How to Make Lion's Head Meatballs - A Step-by-Step Guide

Lion's Head Meatballs, also known as "Shi Zi Tou" in Chinese, is a traditional dish from the Jiangsu province of China. The dish gets its name from the large size of the meatballs, which are meant to resemble the mane of a lion.

These savory and tender meatballs are made with a mixture of ground pork, aromatic ingredients, and a flavorful sauce that is simmered to perfection. The dish is often served with a bed of tender napa cabbage, which soaks up all the delicious flavors of the me...

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups boiling water
  • 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 (8 ounce) container firm tofu, chopped into small bits
  • ¼ cup minced canned water chestnuts
  • 1 pound fatty ground pork (at least 20% fat)
  • ¼ cup finely sliced green onions (white and light green parts only)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 ½ teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 2 tablespoons Shao Hsing rice wine or dry sherry (see Note)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (Optional)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 small head napa cabbage
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sherry wine or rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (Optional)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil, or to taste
  • ¼ cup sliced green onion tops
  • 2 tablespoons hot chili oil

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
  • Servings: 6

  • Pour boiling water over shiitake mushrooms, and let sit until soft enough to slice, about 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, make the meatball mixture: Combine tofu and chestnuts in a large bowl. Add ground pork, green onions, garlic, and ginger. Pour in rice wine, soy sauce, brown sugar, egg, salt, and cayenne. Dust with cornstarch. Mix with a clean hand until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Form mixture into 6 large meatballs with wet hands.
  • Set an oven rack about 8 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and oil lightly. Place meatballs on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Broil in the preheated oven until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool while prepping the pot.
  • For the cooking liquid: Trim off the bottom of the head of cabbage and slice 1/2 of the head. Arrange sliced cabbage on the bottom of a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Arrange remaining cabbage leaves on top. Slice and scatter mushrooms on top of cabbage; reserve shiitake liquid. Nestle meatballs into cabbage leaves and pour juices over.
  • Strain reserved shiitake liquid into a bowl. Add chicken broth, soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Whisk until dissolved. Add to the pot, pouring over each meatball. Bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover and increase heat to medium-high. Continue cooking, basting meatballs often, until liquid reduces slightly and meatballs are no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Taste for seasoning.
  • Ladle into serving bowls and arrange cabbage over meatballs. Top with green onions and chili oil.
  • Nutrition

    315 cal.

    • Total Fat: 18g
    • Saturated Fat: 5g
    • Cholesterol: 82mg
    • Sodium: 1608mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 19g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 21g
    • Vitamin C: 35mg
    • Calcium: 257mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 672mg