Banh Mi-Inspired Meatball Bowl

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or making a quick weeknight dinner, this Banh Mi-Inspired Meatball Bowl is a winner. It brings all the flavors of a Vietnamese banh mi into an easy, delicious, and satisfying bowl. Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear your twist on this recipe!
Recipe
A blue plate features a twist on banh mi with white rice topped with savory meatballs, avocado slices, carrot strips, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Two lime halves add zest nearby. A small wooden bowl of sesame seeds, alongside a fork and knife, complete the scene on a marble surface.

About this recipe

If you love ( I am a massive fan of them) the bold flavors of a classic banh mi sandwich but want something a little lighter (and bowl-friendly), this Banh Mi-Inspired Meatball Bowl is for you! Think juicy, umami-packed meatballs, a tangy-crunchy quick-pickled salad, and a spicy-sweet sauce—all coming together in one delicious, easy-to-make meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make – The air fryer does all the work for the meatballs, making them crispy on the outside and tender inside. The instructions are on the recipe card if you want to bake them or pan-fry them.
  • Packed with flavor – A perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and umami flavors. And topped with a quick pickled veggies situation!
  • Meal-prep friendly – Make a batch of meatballs and sauce for quick meals during the week.
  • Customizable – Serve over rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps!

Ingredients & Substitutions

  • Impossible Meat – You can swap this for any plant-based ground meat alternative, such as ground turkey, pork, or ground chicken.
  • Soy Sauce – Use tamari for a gluten-free option, or coconut aminos for a lower-sodium alternative.
  • Sriracha – Adjust to taste or substitute with another hot sauce like chili garlic sauce or gochujang for extra depth.
  • Maple Syrup – Can be replaced with honey (if not vegan) or agave syrup for a similar sweetness.
  • Rice Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar works in a pinch, but rice vinegar has the best balance of acidity.
  • Sesame Oil – Adds a rich, nutty flavor, but you can use olive oil if necessary.
  • Fresh Mint – Swap with cilantro, Thai basil, or even a mix of fresh herbs for added freshness.
  • Carrots & Cucumber – These veggies add crunch, but you can also use radishes, shredded cabbage, or bell peppers.

From Home Cook to home cook Tips

  • Double the batch – These meatballs freeze beautifully! Make extra and freeze for a quick weeknight dinner.
  • Shortcut the pickling – If you’re short on time, a 5-minute soak for the veggies will still give you great flavor.
  • Rice options – Jasmine rice works great, but try brown rice or quinoa if you want extra fiber.
  • Balance the spice – If you’re sensitive to spice, start with less sriracha in the sauce and add more to taste.
  • Crispier meatballs? – If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 400ºF for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • Use what you have – No mint? Try cilantro or Thai basil for a fresh touch!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
A blue plate features a twist on banh mi with white rice topped with savory meatballs, avocado slices, carrot strips, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Two lime halves add zest nearby. A small wooden bowl of sesame seeds, alongside a fork and knife, complete the scene on a marble surface.

Banh Mi-Inspired Meatball Bowl

Alejandra Graf
Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or making a quick weeknight dinner, this Banh Mi-Inspired Meatball Bowl is a winner. It brings all the flavors of a Vietnamese banh mi into an easy, delicious, and satisfying bowl. Let me know if you try it—I’d love to hear your twist on this recipe!
5 de 1 voto
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Meatballs

  • 1 package Impossible meat
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs or panko

Sauce

Pickled Salad

For Serving

  • Fresh mint
  • Cooked rice or noodles

Instructions
 

Meatballs

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF.
  • In a bowl, mix together the Impossible meat, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sriracha, bread crumbs and kosher salt until well combined.
  • Form into small meatballs, about 1-inch in diameter.
  • Place the meatballs in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Air fry for 8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sriracha, maple syrup, and sesame oil until smooth.

Pickled Salad

  • In a mixing bowl, toss the carrots, cucumber, and scallions with salt and sugar.
  • Add rice vinegar and mix well.
  • Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes while preparing the other components.

Assembling the Bowl

  • Start with a base of rice or noodles in a serving bowl.
  • Add the cooked meatballs on top.
  • Drizzle generously with the spicy-sweet sauce.
  • Top with the quick-pickled salad for a refreshing crunch.
  • Garnish with fresh mint and serve immediately.

Notes

Meatballs (Baking Method)

  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  3. Prepare the meatballs as directed.
  4. Place them on the baking sheet, leaving space between each.
  5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
  6. In the last 5 minutes, you can brush the meatballs with the sauce for added flavor.

Meatballs (Pan Cooking Method)

  1. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil.
  2. Place the meatballs in the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through.
  3. Pour the sauce over the meatballs, toss to coat, and turn off the heat.
  4. Let the meatballs sit in the pan for 1 minute to absorb the sauce before serving.

information

Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Alejandra Graf
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