Sushi Bowls

Homemade Sushi Bowls are a fast, easy, and inexpensive alternative to eating out. Get your sushi fix without spending a fortune!

The post Sushi Bowls appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Confession: I’ve been spending way too much on sushi lately. But I don’t have the skill to make beautifully rolled sushi at home. So when that sushi craving hits, I just whip up an easy sushi bowl instead. It’s got all of the components of California roll piled into a bowl instead. They’re not fancy, for sure, but they’ll crush that sushi craving without leaving you $30 in the hole.

Close up overhead view of a sushi bowl with sriracha mayo.

What is in a Sushi Bowl?

I kept this sushi bowl as simple as possible to keep the price low and to make it easy to prepare, but they’re very customizable! My sushi bowls had seasoned sushi rice, a few crunchy vegetables (carrot and cucumber), nori (seaweed), and crab stick. You can jazz these sushi bowls up and make them fancier as your budget allows.

Here are some other fun ingredients to add to sushi bowls:

For Best Results, use short grain rice

Using short grain rice is really important for getting that classic sushi flavor and texture. Those little grains have a high starch content and a very different texture than long grain white rice. Packaged “sushi rice” carries a hefty price tag at regular grocery stores and can be quite expensive, so I suggest checking bulk bins, or better yet making a special trip to an Asian grocer.

Another option is to use Calrose rice, which is fairly common in U.S. grocery stores. Calrose is a medium grain starchy rice grown in California that still works really well for sushi bowls.

What is Imitation Crab?

Imitation crab is what you’ll find in California rolls and a lot of other Americanized sushi. It’s real white fish that has been shaped and flavored to resemble crab meat, but at a much lower price. You can usually find it in stick form, chunks, or flaked. It’s pretty tasty, IMHO, and very affordable!

Close up side view of a sushi bowl.

Seaweed options

Adding a bit of nori (dried seaweed) really goes a long way toward making this bowl taste like real sushi. Luckily, “nori snacks” have become really popular the last few years. They are just smaller single-serving-sized packages of nori rather than the larger packs you’d typically use to roll a lot of sushi. I sliced up a few small squares of nori snack for each bowl and, boom! Done.

How to Store Sushi Bowls

These sushi bowls work really well for meal prep and stay good in the refrigerator for about four days. You definitely want to cool the rice as quickly as possible after cooking and before packing your sushi bowls so that the warm rice doesn’t wilt the vegetables. So after seasoning the rice, spread it out on a baking sheet or in a casserole dish then refrigerate until cooled before packing the sushi bowls into meal prep containers.

Overhead view of a sushi bowl being eaten with chopsticks.
Completed sushi bowl from above on a dark background.
Print

Sushi Bowls

Sushi Bowls are a fast, easy, and inexpensive alternative to your favorite sushi bar. Get your sushi fix without spending a fortune. 
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American, Asian
Total Cost $8.82 recipe / $2.21 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 642kcal

Ingredients

SUSHI RICE

  • 2 cups short grain white rice $1.36
  • 2 cups water $0.00
  • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar $0.27
  • 2 Tbsp sugar $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05

TOPPINGS

  • 8 oz imitation crab $2.99
  • 1 carrot $0.19
  • 1 cucumber $0.59
  • 1 avocado $1.50
  • 1 pack nori snack $1.15
  • 1 Tbsp sesame seeds $0.18

SRIRACHA MAYO (optional)

  • 4 Tbsp mayonnaise $0.30
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha $0.22

