Bahn Mi Meatball Subs
I went through a phase where almost every night we ate our dinner in meatball form. I cannot tell you how much I love to make a meatball. It’s such a simple dinner - and it’s done so easily - and cheap.
Bahn Mi is one of my favorite sandwiches ever and turning it into a meatball sub seemed like a natural. Especially because the meat does not need to be marinated - you can just mix all of the meat + flavorings and they become a well flavored meatball in minutes.
This seems like a lot of steps but not one of these steps are hard. Or time consuming. It’s especially handy because you can make up all of the vegetables and meatballs ahead of time - then just heat when it’s time to eat. It’s the perfect dinner for when there are one million sports events, after school activities, etc.
Bahn Mi Meatball Subs
serves 4
1 cup rice vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
2 lb ground pork
1 cup panko
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
1 teaspoon sriracha
1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1/2 jalapeno, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon sriracha
1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
brioche buns
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place the sliced carrots and cucumber in a glass jar. In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, water, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and let simmer until all sugar and salt is dissolved. Pour vinegar mixture over the carrots and cucumber and let sit while you make the rest.
STEP 2
In a bowl, combine the pork, panko, egg, chopped cilantro, sriracha, fish sauce, fresh grated ginger and jalapeño. Mix well with your hands and form into meatballs. Wet hands make the meatballs form more easily. Place the meatballs on a baking sheet and pop in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until browned on top.
STEP 3
Mix together mayo, remaining sriracha, and remaining fish sauce.
STEP 4
When the meatballs are done, top the bun with the cooked meatballs, pickled vegetables, and the mayo sauce. Eat while hot!
HOT TIPS
These meatballs freeze really well. Freeze once they are fully cooked and cooled. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Use your own discretion when adding jalapeño and sriracha. You know how much spice your family likes!
