Banh Mi Meatball Bowls with Pickled Veggie Salad, Sriracha Lime Mayo & Ginger Rice

Combining tender meat, crunchy pickled veggies, fresh cilantro, spicy chilies, and creamy spreads, the Vietnamese banh mi is one of our all-time favorite sandwiches. Here, we take all those same flavors and textures and channel them into some seriously delicious rice bowls. Beef meatballs are infused with citrusy ponzu, then roasted until tender and tossed in a spicy sweet soy and chili glaze. They’re piled over ginger rice with a pickled cucumber and carrot salad, creamy chili lime mayo, and aromatic cilantro. Prepare to be bowled over!

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Adjust rack to top position.

Step 2

Melt 1T butter in sm. pot over med.-high. Add of half ginger; cook (30 sec.) until fragrant. • Stir in rice, ¾ cup water, & pinch salt. Bring to boil; cover & reduce heat to low. Cook (15-18 min.) until tender. • Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Step 3

While rice cooks, in lg. bowl, combine beef, panko, ponzu, garlic, remaining ginger, salt, & pepper. • Form mixture into 10-12 meatballs; place meatballs on a lightly oiled baking sheet & roast (14-16 min.) on top rack until browned & cooked through. (Or cook in air frier sprayed with oil.)

Step 4

Meanwhile, in med. bowl, combine cucumber, carrots, half of cilantro, & lime juice & zest (as much as you like). Season with salt & pepper. • In sm. bowl, combine mayonnaise, a squeeze of lime juice, and up to half the sriracha to taste (save the rest for the next step).

Step 5

• In second large bowl, combine sweet soy glaze with remaining sriracha to taste. • Once meatballs are done, carefully transfer to bowl with sauce; toss until meatballs are thoroughly coated & sauce is just warmed through.

Step 6

Fluff rice with a fork; season with salt & pepper. • Divide rice between bowls; top with meatballs, any remaining sauce from bowl, & pickled veggie salad, drizzled with sriracha lime mayo. Garnish with remaining cilantro & serve with any remaining lime wedges.