Thai Pork Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground pork
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemongrass, minced (fresh or paste)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
• 1 lime, cut into wedges

Method

1. 1

   In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, garlic, lemongrass, cilantro, green onions, fish sauce, brown sugar, egg, panko, ginger, and white pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined.

2. 2

   Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches each, using light pressure so they stay tender.

3. 3

   Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with foil.

4. 4

   Heat the vegetable oil in a 9-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the meatballs in batches, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per batch.

   4:00 · Sear meatballs
5. 5

   Transfer the seared meatballs to the baking sheet and bake until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 12 to 15 minutes.

   12:00 · Bake meatballs
6. 6

   Let the meatballs rest for 3 minutes, then serve warm with sweet chili sauce for dipping and lime wedges on the side.

   3:00 · Rest meatballs