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Meat, South and Southeast Asian

Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce with baguette

Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce, or xíu mại, are pork meatballs simmered in a sweet tomato sauce and served with baguette. For 4 people, it takes 45 minutes at an easy skill level, for €2.90 per person. The trick is to precook the meatballs first, which firms them up before they finish cooking in the sauce.

Tonight, xíu mại, Vietnamese pork meatballs simmered in a sweet tomato sauce, with baguette for mopping up every drop.

Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce with baguette
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.90
Calories per person
520 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Xíu mại are soft pork meatballs, lightly bound with breadcrumbs, that simmer in a sweet, slightly tangy tomato sauce. Fish sauce and raw garlic give them that savory Vietnamese backbone, without any heat or strong spice. Fresh chives add a green note that lightens the whole dish.

This is a recipe kids tend to love, since the meat stays tender and the sauce is mild, never sharp or spicy. You can throw it together on a busy weeknight without stress, or serve it to guests with warm baguette and a few oven-toasted slices for scooping up every bit of sauce.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Ground pork 600 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Shallots 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Onion 1
  • Chives 1 bunch

Pantry

  • Fish sauceoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Breadcrumbsoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 500 g
  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Bakery

  • Baguette 1

Allergens Gluten, Fish, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the ground pork with minced shallots and garlic, fish sauce, sugar, breadcrumbs and pepper, then shape into meatballs.

    Knead the mixture well, it becomes more cohesive and the meatballs turn out smoother.

  2. Steam or poach the meatballs in gently simmering water for 10 minutes. 10 min

    This precooking step firms them up so they hold together in the sauce.

  3. Sauté the onion in oil, add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, and let it reduce. 12 min

    Add a pinch of sugar if the tomato tastes too sharp.

  4. Slide the meatballs into the sauce and let them simmer, covered. 10 min

    Stir gently with a spoon, not a fork, so they stay whole.

  5. Sprinkle with chives and serve with warm baguette.

    Cut the baguette into chunks and toast it for 2 minutes in the oven.

Our tips to get it right

  • Weigh the meatballs before shaping them so they all cook at the same rate, about 40 to 50 grams each.
  • Taste the tomato sauce before adding the meatballs, that's the right moment to adjust salt or sugar.
  • Save a bit of raw chives for the very end, they keep more flavor than chives added too early to the hot sauce.

The variations

  • Swap part of the pork for chopped shrimp for a version closer to traditional xíu mại.
  • For a vegetarian version, use a soy or mushroom based ground substitute and replace the fish sauce with soy sauce.
  • To make it quicker for kids, shape smaller meatballs, they cook faster and are easier to eat with a spoon.

What to serve it with

  • Warm baguette for dipping
  • Steamed white rice
  • Green tea or lemon water

Storage

These tomato meatballs keep 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. They freeze well in their sauce, up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Questions about this dish

Can you make the meatballs ahead of time?

Yes, you can shape and precook the meatballs the day before, then keep them in the fridge. The next day, just make the sauce and simmer them in it.

Why precook the meatballs before adding them to the sauce?

Steaming or poaching firms up the meatballs from the inside. Without this step, they risk falling apart while simmering in the tomato sauce.

Can you replace the fish sauce?

If you don't have any, a lightly salted soy sauce can work in a pinch, though the flavor will be less distinctive. Fish sauce is really what gives this dish its Vietnamese character.

Is this dish good for kids who don't like spicy food?

Yes, the tomato sauce is mild and the fish sauce, used in a small amount, blends into the sauce without any heat. The soft texture of the meatballs also makes this a dish kids often enjoy.

How long does it take to make Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce with baguette?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce with baguette?

About 520 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does Vietnamese pork meatballs in tomato sauce with baguette cost?

About €2.90 per serving, or €11.60 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, fish, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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