Vietnamese Style Beef Meatballs, or Bò Viên, are a delightful and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. These meatballs are crafted with a harmonious blend of succulent ground beef, fragrant spices, and are often accompanied by a classic dipping sauce, known as nuoc cham.
What are the components?
1. Succulent Ground Beef:
- The foundation of these meatballs is high-quality ground beef, which provides a juicy and tender texture. The use of lean ground beef ensures a balance between richness and a clean, meaty flavor.
2. Aromatic Spices:
- Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its use of aromatic herbs and spices. In the case of these meatballs, you’ll find ingredients like chopped green onions, minced garlic, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and black pepper. Each element contributes to the depth of flavor, creating a well-balanced and savory profile.
3. Cooking Method:
- The recipe suggests baking the meatballs in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 18 minutes. This method yields golden-brown meatballs with a slightly crisp exterior and ensures even cooking. Baking is a healthier alternative to frying and simplifies the cooking process.
4. Classic Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce:
- The meatballs are traditionally served with a side of nuoc cham, a quintessential Vietnamese dipping sauce. This sauce combines fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, minced garlic, and Thai bird chilies, creating a tantalizing blend of sweet, savory, sour, and spicy flavors. Some variations may include shredded carrots or daikon radish for added texture.
5. Versatile Serving Options:
- Vietnamese Style Beef Meatballs are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. They can be served as appetizers, paired with rice or rice noodles, or even incorporated into banh mi sandwiches. The flexibility of serving options allows for a personalized dining experience.
6. Quick and Easy Preparation:
- One of the standout features of this recipe is its simplicity and efficiency. With a preparation time of less than 30 minutes, these meatballs are accessible for home cooks with varying levels of expertise. The straightforward steps make it an ideal choice for a quick and flavorful meal.
Vietnamese Style Beef Meatballs
Vietnamese Style Beef Meatballs, or Bò Viên, are a delightful and flavorful dish that embodies the essence of Vietnamese cuisine. These meatballs are crafted with a harmonious blend of succulent ground beef, fragrant spices, and are often accompanied by a classic dipping sauce, known as nuoc cham.
Equipment
- 1 Sheet Pan
Ingredients
For the Meatballs:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs or cooked and cooled rice (short-grain rice works well)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/8 cup shallots, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp minced lemongrass usually found in the frozen section of any asian grocery store, or can use fresh
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for coating hands while shaping)
For the Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham)
- 1/4 cup fish sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 Thai Bird chilies, finely chopped adjust to your spice preference
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp shredded carrots or daikon radish for added flavour and texture Optional
For Serving
- Vietnamese Rice Vermicelli, cooked according to package instructions
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat Oven to 400F (200C)
Prepare the Meatball Mixture
- In a large bowl, combine ground beef, breadcrumbs/rice, chopped green onions, lemongrass, minced garlic, shallots, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and egg.
- Mix the ingredients well until everything is evenly incorporated.
Shape the Meatballs
- Coat your hands with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Take small portions of the meat mixture and roll them into 1-inch meatballs. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the Meatballs
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
- Bake the meatballs for approximately 18 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden brown. Turn them halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
Prepare the Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix together fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, water, garlic, lime juice, Thai bird chilies (if using any), and or shredded carrots or daikon.
Cook Rice Noodles
- Cook rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Serve
- Once the meatballs are baked, transfer them to a serving plate.
- Arrange a portion of rice noodles on each serving plate. Place the meatballs on top of the rice noodles.
- Drizzle the dipping sauce over the meatballs and noodles.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and sliced green onions.
Notes
This variation adds a delightful element to the dish, offering a combination of savory meatballs and tender rice noodles. Enjoy your meal! I'm working with Alberta Beef Producers to prepare and try new and interesting recipes that feature beef this season!
Let me know how you enjoy this recipe in the comments below! Stay tuned for more recipes!
xx, CWC
