Everyone loves meatballs. While Swedish meatballs are rich and creamy and best enjoyed with mash, Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are lighter, tangy and utterly delicious. The dish is the ultimate comfort food – quick to make and packed with flavour. Whether you serve it with a steaming bowl of rice or a crusty Vietnamese baguette, it never fails to hit the spot.
Perfect for a busy weekday or a relaxed weekend meal, this dish delivers on both speed and taste. Let me show you how to make Thịt Viên Sốt Cà Chua in just a few simple steps.
How to make the Vietnamese meatballs
The ingredients
The secret to juicy, tender meatballs lies in the right balance of ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pork mince (12% fat) – This ensures the meatballs stay juicy. You can use leaner mince, but the meatballs might turn out a bit dry.
- Garlic granules – For that warm, aromatic flavour.
- Ground pepper – Adds a hint of spice.
- Tapioca flour – Helps bind the meatballs and keeps them tender.
- 1 large egg – Adds moisture and helps the mixture hold together.
- Fish sauce – A must-have in Vietnamese cooking for its umami depth.
Making the meatballs
Simply mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Then, using a spoon or a cookie scooper, portion out equal amounts of the mixture and roll them into meatballs.
Next, heat a flat pan over medium heat and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Brown the meatballs all over – this should take no longer than 10 minutes. Once golden, remove them from the pan and set them aside in a bowl.
The tomato sauce
A good sauce is what makes this dish so comforting. It’s simple, fresh and packed with flavour.
What you’ll need
- 1 big onion, sliced into wedges.
- A few ripe tomatoes, also sliced into wedges.
- A dash of fish sauce – enhances the tomatoes’ natural sweetness.
- Olive oil – for sauteing.
Cooking the sauce
Heat the pan and add a little more olive oil. Toss in the sliced onions and stir-fry for a minute until fragrant. Then, add the tomato wedges and fish sauce. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes until the tomatoes break down into a thick sauce.
Return the meatballs to the pan, ensuring they are well coated in the sauce. Let everything simmer together for another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.
How to serve Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
This dish is best enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice and a side of greens for a well-balanced meal. Today, I paired ith with stir-fried cabbage, but any green vegetable will do.
If you’re looking for something different, try serving it with a Vietnamese Crusty Baguette – perfect for soaking up the rich, tangy sauce.
Why you’ll love this dish
Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce is the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug. It’s simple, quick to make and bursting with flavour. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family, this dish is guaranteed to become a favourite.
So, give it a go and let me know – how do you like your Thịt Viên Sốt Cà Chua?
Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce (Thịt Viên Sốt Cà Chua)
Description
Vietnamese Meatballs in Tomato Sauce are juicy pork meatballs simmered in a tangy, savoury tomato sauce. Quick to make and bursting with flavour, this comforting dish is perfect with steamed rice or a crusty Vietnamese baguette.
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
For the Tomato Sauce
Instructions
-
Making the Meatballs
- In a large bowl, mix the pork mince, garlic granules, ground pepper, tapioca flour, egg and fish sauce until well covered.
- Use a spoon or cookie scooper to portion the mixture and roll into meatballs.
- Heat a flat pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Brown the meatballs all over for about 10 minutes, then remove and set aside.
-
Make the Tomato Sauce
- Heat the same pan and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Saute the sliced onions for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced tomatoes and fish sauce, stirring well. Simmer for 2 minutes until the tomatoes soften.
- Return the meatballs to the pan, ensuring they are well coated in the sauce.
- Simmer for 5 more minutes, then turn off the heat.
-
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice and a side of greens.
- Enjoy with a Vietnamese crusty baguette to soak up the sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 482.66kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 38.1g59%
- Saturated Fat 11.67g59%
- Cholesterol 136.5mg46%
- Sodium 978.66mg41%
- Potassium 753.26mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 10.22g4%
- Dietary Fiber 2.11g9%
- Sugars 5.02g
- Protein 24.77g50%
- Vitamin A 74.7 IU
- Vitamin C 20.31 mg
- Calcium 51.79 mg
- Iron 1.92 mg
- Vitamin D 0.25 IU
- Vitamin E 2.26 IU
- Vitamin K 16.58 mcg
- Thiamin 0.98 mg
- Riboflavin 0.39 mg
- Niacin 6.47 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.69 mg
- Folate 42.33 mcg
- Vitamin B12 1.04 mcg
- Phosphorus 284.51 mg
- Magnesium 62.38 mg
- Zinc 3.2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
