Dive into the vibrant flavors of Vietnam with our delightful recipe for Bo Vien, or Vietnamese Beef Balls! These tender, juicy meatballs are not only a delicious addition to your favorite noodle soup but also a fantastic dish on their own, perfect for impressing family and friends. With just a handful of ingredients and a quick 35-minute preparation, you'll be savoring the authentic taste of Vietnam right in your kitchen. Ready to elevate your culinary skills? Let’s get cooking!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/4 cup tapioca starch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 lb of ground beef, 1/4 cup of tapioca starch, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tsp of fish sauce, 1 tsp of sugar, 1/2 tsp of black pepper, and 1/4 cup of water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, tapioca starch, minced garlic, fish sauce, sugar, black pepper, and water. Use your hands or a spatula to mix everything together until well combined. The mixture should be sticky and hold together.
- Once the mixture is well combined, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rest for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the tapioca starch to hydrate.
- After resting, wet your hands with water to prevent sticking. Take a small amount of the beef mixture and roll it into a ball, about the size of a golf ball. Repeat this process until all the mixture is shaped into balls.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, gently drop the beef balls into the water. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot; you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook the beef balls for about 5-7 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are cooked through. You can check for doneness by cutting one in half; it should be no longer pink inside.
- Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the beef balls from the pot and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess water.
- Serve the Bo Vien hot, garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions, and enjoy with a dipping sauce or in a bowl of pho or noodle soup.
Tips
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, opt for fresh garlic and high-quality ground beef. Fresh herbs can also enhance the dish when serving.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Allowing the meat mixture to rest for about 10 minutes helps the flavors meld and improves the texture of the beef balls.
- Wet Your Hands: To prevent the meat from sticking, wet your hands with water before rolling the beef mixture into balls. This will make the process smoother and less messy.
- Cook in Batches: When boiling the beef balls, avoid overcrowding the pot. Cooking in smaller batches ensures even cooking and prevents the meatballs from sticking together.
- Check for Doneness: The beef balls are done when they float to the surface of the water. For extra assurance, cut one in half to check that it’s no longer pink inside.
- Serve with Style: Garnish your Bo Vien with fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions for a pop of color and flavor. Pair them with a zesty dipping sauce or add them to a steaming bowl of pho for a comforting meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 233kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 60mg
