Massaman Pork Meatballs in Coconut Curry Sauce
Tender herby pork meatballs simmered in a sweet-spiced massaman sauce with potatoes. A new take on meatballs and gravy.
Made with Massaman curry paste. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.34 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
In a bowl, mix the pork mince, egg, breadcrumbs, coriander, 30 g of your ready made Massaman curry paste (see the base recipe) and a pinch of salt. Shape into 20 small meatballs.
- 2
Heat half the oil in a wide pan and brown the meatballs in batches for 5 minutes, turning, then set aside.
5 min - 3
Fry the onion in the pan for 4 minutes, then add the remaining paste and fry for 2 minutes.
6 min - 4
Pour in the coconut milk, water, tamarind, fish sauce and palm sugar. Add the potatoes and simmer for 10 minutes.
10 min - 5
Return the meatballs and simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the meatballs are cooked through with no pink.
20 min - 6
Cook the rice following the packet instructions, then serve the meatballs and sauce over the rice.
Tips
- Wet your hands before shaping to stop the mix sticking.
- Chill the shaped meatballs for 15 minutes for neater browning.
- Meatballs are done at 75 degrees C in the centre, or when cut open there is no pink.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use beef or chicken mince?
Yes, either works. Chicken mince is softer, so keep the shaped balls chilled before cooking.
Can I make them egg free?
Leave out the egg and use 2 tablespoons of extra breadcrumbs plus a splash of coconut milk to bind.
Can I bake the meatballs?
Yes, bake at {t200} for 18 minutes before adding to the sauce.
More made with massaman curry paste
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.