Coconut Pork Meatballs with Sweet Rice and Roasted Green Beans

These pork meatballs are anything but ordinary. Coated in a luscious coconut-chili-lime sauce and served over sweet coconut rice, they bring a burst of Thai-inspired flavor to your dinner table. Tender roasted green beans and a sprinkle of crunchy peanuts add texture and color, making this dish a complete meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

Perfect for a busy weeknight, this recipe uses simple ingredients to create something truly special. The meatballs are seasoned with fresh ginger and scallions, then roasted until golden. Meanwhile, the sauce comes together in minutes, and the rice cooks up fluffy and fragrant. Top it all with a squeeze of lime for a bright finish.

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Ingredients

1 thumb GingerView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit ScallionsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Jasmine RiceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5.07 ounce Coconut MilkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Ground PorkView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 cup Panko BreadcrumbsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Green BeansView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 ounce Sweet Thai Chili SauceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce PeanutsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 teaspoon Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 teaspoon SugarView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce. Place rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse until water runs clear. Peel and mince or grate ginger. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens; mince whites. Zest and quarter lime.
2. Thoroughly shake coconut milk before opening. In a small pot, combine ¼ cup coconut milk, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon butter, ½ teaspoon sugar, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then stir in rice, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, 15-18 minutes. Keep covered off heat for at least 10 minutes.
3. While rice cooks, in a large bowl, combine pork, panko, ginger, scallion whites, salt (¾ teaspoon), and pepper. Form into 10-12 meatballs, about 1½ inches each.
4. Place meatballs on one side of a lightly oiled baking sheet. Toss green beans on empty side with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on top rack until meatballs are cooked through and green beans are browned and tender, 14-16 minutes.
5. When meatballs and green beans have 5 minutes left, combine chili sauce with remaining coconut milk in a large pan; heat over medium-high. Bring to a simmer and cook until reduced by about half, 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat. Stir in a squeeze of lime juice to taste.
6. Fluff rice with a fork; stir in lime zest and season with salt and pepper. Add meatballs to pan with coconut chili sauce; toss to coat. Divide rice between bowls; top with meatballs and green beans. Spoon any remaining sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle with peanuts and scallion greens. Serve with remaining lime wedges.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Large bowl

Winco , 8-Quart, Stainless Steel (MXB-800Q)View on AmazonFox Run Brands 2.75-Quart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl, 9 x 9 x 4 inches, MetallicView on AmazonMfacoy 2 Pack Salad Bowl, 8 inch 60 oz Large Serving Bowl Set, Deep Bowl for Kitchen, White Ceramic Bowl Set for Soup, Cereal, Ramen, Pasta, Salad, Dishwasher & Microwave Safe, Easy CleanView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use ground turkey instead of pork?

Yes, ground turkey works well as a substitute. Just be careful not to overcook, as turkey can dry out more quickly than pork.

Is there a substitute for coconut milk?

You can use full-fat coconut cream or a dairy-free alternative like cashew cream, but the flavor and texture will change slightly.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely. Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and ensure your sweet Thai chili sauce is gluten-free.