Instructions

  • Place the uncooked short grain rice in a medium sauce pot. Rinse the rice well and drain off as much water as possible.
  • Add 2 cups of fresh water, place a lid on the pot, and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest, undisturbed and with the lid in place, for 10 additional minutes.
  • To prepare the sushi rice dressing, combine the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. If needed, microwave for 15-30 seconds to help the sugar dissolve.
  • While the rice is cooking, prepare the toppings. Shred or chop the imitation crab, shred or julienne the carrot, slice the avocado, slice the cucumber, and break the nori snacks into smaller pieces. Stir together the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl.
  • When the rice is finished cooking, sprinkle about 1/4 of the vinegar dressing over the rice, then gently fold or stir the rice to combine. Repeat the process until all of the vinegar dressing has been incorporated into the rice.
  • To build your sushi bowls, place about 1 cup of the seasoned sushi rice in a bowl, then top with crab stick, carrot, cucumber, avocado, a few pieces of nori, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a drizzle of the sriracha mayo.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Bowl | Calories: 642kcal | Carbohydrates: 103g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 20g | Sodium: 1185mg | Fiber: 8g

How to Make Sushi Bowls – Step by Step Photos

Rice being poured into a sauce pot.

Place 2 cups of the uncooked rice in a medium sauce pot. Rinse the rice well and drain off as much of the excess water as possible. Add 2 cups fresh water, place a lid on the pot, then bring the water up to a boil over high heat. Once it reaches a full boil, turn the heat down to low and let the rice simmer for 15 minutes (make sure it’s simmering the whole time). After 15 minutes, turn the heat off and let the rice rest, lid in place, for an additional five minutes. 

Rice vinegar, sugar, and salt being stirred in a small bowl, the bottle of vinegar on the side.

While the rice is cooking, mix up the rice seasoning. This seasoning gives the rice its characteristic sushi flavor and glossy appearance. Combine 2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 2 Tbsp white sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved. If needed, microwave the mixture for 15-30 seconds to help dissolve the sugar.

Seasoning being drizzled over the rice in the pot.

Sprinkle about 1/4 of the vinegar seasoning over the rice. Gently fold or stir the rice to distribute the dressing. Repeat this process until all of the dressing has been incorporated and the rice appears slightly glossy. Make sure not gently fold, rather than stir, the rice to prevent it from becoming mushy.

Prepped sushi bowl toppings.

While the rice is cooking, prepare the rest of the sushi bowl toppings. Shred one carrot (use a large-holed cheese grater), chop one cucumber, slice one avocado and chop or break up 8oz. of imitation crab into small pieces.

Imitation crab and nori snacks.

Imitation crab is basically just white fish that has been shaped and flavored to resemble crab. You can usually find this in the seafood department or frozen seafood department of the grocery store. Nori snacks can usually be found in the International aisle of larger grocery stores. They’re usually around $2 per pack and contain several squares each!

Sriracha mayo being stirred in a small bowl.

Prepare a little sriracha mayo to go on the sushi bowls… Simply stir together 4 Tbsp mayo and 2 Tbsp sriracha. NOM.

Sriracha mayo being drizzled over the sushi bowl.

Finally build your sushi bowls by adding about 1 cup of the seasoned sushi rice, then topping with some of imitation crab, sliced avocado, shredded carrot, sliced cucumbers, a few pieces of nori, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and a delicious drizzle of sriracha mayo.

Completed sushi bowl from above on a dark background.

Seriously, SO GOOD.

Close up of a bite of sushi bowl being held by chopsticks.

Bonus: sushi bowls are a little harder to pick up with chopsticks than rolled sushi, so you can’t inhale them quite as quickly. Take time and savor that flavor. ;)

The post Sushi Bowls appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

Pollo Guisado is a hearty Puerto Rican chicken stew that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and ready to devour in a little under an hour.

The post Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Warm your bones and fill your belly with Pollo Guisado, a hearty Puerto Rican chicken stew that’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and ready to devour in about an hour. Granted, we eat this year-round on my little island, where it rarely dips below 70 degrees. But it’s especially delightful when the weather turns chilly and you’re looking for a hearty meal to make you feel all sorts of toasty.

Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a yellow bowl with a spoon in it.

What Is Pollo Guisado?

