Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)
Make Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou), a Chinese dinner recipe with ground pork (20-30% fat recommended), canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped, fresh ginger, grated. It has about 1 hr 30 min, about 600 calories per serving. Get ingredients, step-by-step instructions, nutrition estimates, FAQs, and Recipe Genius app tools.
Quick answer
Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) is a Chinese dinner recipe that takes about 1 hr 30 min, makes 4 servings, has about 600 calories per serving. Use the ingredients and steps below, or open it in Recipe Genius for guided Cook Mode, timers, serving changes, and a shopping list.
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View on AmazonLion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) ingredients
- 1.5 lbs ground pork (20-30% fat recommended)
- 0.5 cup canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp green onions, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 0.5 tsp white pepper
- 0.5 tsp sesame oil
- 0.5 head Napa cabbage, large leaves separated
- 4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp rock sugar (or granulated sugar)
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
How to make Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, chopped water chestnuts, grated ginger, chopped green onions, egg, cornstarch, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, white pepper, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly by hand until well combined and slightly sticky. Do not overmix.
- Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and gently form them into large, round meatballs (about 3-4 inches in diameter). Be gentle to keep them airy.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Carefully place the meatballs in the pot and sear for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned. This helps them hold their shape. Remove meatballs and set aside.
- Arrange the Napa cabbage leaves in a single layer at the bottom of the pot. Place the seared meatballs on top of the cabbage.
- Pour chicken broth (or water) over the meatballs and cabbage. Add rock sugar, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the meatballs are very tender and have absorbed the flavors. Ensure there's always enough liquid to braise the meatballs.
- Taste the braising liquid and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the Lion's Head Meatballs hot, with the cabbage and a generous amount of braising liquid, often accompanied by steamed rice.
Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) FAQ
How do I make Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)?
Make Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) by gathering the ingredients below, following the step-by-step instructions, and checking that everything is cooked safely before serving.
What ingredients are in Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)?
The main ingredients include ground pork (20-30% fat recommended), canned water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped, fresh ginger, grated, green onions, finely chopped, large egg. The full ingredient list is included on this page.
How long does Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) take?
This recipe takes about 1 hr 30 min, depending on prep speed and kitchen equipment.
How many calories are in Lion's Head Pork Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)?
Recipe Genius estimates about 600 calories per serving. Nutrition is estimated, so use your own labels when precision matters.