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Flavorful Thai Meatballs

Featured in Nibbles and bites when hunger strikes.

Quick and easy Thai-style beef meatballs with red curry, fresh ginger, and coriander. Bursting with Asian-inspired flavors, ready to impress.
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alicia in the kitchen
Updated on Sat, 08 Mar 2025 22:17:59 GMT
Golden meatballs garnished with green onions and coriander, arranged in a decorative bowl. Pin it
Golden meatballs garnished with green onions and coriander, arranged in a decorative bowl. | Tastyhush.com

Thai meatballs hold a treasured place in traditional Asian cooking. These fragrant bites capture the essence of street food, with aromatic spices and fresh herbs creating an authentic taste of Thailand right in your own kitchen. This recipe brings those vibrant market flavors home.

A Balanced, Flavorful Dish

These meatballs offer the perfect balance of protein and aromatic spices. The combination of fresh ginger and herbs creates a light yet satisfying meal. Natural digestive benefits come from the warming spices, making this a nourishing and wholesome dish.

Key Ingredients

  • 400g lean ground beef
  • 1 fresh shallot
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 knob fresh ginger
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon red curry paste
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon breadcrumbs
  • 2-3 green onions
  • Cooking oil

Preparation Method

  1. Finely mince the shallot, garlic, and ginger
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, minced aromatics, egg, and breadcrumbs
  3. Mix thoroughly until well combined
  4. Form into evenly-sized meatballs using clean hands
  5. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
  6. Cook meatballs until golden brown and cooked through
  7. Garnish with crispy fried green onions before serving
Un bol de boulettes de viande garnies d'oignons verts, servies avec des piques en bois. Pin it
Un bol de boulettes de viande garnies d'oignons verts, servies avec des piques en bois. | Tastyhush.com

Chef's Tips

For best results, chill the formed meatballs for 30 minutes before cooking. This helps them keep their shape and allows the flavors to develop. Adjust the amount of curry paste according to your preferred level of spiciness. The recipe is flexible and can be customized to taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make sure the meatballs stay soft and juicy?
Avoid overmixing the meat when combining ingredients, as this can make the texture tough. Handle them lightly when shaping.
→ Can I prep these meatballs in advance?
Absolutely. Shape them and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking. You can also freeze them raw for later meals.
→ What's a good dipping sauce for these meatballs?
A Thai sweet chili sauce works great. If you'd like, try a peanut dipping sauce or a homemade spicy soy sauce.
→ Can the beef be swapped out?
Definitely! Substitute with ground pork, a pork-beef mix, or chicken for a lighter option.
→ How can I make this a full meal?
Serve alongside jasmine rice with stir-fried veggies. You could also try them in a sandwich or over a salad with noodles.

Spicy Thai Balls

These beef meatballs are packed with bold Thai flavors like curry, fresh spices, and herbs. A delightful dish that brings the taste of Southeast Asia to your table.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Alicia

Category: Appetizers

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Thai

Yield: 4 Servings (About 20 meatballs)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 A single shallot.
02 One clove of garlic.
03 2 centimeters of fresh ginger.
04 A handful of cilantro leaves, chopped.
05 400 grams of ground beef.
06 A tablespoon of red curry paste.
07 One egg.
08 One tablespoon of breadcrumbs.
09 Two spring onions.
10 Some oil for frying.

Instructions

Step 01

Finely chop the shallot and crush the garlic clove. Peel the ginger and grate it. Chop up the cilantro leaves into small pieces.

Step 02

In a large mixing bowl, throw in the ground beef. Add the chopped shallot, crushed garlic, grated ginger, cilantro, curry paste, egg, and breadcrumbs into the bowl. Combine everything really well.

Step 03

Shape the mixture into ping-pong ball-sized meatballs.

Step 04

Splash some oil into a large pan and let it heat up. Cook the meatballs in the pan until they're golden brown.

Step 05

Slice the spring onions and toss them in the pan for a quick fry.

Step 06

Serve the hot meatballs with your favorite spicy sauce.

Notes

  1. You can serve these meatballs as a starter or with rice as the main dish.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big mixing bowl.
  • A large pan.
  • A grater for the ginger.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Gluten (breadcrumbs).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 280
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 24 g