Pollo Guisado (pronounced puh-yuh gee-sah-duh) is a Puerto Rican stew made up of braised chicken, potatoes, carrots, and olives in a tomato-based broth. Like most savory dishes from the island, its deep flavor comes from sofrito, a blend of peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro. The unctious chicken, briny olives, and subtle sweetness of the carrots make a truly perfect bite.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE THE CHicken?

While this is a chicken stew, feel free to use any protein that benefits from a long braise. You can substitute chicken with chuck roast, top round, or even steak. Using these cuts will lengthen your cooking time by thirty or so minutes. If you are vegetarian or vegan, use a vegetable-based broth and substitute the chicken with mushrooms. Brown them, just as you would the chicken, which helps them release moisture and develop big flavors.

Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a white Dutch oven with a ladle above it.

What To Do If Your Broth Won’t Thicken

If you find your broth to be entirely too watery at the end of the cook, here are a few tips to help you thicken it.

  • Uncover the pot and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allowing the steam to escape will reduce the broth and thicken it.
  • Break up some of the potatoes. The starches will naturally thicken the broth.
  • If all else fails, use a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Add it to the stew, then bring the stew to a boil for 1 minute while continuously stirring.

What To Serve With POllO GuiSAdo

On the island, this stew is traditionally served over white rice. But feel free to break with tradition and serve it with:

Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a white Dutch oven with a spoon in it.
Side shot of Guisado de Pollo in a yellow bowl with a spoon in it.
Print

Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew)

Warm your bones and fill your belly with Pollo Guisado, a hearty Puerto Rican chicken stew packed with flavor that's easy to make and ready to devour in under an hour.
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Puerto Rican
Total Cost ($9.37 recipe / $2.34 serving)
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 4 2 cup servings
Calories 470kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Dry the chicken thighs thoroughly with paper towels. Cut into 2-inch cubes. Season with Adobo.
  • Set a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once it has warmed, add the chicken in one layer and brown.
  • Once the chicken has browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Add the onion to the pot, and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add the sofrito and tomato sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it is thick and bubbly.
  • Add the sazón, bay leaves, oregano, olives, potatoes, carrots, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Add the chicken back into the pot. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
  • Take the stew off the heat, sample it, and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*A packet of sazón contains about 1.5 teaspoons of sazón. If you cannot source sazón use:
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/3 teaspoon ground annatto
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground oregano

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups | Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 843mg | Fiber: 6g
Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a white Dutch oven with a spoon in it.

How to Make Pollo Guisado – Step by Step Photos

Dry the 1.5 pounds of chicken thighs thoroughly with paper towels. Then dice them into 2-inch cubes. Finally, season the chicken with 2 teaspoons of adobo. (Helpful hint: freeze the chicken thighs for about 15 minutes to make them easier to dice.)

Set a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the 2 tablespoons of oil to the pre-heated Dutch oven. Once it has warmed, add the diced chicken in one layer. Do not crowd the pot. Brown in batches if necessary. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside. 

Next, add the diced yellow onion to the pot and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Then add the 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the 1/2 cup of sofrito and 8 ounces of tomato sauce to the pot.

Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it is thick and bubbly. If you run a spoon through it, the sauce should remain divided.

Add the packet of sazón, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 2 bay leaves, 1 cup of diced potatoes, 1 cup of sliced carrots, 1/4 cup of manzanilla olives, and 3 cups of chicken stock into the pot.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the chicken back into the pot. Lower the heat, cover the pot and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. If the stew hasn’t thickened, break a few of the potatoes apart with a fork, and keep the stew simmering with the lid off until it thickens.

Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a white Dutch oven with a spoon in it.

When it is off the heat, sample the soup and add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Garnish with cilantro (optional) and serve with white rice (optional). As we say in Puerto Rico, buen provecho!

Overhead shot of Guisado de Pollo in a white Dutch oven with a spoon in it.

