Lion’s Head Chinese Meatballs get their name from their distinctive, lion-head-like shape. They’re a popular comfort food around Chinese New Year’s, but they are of course enjoyed at any time of the year. Filled with tangy, sweet, and savory flavors and topped with a magnificent sweet soy sauce, Lion’s Head Chinese Meatballs have a celebratory taste that will get you excited for whatever the new year holds!
Ingredients
For the meatballs:
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing cooking wine or mirin
- 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
For the sweet soy sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon flour or cornstarch
For serving:
- white rice, optional, cooked
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven or air fryer to 375 degrees F.
Step 2 –In a large mixing bowl, combine the pork with the breadcrumbs, eggs, cooking wine, green onions, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper, mixing until well combined.
Step 3 –Divide the pork mixture into 5 equal pieces and roll them into meatballs.
Step 4 –If cooking them in the air-fryer, place the meatballs in a single layer in the air fryer and cook until the meatballs have an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 20 minutes.
Step 5 –If cooking the meatballs in an oven, place the meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, about 40 minutes.
Step 6 –In a small mixing bowl, add 1/4 cup soy sauce, the chicken broth, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and the flour, whisking well to combine until the flour and sugar dissolves.
Step 7 –Transfer the sauce into a shallow saucepan and heat over medium heat until it thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 8 –Add the cooked meatballs to the saucepan, toss well to evenly coat.
Step 9 –Serve warm, topped with green onions and white rice.
