Lion's Head Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)

Name: Lion's Head Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Ingredients: 1 pound ground pork; 1/2 cup water chestnuts, minced; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; 1 egg; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Oil for frying

15 steps

Prep:20minCook:30min

Lion's Head Meatballs (Shi Zi Tou) are a classic Shanghainese dish of large, fluffy meatballs made with ground pork, water chestnuts, and green onions. They are typically served in a savory sauce and are a popular dish for both special occasions and everyday meals.

Updated at: Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:33:12 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories378.7 kcal (19%)

Total Fat31.6 g (45%)

Carbs9.1 g (3%)

Sugars0.2 g (0%)

Protein14.7 g (29%)

Sodium307.5 mg (15%)

Fiber0.2 g (1%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

6 servings

1 poundground pork

½ cupwater chestnuts

minced

¼ cupgreen onions

chopped

1 tablespoongrated ginger

1 teaspoonminced garlic

1egg

1 tablespooncornstarch

1 tablespoonsoy sauce

1 teaspoonsesame oil

¼ teaspoonsalt

¼ teaspoonblack pepper

oil for frying

Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, water chestnuts, green onions, ginger, garlic, egg, cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are combined.

Step 2

Form the meat mixture into 6 large meatballs, about the size of your fist.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to the pan to coat the bottom.

Step 4

Carefully place the meatballs in the pan and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per side.

Step 5

Remove the meatballs from the pan and set aside.

Step 6

Add a little more oil to the pan and reduce the heat to medium.

Step 7

Add 1/4 cup of water to the pan and bring it to a boil.

Step 8

Return the meatballs to the pan and cover.

Step 9

Simmer for 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Step 10

Serve immediately with rice or noodles.

Step 11

Tips:

Step 12

For extra fluffy meatballs, add a tablespoon of baking soda to the meat mixture.

Step 13

To test if the meatballs are cooked through, insert a toothpick into the center of one of them. If the toothpick comes out clean, the meatballs are done.

Step 14

You can also cook the meatballs in a steamer or in the oven. To bake the meatballs, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.

Step 15

Serve the meatballs with your favorite dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, vinegar, or chili sauce.