The post Pollo Guisado (Puerto Rican Chicken Stew) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Sausage & Corn Chowder with Toasted Pepitas

This hearty corn chowder features flavorful Italian sausage, sweet corn, and tender potatoes in a thick and creamy base, topped with some sweet and salty toasted pepitas for the perfect finishing crunch. It might not look like much, but don’t let its humble appearance fool you: this hearty chowder is ridiculously flavorful and perfectly satisfying […]

The post Sausage & Corn Chowder with Toasted Pepitas first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

This hearty corn chowder features flavorful Italian sausage, sweet corn, and tender potatoes in a thick and creamy base, topped with some sweet and salty toasted pepitas for the perfect finishing crunch.

It might not look like much, but don’t let its humble appearance fool you: this hearty chowder is ridiculously flavorful and perfectly satisfying on a crisp fall night.

Two speckled ceramic bowls with Sausage & Corn Chowder, vintage spoons on the side with a bowl of toasted pepitas and loose cilantro leaves.

We’re due for our first freeze tonight, and while I’m lamenting the loss of my outdoor herbs, I am decidedly excited about the fact that it’s officially soup season.

Taylor threw this recipe together on a whim last week, using up some sad peppers and half a bag of frozen corn, and both of us were shocked at how delicious it turned out. Between this and his ultimate turkey stew, I think it’s safe to say he’s the soup expert in our house. I, on the other hand, will stay in my lane and stick to cookies, thank you very much.

It might not look like much, but don’t let its humble appearance fool you: this hearty chowder is ridiculously flavorful and ultra-satisfying. The main flavor comes from the Italian pork sausage, 1/2 a pound really goes a long way when it comes to flavor. Paired with sweet corn kernels, tender Yukon gold potatoes, and a splash of white wine, it comes together as a beautifully thick and creamy base, but still with plenty of chunky bits.

Top it with some chopped fresh cilantro and a handful of sweet and salty pepitas (my favorite part!) for a bit of crunch that makes this soup extra special.

(more…)

Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup

This Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup is a medley of colors, flavors, and textures all in a hearty and inexpensive bowl. It’s vegan, too!

The post Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I’m so all about the hearty soups and stews this time of year and I’ve been kind of obsessed lately with using coconut to make savory soups and stews creamy. This Creamy Lentil and Vegetable Soup started out as a lentil mushroom soup, but then I decided to toss in the extra veggies I had in my fridge. The end result was a super cozy bowl full of colors, flavors, and textures that made all of my Autumn cottage-core dreams come true. 🥰

Close up overhead view of a bowl of creamy lentil vegetable soup with bread on the side.

What Kind oF lentils to Use

I used quick-cooking brown (or green, depending on where you are) lentils for this recipe. If you’re unsure of the type of lentil you have, check the cooking instructions on the package. You’ll want a variety that cooks with about 20 minutes of simmering with no soaking required.

I don’t suggest using red or yellow lentils for this recipe because they break down very quickly when cooked and you’ll end up with a texture closer to mashed potatoes than soup in the end.

Coconut Alternatives

I used full-fat coconut milk (the kind in a can, not the kind meant for use as a dairy milk alternative) for this soup because it’s an easy way to make soups ultra-rich and creamy without using dairy. If you’re not trying to avoid dairy you can simply use a splash or two of heavy cream. OR, if you want to make this a simply brothy soup, just skip the cream all together!

What to Serve with Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup

This creamy, cozy soup is just begging for some good bread for dipping. Whip up a batch of some homemade no-knead bread or soda bread and you’ll be in heaven.

How to Store

To store this soup, first divide it into single-serving portions to facilitate quicker cooling. Store the soup in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or once chilled, transfer to the freezer for longer storage (up to three months). You can reheat the soup in the microwave or in a sauce pot over medium-low heat, stirring often.

