When you think of meatballs what is the first thing that comes to your mind? I immediately think about spaghetti and meatballs. I think meatballs are most famous for pairing with spaghetti and since pasta is my favorite food it’s what comes to my mind. The next thing that comes to my mind is Italian Wedding Soup. Why? I worked at an Italian restaurant for 5 years and that was the soup that was always on the menu.
So this week when I found out the Sunday Supper theme was meatballs I knew I had to come up with something better then pasta or soup. I don’t make a ton of meatballs so I started searching for recipes both online and in my cookbooks. Oh, did I mention I wanted the meatballs to be semi-healthy?
I found these Thai meatball Lettuce Wraps and I knew that was the recipe. The meatballs were made with lean ground beef, spices, and coated in Thai sweet chili sauce. They were served in either romaine or Bibb lettuce leaves, and then topped with coleslaw.
If you’ve ever heard me talk about coleslaw you know I’m not a fan. I chose this recipe because the coleslaw was Asian style with soy sauce, sesame seeds, rice vinegar, and mayonnaise. It sounded interesting and much better then traditional coleslaw. Since I like wraps with slaw on top I figured I’d give it a whirl.
The day I ended up making these I was exhausted. I had several students having tough days which in turned caused me to have a tough day and by the time I got home I didn’t want to cook. However, when I looked at the menu I perked up a bit because I was really excited to try this recipe. As a bonus it took less then 30 minutes start to finish so it was an easy meal to make!
These lettuce wraps were amazing. I wish I had made a double batch so we could have had them the next night as well. The meatballs are baked in the oven and they are just slightly spicy, a little sweet, and full of tons of flavor. Then there is the slaw. Folks we have a winner! I could make this slaw and eat it beside my hamburgers or other summer foods because it’s delicious! There isn’t much mayonnaise so it’s not overly creamy. The rice vinegar gives it a slightly sour taste but the soy sauce takes the edge off of it. It tasted so good on top of those meatballs!
My husband and I both loved this meal and I can’t wait to make it again. I simple served it with rice and it was a complete dinner. I had my rice on the side for one wrap and in the lettuce wrap on the second one. I really like them with the rice inside. So if you are feeling adventurous and want to pair your meatballs with something other then pasta make sure you give these a try!
- 1¼ lb. lean ground beef
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 T. ginger, finely minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 T. soy sauce
- ½ t. Sriracha
- 2 T. lime juice
- 2 T. sweet Thai chili sauce
- 1 (14 oz) bag of coleslaw mix
- 10 basil leaves, rolled up and sliced
- 3 T. cilantro, chopped
- ¼ c. rice vinegar
- 2 T. light mayonnaise
- 1 T. soy sauce
- 2 t. sesame seeds
- 1 T. sweet Thai chili sauce
- romaine or Bibb lettuce
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- To make the meatballs, mix together the ground beef, scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, Sriracha, and lime juice in a medium bowl using your hands.
- Using 1 tablespoon of the meatball mixture, form the meatballs and place them on the baking sheet.
- Bake the meatballs for 15-18 minutes, turning over after 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the coleslaw by combining the coleslaw mix, basil, and cilantro in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Combine the rice vinegar, mayonnaise, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sweet Thai chili sauce in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over top of the coleslaw and toss to coat.
- When the meatballs are done transfer them to a medium bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons of Thai chili sauce.
- To assemble to wraps place a lettuce leaf on a plate, top with three meatballs and a few spoonfuls of the coleslaw. Sprinkle with cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice if desired.
Meatball Appetizers:
- Bacon Wrapped Cheesy Meatballs with Maple Balsamic Sauce from The Crumby Cupcake
- Cheesy Stuffed Pepperoni Pizza Meatballs from The Weekend Gourmet
- Crab Cake Mini Meatballs with Tartar Sauce from The Texan New Yorker
- Garlicky Shrimp Meatballs from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Grilled Korean Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
- Saucy Thai Meatballs from Brunch-n-Bites
- Slow Cooker Turkey Appetizer Jelly Meatballs from Noshing With The Nolands
- Stuffed Meatballs from The Freshman Cook
- Tofu Nuggets from NinjaBaker
- Turkey Meatballs in Orange Sauce from Pine Needles In My Salad
- Turkey Meatballs with Spinach and Goat Cheese from Our Good Life
Meatball Soups:
- Russian Meatball Soup from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Main Dish Meatballs:
- All-Purpose Meatballs from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Baked Meatballs with Swiss Chard from And She Cooks
- Bourbon Baked Bean Meatballs from Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Cheesy Italian Meatball Sandwich from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole from Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Deep Dish Skillet Meatball Pizza from From Gate to Plate
- Fightin’ Irish Balls from Monica’s Table
- General Tso’s Chicken Meatballs from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Grandma’s Italian Meatball Subs from Family Around The Table
- Hamballs from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Kefta Mkaouara (Moroccan Meatballs Tagine) from Curious Cuisiniere
- Keftedakia (Greek-style Meatballs) from Tramplingrose
- Kofte-Style Lamb Meatballs in a Tomato-Pepper Sauce from Caroline’s Cooking
- Meatball Subs from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Moroccan Lamb Meatballs in Tomato Sauce from MyGourmetConnection
- Orecchiette and Meatball Skillet Dinner from Momma’s Meals
- Persian Lamb Meatballs from Food Lust People Love
- Portuguese Meatballs in Garlicky Wine Sauce from Family Foodie
- Roasted Vegetable Meatballs from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
- Slow Cooker Meatball Stew from Seduction in the Kitchen
- Slow Cooker Spanish Meatballs from The Chef Next Door
- Sriracha Sesame Turkey Meatballs from Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Sun Dried Tomato & Bulgarian Feta Chicken Meatballs over Lemon-Spinach Orzo From Simply Healthy Family
- Swedish Meatballs (Frikadeller) from Feeding Big
- Swedish Meatballs with Zucchini Ribbons from Angels Home Sweet Homestead
- Sweet & Sour Freezer to Slow-Cooker Meatballs from Wholistic Woman
- Tajine-el-Khoukh (Algerian Stuffed Peaches) from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Thai Meatball Lettuce Wraps from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Thai Spaghetti and Meatballs from Kitchen Gidget
- Thai Red Curry Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce from kimchi MOM
- Ultimate Pasta & Meatballs from MealDiva
Meatball Desserts:
- Brownie Meatballs with Frosting Spaghetti from Pies and Plots
Plus Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and More Amazing Meatball Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement
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Sue Lau says
I love Thai meatballs! How perfect to have them as lettuce wraps!
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
The perfect recipe, easy peasy and delIcious
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
Great idea, and I like the sound of that slaw, too.
Tara says
Now that is a healthy bite, great recipe!!
Laura Dembowski says
These are so my kind of meatballs! I wish I had some right now!!
Meghan says
These sound really good
Tammi @Momma's Meals says
I love the thai sweet chili sauce- fabulous idea and why not in a lettuce wrap right??
HezziD says
Me too, it’s so good. As for the lettuce wrap, why not is correct!