Pork Ginger Meatball Soup

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting soup with tender pork meatballs in a fragrant ginger-infused broth, featuring fresh vegetables and rice noodles. This hawaiian-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound ground pork, tablespoons, grated ginger, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Hawaiian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1 pound ground pork, 2 tablespoons grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil. Mix with your hands until well combined, then form into 1-inch meatballs.
  2. Step 2: In a large pot, bring 4 cups chicken broth to a simmer over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 8-10 minutes until cooked through and the broth is heated through.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 ounces rice noodles and 2 cups chopped bok choy to the pot. Simmer for 5 minutes until the noodles are tender and the bok choy is wilted.
  4. Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pork Ginger Meatball Soup take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pork Ginger Meatball Soup?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pork Ginger Meatball Soup?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pork Ginger Meatball Soup for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pork Ginger Meatball Soup?

Hawaiian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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