Overhead view of a pot of creamy lentil vegetable soup
Close up side view of a bowl of creamy lentil vegetable soup.
Print

Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup

This Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup is a medley of colors, flavors, and textures all in a hearty and inexpensive bowl. It's vegan, too! 
Course Dinner, Lunch, Soup
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.19 recipe / $2.30 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 1.5 cups each
Calories 522kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 16 oz. mushrooms $3.98
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
  • 3 carrots $0.57
  • 3 ribs celery $0.55
  • 1 yellow onion $0.37
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp rubbed sage $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried rosemary $0.05
  • 1 cup brown lentils $0.61
  • 3 cups vegetable broth $0.39
  • 1 13.5oz. can full-fat coconut milk $2.29
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.02

Instructions

  • Rinse the mushrooms to remove any dirt or debris, then slice them into thick slices.
  • Add the mushrooms to a large soup pot or Dutch oven along with the cooking oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté the mushrooms over medium heat until the mushrooms have released all of their water and it has evaporated out of the pot.
  • Meanwhile, dice the carrots, celery, and onion, and mince the garlic. Add the carrot, celery, onion, and garlic to the soup pot along with the thyme, sage, and rosemary. Continue to sauté the vegetables until the onions are soft and translucent.
  • Add the lentils and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir to combine, then place a lid on the pot and turn the heat up to high. Allow the soup to come to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
  • Once the lentils are tender, add the coconut milk, stir to combine, and let it simmer for another five minutes.
  • Finally, taste the soup and add salt and pepper to taste. We used about ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Enjoy the soup hot with bread for dipping!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 1076mg | Fiber: 20g
Close up side view of a bowl of creamy lentil vegetable soup.

How to Make Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup – Step by Step Photos

Sliced mushrooms in a soup pot.

Rinse 16oz. mushrooms to remove any dirt or debris, then cut them into thick slices. Add the sliced mushrooms to a large soup pot along with 2 Tbsp cooking oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Sautéed mushrooms in the pot.

Sauté the mushrooms over medium heat until they’ve released all of their water and the water has evaporated from the bottom of the pot.

Chopped vegetables added to the pot.

While the mushrooms are sautéing, dice three carrots, dice three ribs of celery, dice one yellow onion, and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic to the pot along with ½ tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp rubbed sage, and ½ tsp rosemary.

Sautéed vegetables and herbs in the pot.

Continue to sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.

Lentils in the pot and vegetable broth being poured in.

Add one cup of uncooked brown lentils to the pot along with three cups of vegetable broth. Stir to combine.

Simmered soup in the pot.

Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to high to bring the soup up to a boil, then immediately turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the soup simmer over medium-low for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.

Coconut milk being poured into the soup.

Add one 13.5oz. can of full-fat coconut milk to the soup and stir to combine. Let the soup simmer for an additional five minutes.

Finished soup in the pot with a spoon.

Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to taste. Remember, adding a bit of salt helps amplify the flavors in the soup. I added about ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper.

Overhead view of a bowl of creamy lentil vegetable soup with a piece of bread.

Serve your delicious creamy lentil vegetable soup hot with some hearty bread for dipping!

The post Creamy Lentil Vegetable Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Italian Lentil Soup

This cozy Italian-inspired lentil soup recipe is easy to make, full of feel-good ingredients, and always so flavorful and comforting. This Italian lentil soup is one of those back-pocket recipes I find myself defaulting to again and again because it calls for super-basic ingredients that we almost always have on hand. And on chilly nights […]

This cozy Italian-inspired lentil soup recipe is easy to make, full of feel-good ingredients, and always so flavorful and comforting.

Italian Lentil Soup

This Italian lentil soup is one of those back-pocket recipes I find myself defaulting to again and again because it calls for super-basic ingredients that we almost always have on hand. And on chilly nights when we find ourselves craving some feel-good vegetarian comfort food, it’s one of those simple recipes that always always hits the spot. ♡

It’s made with a basic mix of veggies and protein-rich lentils, all simmered together in a tomato-herb broth with a slight kick. Then once the lentils are cooked and tender, I always stir in a few handfuls of kale (or whatever greens happen to be hanging out in the crisper drawer) and some extra fresh basil (if you happen to have some on hand), and then finish off each serving bowl with a generous sprinkling of freshly-grated Parmesan and a few twists of black pepper. It’s one of those simple soups that somehow always tastes even better than we remember and — bonus — also makes for amazing leftovers the next day.

