Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savory pork meatballs flavored with fresh lemongrass and garlic, served with a tangy Vietnamese dipping sauce. This vietnamese-inspired pork ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground pork, minced garlic cloves, finely chopped green onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Vietnamese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork with 1 finely minced white part of lemongrass stalk, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 finely chopped green onions, 2 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  2. Step 2: Form the mixture into 20 small meatballs about 1 inch in diameter.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add meatballs and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, prepare the nuoc cham dipping sauce by whisking together 3 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp water, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 small thinly sliced red chili until sugar dissolves.
  5. Step 5: Serve the warm meatballs on a bed of 2 cups shredded lettuce, garnished with 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves and accompanied by the nuoc cham sauce for dipping.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Vietnamese-Inspired Lemongrass Pork Meatballs with Nuoc Cham?

Vietnamese pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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