin! And YES to meatball Tom Yum!! N xx
Hi Nagi! I completely forgot that it’s Meatball Monday! As usual, these sound amazing! I always have sweet chili sauce on hand; I like to use it as a dipping sauce for shrimp and eggrolls and as a glaze on pork tenderloin. Great beach stories; it was 28F here this a.m. so no beach picnics in my near future!
Do you have ugg boots to stomp around in, Dorothy?? 😁
About Kaffir lime. We don’t have them fresh here but you can buy dried. Could these be ground and used as a powder? Mail from you is always a pleasure. My “Nagi cookbook” at Mastercook has now overe 400 recipes.¨
Eija
Hi Eija! Thanks for the question – I popped a note in about using tired 🙂 And I’m SO FLATTERED that there are so many of my recipes in your Mastercook book!! N xx
Hi Nagi
I live in the UK & just wanted to say how much I love your blog & trust your recipes – they always work! My current favourite is the Vietnamese caramel pork & pickled carrot side dish – just awesome. Thai meatballs tomorrow night!
In France recently I bought some dulcey (blond) chocolate & made a fab tart with it in sweet pastry. Is dulcey available in Aus or a cheaper equivalent? It’s an amazing ingredient but sooo expensive: £30/kg – Aus $50. My husband & I are spending January in Manly to see our kids & friends & I’ll be stocking up on so many ingredients for when we’re back in the dark & cold English winter, pining for the colour & sun of Australia!
Thanks for the recipes & I’ll say hello if I see you & Dozer! 🤗x
Dulcey? Hmm, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it! I will keep an eye out for it, I’d be interested to give it a go. You will LOVE Manly in January!! School holidays, it’s pumping! N xx
Nagi, you without a doubt, have the absolutely best recipes available. When I see one freshly arrived in my inbox, I have to read it before any other e-mail (unless there is one that says I won 10 million dollars!) I do enjoy your Mama’s recipes as well, but your just hit every button for me! Your Chinese BBQ pork will forever live on in my recipe must-makes. And this Thai meatball one looks like another big winner! (dinner tonight!) Truth time: as much as I totally love your recipes, I have to admit I do scroll to see what Dozer is up to in this episode! He is such a character! I love Goldens (my sister raised them so we always had some scooting around). Dozer may not look like my Katie, who is my 85 lb pittie-lab, but the personality is on point! My Katie does not “get” the idea of “walk WITH me” – she uses all her power (and she is amazingly powerful) to pull me to the point where to hang on to her, I am almost levitating and have crashed into not a few trees and bushes thanks to her. She, too, is a “foodie” and feels deprived if I do not share all of my meals with her (as long as it’s something dogs can eat!) But, I wouldn’t have her any other way! If G-d has made anything better than dogs, I wouldn’t know what that might be! Please keep the awesome recipes coming as well as photo shoots of Dozer!
“When I see one freshly arrived in my inbox, I have to read it before any other e-mail (unless there is one that says I won 10 million dollars!) ” <-- You just made my day, and cracked me up! ❤️
And you score BIG POINTS for this –> “I have to admit I do scroll to see what Dozer is up to in this episode! “
Im new to tai food, can you give some ideas for side dishes? I have used many of your dishes with great success…We love you ideas.
Hi Debb! Sure thing, I added a note with links to recipes! N xx
Hi Nagi! I just have to tell you that before I do my weekly shopping I plan each day’s dinner and draw up a list of ingredients. Recipetineats is the first place I check for recipes and, without fail, one or more of your dishes ends up on my table – and they’re always a hit. I look forward to trying out these meatballs for one of our holiday parties!
I LOVE HEARING THAT CHERYL!!! Thank you so much for reading and trying my recipes! N xx
Can dried kaffir leaves be substituted for fresh?
HI Tracy! Thanks for the question, added directions for this 🙂 Use 1 tsp crushed dried + zest of 1 lime, because dried is not as aromatic as fresh. 🙂 N x
I love all your recipes Nagi, can’t wait to try these meatballs! And Dozer is adorable in his Halloween duds🎃
I don’t think he agrees…. 😂
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
Hi Joan! Thanks for the question, I popped a make ahead note in. Yes, freeze raw! N xx
I have the same question about these being too Spicey? Are they very hot?
By the way Dozer has a great life…He is lucky!
HI LYN!! I have spiciness notes in Note 3 🙂 Hope it helps!!! N xx
Your ‘ last Monday of each month’ meatball recipe for this week has changed my meal plans. Thai meatballs tomorrow, everything else can slip back a day. They sound so good.
I LOVE HEARING THAT! 😘
I can’t wait to try this Thai Meatball recipe. It sounds delicious. Most of your recipes include “nutrition facts” which makes it really easy for me to research recipes and prepare meals for my nephew who is trying to watch his weight. Do you have any nutrition facts on this recipe?
Thanks,
Sandi
PS I also love your blog. Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks for the reminder Sandi, update!!! So glad you enjoy my recipes, thanks or reading! N xx
That was quick, THANK YOU!!!