So round up those leftover lentils that have been sitting in the back of your pantry and let’s cook up a big pot of lentil soup together!

Italian Lentil Soup Ingredients (more…)

Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs)

Bún chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) are simple, light, fresh, and perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.

The post Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This light and fresh Bún Chả recipe features flavorful and juicy pork meatballs paired with vermicelli noodles and plenty of herbs and vegetables. Bún chả is light yet filling and it comes together effortlessly in a few straightforward steps. Served with a homemade dipping sauce, this refreshing recipe is perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.

Close up of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

What is Bún Chả?

Growing up, I didn’t realize there was a name for these delicious juicy pork meatballs. They were just something my mom made for me because it was one of the five things that I was willing to eat without question. It’s a recipe that you can easily make, you can scale it up or down, and most importantly, it’s super flavorful. 

Bún chả, also known as Vietnamese pork meatballs with vermicelli noodles, is a popular Vietnamese dish that is thought to have originated in Hanoi. You can find them served anywhere from street food stalls to restaurants in Hanoi. While a popular lunchtime recipe, you can enjoy this recipe any time of the day. I love how refreshing the noodles, vegetables, and herbs are on a hot summer day. You can even find Anthony Bourdain and Barack Obama enjoying it on an episode of Parts Unknown!

What is fish sauce? 

Fish sauce is the secret ingredient of this entire recipe. It goes into the meatballs as well as the dipping sauce (nước chấm) and is an absolute umami bomb. It is a liquid condiment that is made from fermenting fish over time. It adds major savory, salty, and general deliciousness to the overall dish. You can find fish sauce in the international aisle in most grocery stores, or at an Asian grocer.

Bún chả being dipped in a bowl of sauce with ingredients on the sides.

What is lemongrass? 

Lemongrass is an aromatic herb that has a fragrant complex flavor that is bright and citrusy. You can purchase lemongrass fresh or frozen. I usually find frozen lemongrass at Asian grocers and like to stock up my freezer with them. If you can’t find lemongrass, lemon zest and some ginger could work in a pinch, but I highly recommend not substituting the lemongrass because it is key to achieving the authentic Vietnamese flavor profile.

When using fresh lemongrass, keep in mind that the bottom woody section should be discarded. I’ve been noticing more chain grocery stores carrying fresh lemongrass so you should be able to find it relatively easily. If not, check where the ginger paste is kept and you might find lemongrass paste instead for an easy swap!

How to store leftovers

This recipe is perfect for meal prepping! Store the rice noodles, veggies, and herbs in one container and the pork meatballs in another container. This makes reheating the meatballs much easier, especially at work. Everything should keep and stay fresh for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Tips for Making Bún Chả

  • Do not overpack the meatballs while shaping the meatballs as you do not want them to be dense. 
  • For uniformed meatballs, use a cookie scoop. This helps them cook evenly as well. You do not want to go any larger than around a golf ball’s size.
  • For the nước chấm, feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your tastes. 
  • While I use a non-stick skillet, you can use a grilling pan or cast-iron skillet as well. 
  • When buying rice vermicelli noodles, make sure to double-check the ingredients. At first glance, they look similar to cellophane noodles but they are not the same.
Close up side view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.
Close up side view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

Bún chả

Bún chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) are simple, light, fresh, and perfect for a hot summer day or as a make-ahead meal.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Vietnames
Total Cost $16.22 recipe / $4.06 serving
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 469kcal
Author Carmy Do

