Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs
Large succulent pork meatballs braised in a sweet soy and ginger broth, a classic Shanghainese comfort dish. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 60 minutes pairs ground pork (25% fat), stalks green onions, finely chopped, fresh ginger, grated for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground pork (25% fat)
- 2 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tbsp rock sugar
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 8 oz bok choy, trimmed
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb ground pork, 2 chopped green onions, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 large egg, and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Mix thoroughly until sticky and well combined.
- Step 2: Form the mixture into 4 large meatballs, about 3 inches in diameter.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides for about 8 minutes, turning gently to avoid breaking.
- Step 4: Add 3 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp rock sugar, and 1 1/2 cups water to the pan. Add 8 oz trimmed bok choy around the meatballs.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, cover, and braise on low heat for 25 minutes until meatballs are cooked through and bok choy is tender.
- Step 6: Remove lid and increase heat to medium to reduce sauce for 5 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Serve meatballs with bok choy and sauce spooned over.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs?
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 ground pork (25% fat) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs?
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 Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs 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 Shanghai-Style Sweet Soy Glazed Lion’s Head Meatballs?
Chinese pork 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.