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1 lb. ground pork $4.49
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped $0.24
  • 1/4 cup chopped shallot $0.68
  • 4 Tbsp minced lemongrass $0.60
  • 2 Tbsp honey $0.24
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce $0.23
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.02

Dipping Sauce (​​Nuoc Cham)

  • 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes) $1.20
  • 3/4 cup water $0.00
  • 3 Tbsp fish sauce $0.68
  • 1 Thai red chili pepper $0.10
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 2 Tbsp sugar $0.02
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced $0.16

Bowls

  • 8 oz. rice vermicelli noodles $2.99
  • 1 head butter lettuce $1.59
  • 1 handful fresh mint $2.19
  • 1 carrot, sliced $0.16
  • 1/2 cucumber, sliced $0.50

Instructions

For the Meatballs:

  • CHop the garlic and shallots, and mince the lemongrass.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together the pork, fish sauce, salt, pepper, honey, lemongrass, shallots, and garlic. Set the mixture aside for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge.
  • Shape the mixture into small meatballs (about 20 meatballs), and then gently flatten them a bit.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil and add the meatballs in a single layer. Cook the meatballs until they are golden and caramelized, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the cooked meatballs aside.

For the Sauce:

  • Whisk the sauce ingredients together and adjust to your tastes. Optional: heat the water and whisk the sugar in to dissolve before adding the rest of the ingredients.

For the Bowls:

  • Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions (usually cook 2-3 minutes in a pot of boiling water).
  • Serve the noodles with the meatballs along with a handful of lettuce, mint, carrots, and cucumbers with the nuoc cham on the side.

Notes

Editor’s note: The prices listed above are from U.S. chain grocery stores. If you have an Asian market in your area you’ll be able to source ingredients like fish sauce, lemongrass, limes, Thai chilis, mint, and rice noodles for much cheaper and often with much higher quality.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 469kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 2098mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of Bún chả in a bowl with rice noodles and vegetables.

How to Make Bún chả – Step by Step Photos

Prepared aromatics for the meatballs on a cutting board.

First, prepare the aromatics for the meatballs. Mince three cloves of garlic, ¼ cup shallots, and 4 tablespoons lemongrass.

Meatball ingredients in a bowl.

Add the garlic, shallots, and lemongrass to a bowl with about one pound of ground pork, 2 Tablespoons of honey, 1 Tablespoon fish sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Mix the ingredients together then set the mixture aside for 1 to 2 hours in the fridge so the flavors can blend.

Shaped meatballs in a casserole dish.

Shape the mixture into small meatballs, and then gently flatten them a bit. To help divide the mixture evenly, first, dive the meat into four equal pieces, then divide each quarter into five pieces to yield 20 meatballs.

Cooked meatballs in a skillet.

Heat a large skillet over medium. Once hot, add a tablespoon or two of cooking oil and swirl to coat. Add the meatballs to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook the meatballs until they are golden and caramelized, around 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set the cooked meatballs aside.

Prepared dipping sauce in a small container with a whisk.

For the sauce, whisk together ¼ cup lime juice, ¾ cup water, 3 Tablespoons fish sauce, 1 minced clove of garlic, 1 finely chopped red chili, 2 Tablespoons of sugar, and some thinly sliced carrots (optional garnish). Taste the sauce and adjust the ingredients to your taste buds.

Cooked rice noodles draining in a sieve over a bowl.

Prepare the vermicelli noodles according to package instructions (they usually require cooking for 2-3 minutes in a pot of boiling water). Drain the noodles and set them aside.

Chopped vegetables on a cutting board.

Prepare the rest of the vegetables for your bowls. Slice a cucumber, slice a carrot into matchsticks, pull a handful of mint leaves from the stems, and wash some tender lettuce.

Finished Bún chả bowl from above.

Build the Bún chả bowls by adding the rice vermicelli noodles to a bowl along with some lettuce, cucumber, carrot, and Bún chả. Dip the Bún chả into the sauce, or drizzle a little over the bowl.

Bún chả in a bowl of dipping sauce.

SO fresh and so GOOD!

Overhead view of Bún chả in a bowl with noodles and vegetables, dipping sauce on the side.

The post Bún Chả (Vietnamese Meatballs) appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Roasted Carrots with Basil & Carrot Top Pesto

Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness; when topped with a tangy pesto made with the parsley-like carrot tops (just say no to food waste!) it makes for a perfect seasonal side dish. The feathery carrot greens are blended with sweet basil, pine nuts, olive oil and vinegar to make a tangy green sauce that’s […]

The post Roasted Carrots with Basil & Carrot Top Pesto first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness; when topped with a tangy pesto made with the parsley-like carrot tops (just say no to food waste!) it makes for a perfect seasonal side dish.

The feathery carrot greens are blended with sweet basil, pine nuts, olive oil and vinegar to make a tangy green sauce that’s a perfect compliment to the natural flavor and sweetness of the carrots.

Blue and white ceramic platter with pile of Roasted Carrots, drizzled with Basil and Carrot Top Pesto on a blue background.

We’ve been getting big beautiful bundles of carrots in our CSA lately, vibrantly orange and sweet, with plumes of feathery greens still attached that I hate to just throw away (yes, they’re edible just like beet greens or turnip greens). Add in bunches of fragrant sweet basil that came with our most recent share, and this recipe basically developed itself.

If you haven’t had them before, carrot greens have an earthy, parsley-like flavor that can be used in myriad different ways, including this unique and flavorful pesto-like green sauce. It’s somewhat similar to the carrot top pesto I served with this creamy carrot soup; the flavors of the sweet carrot and grassy pesto are perfect compliments to each other. You know what they say, if they grow together, they go together (actually, I don’t know anyone who says that, but in this case it totally fits).

(more…)

Rice Paper Egg Rolls (3 Ways)

These vegan egg rolls have a delicious filling of carrots, cabbage, scallion, and mushrooms wrapped in crunchy rice paper wrappers. You can prepare the filling in 10 minutes and bake the whole batch in one in 20 minutes. Or deep-fry or air-fry them for…

These vegan egg rolls have a delicious filling of carrots, cabbage, scallion, and mushrooms wrapped in crunchy rice paper wrappers. You can prepare the filling in 10 minutes and bake the whole batch in one in 20 minutes. Or deep-fry or air-fry them for a couple of minutes. Are you looking for more rice paper...

Read More

The post Rice Paper Egg Rolls (3 Ways) appeared first on My Pure Plants.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Vegan)

Wrapping fresh julienne vegetables, fresh herbs like basil and mint, rice vermicelli noodles and crispy mushroom shreds with rice paper wrappers will make for a delicious vegan Vietnamese spring rolls also known as fresh summer rolls. They are a popula…

Wrapping fresh julienne vegetables, fresh herbs like basil and mint, rice vermicelli noodles and crispy mushroom shreds with rice paper wrappers will make for a delicious vegan Vietnamese spring rolls also known as fresh summer rolls. They are a popular appetizer or snack that you can also easily prepare at home. Are you looking for...

Read More

The post Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Vegan) appeared first on My Pure Plants.

How to Steam Carrots Without Cooking Them to Death

One of the easiest side dishes to make is steamed vegetables—like carrots—but they’re also one of the easiest to screw up. One second the vegetables are practically raw and the next they’re an overcooked mess that may as well turn into a mash. So what’…

One of the easiest side dishes to make is steamed vegetables—like carrots—but they’re also one of the easiest to screw up. One second the vegetables are practically raw and the next they’re an overcooked mess that may as well turn into a mash. So what’s the best way to steam carrots so that they’re actually appealing?

How to Steam Carrots (No Steamer Basket Necessary)

First, are you steaming baby carrots or large carrots? Will they be cooked whole, halved, or in smaller rounds? All of this will impact exactly how long to cook carrots for.

Read More >>