Best 2 Chinese Pearl Meatballs Recipes

Chinese pearl meatballs, also called Lion's head meatballs, are a delicious and iconic dish in Chinese cuisine. These meatballs are typically made with a mixture of ground pork, beef, or lamb, along with various seasonings and aromatics. They are often served in a savory sauce or broth, and can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or part of a larger meal. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to cooking Chinese pearl meatballs, including the necessary ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips to ensure a flavorful and successful dish.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CHINESE PEARL MEATBALLS

Chinese Pearl Meatballs image

These tasty meatballs are easy to make. Wonderful for your Chinese New Year celebration or as an addition to a holiday buffet. Some folks dye the glutinous rice with red or green for a holiday touch. Another serving idea is to whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and garlic to taste and sprinkle over the meatballs, rice, and some steamed vegetables.

Provided by Mom2MMJ

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian Chinese

Time 2h45m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

½ cup uncooked glutinous (sticky) white rice, rinsed
⅔ pound ground pork
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 small onion, chopped
½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger
½ teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon salt
1 dash ground black pepper
2 leaves Chinese cabbage

Steps:

Place the rice in a bowl with enough water to cover. Allow to soak 2 hours. Drain and pour onto a platter.
Mix the ground pork, water, wine, cornstarch, soy sauce, onion, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Divide and roll the mixture into balls 1-1/2 to 2 inches in size. Roll the meatballs in the soaked glutinous rice to coat completely.
Line a large bamboo steamer with the cabbage leaves. Arrange the meatballs atop the cabbage leaves.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat; place a bamboo steamer over the boiling water. Steam the meatballs until no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221.1 calories, Carbohydrate 14.2 g, Cholesterol 48.9 mg, Fat 10.9 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 14.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 582.5 mg, Sugar 1 g

CHINESE PEARL MEATBALLS

Chinese Pearl Meatballs image

When my neighbor's daughter was dedicated they had a family lunch. I prepared an 8 course Chinese meal for them. Pearl Meatballs were a big hit that day, and I made them for their family many times after that day. The daughter is now in college and I made some last fall for them to take to their tailgate.

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Categories Meat Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1 c glutinous rice, soaked for 2 hours
1 lb ground pork
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp dry sherry
2-3 Tbsp sesame oil
4-5 green onions, chopped
1/2 can(s) water chestnuts, chopped
3 clove garlic, minced
1 large egg
fresh ginger, chopped
kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
cornstarch
3-4 dried shitake` mushrooms, optional
8-10 dried shrimp, optional
DIPPING SAUCE
6 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp asian chili paste, or more to taste

Steps:

1. Soaked the rice for 2 hours. Mix the rest of the ingredients with ground pork in a mixing bowl and add 1 to 1.5 cups of water. Mix well and let sit for 30 minutes.
2. Spread out the soaked riced onto a plate. Roll the meat into a small ball with the help of a tablespoon.
3. Gently roll the meatball on the plate of rice to cover the meatball. Place onto a plate that can sit inside of the bamboo steamer.
4. Bring 1/2 pot of water to boil and place the stacked bamboo steamer (with the plated meatballs inside) on top. Make sure there's a good seal between the pot and the steamer. Steam for 30 minutes.
5. Take off the steamer from the pot and let it cool. Suggestion for plating: plate the meatballs on top of a bed of shredded lettuce and surround them by green broccoli or shredded green and red bell peppers.
6. DIPPING SAUCE: Mix all ingredients together and serve with pearl meatballs.

Tips:

Choose the right pork. Ground pork shoulder is the best choice for pearl meatballs because it has a good balance of fat and lean meat. If you use ground pork loin, the meatballs may be too dry.
Grind the pork yourself. This will give you more control over the texture of the meatballs. If you buy pre-ground pork, make sure it is finely ground.
Use fresh ginger and garlic. This will give the meatballs the best flavor. If you use dried ginger or garlic, the flavor will be muted.
Don't overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will make the meatballs tough. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined.
Chill the meatball mixture for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help the meatballs hold their shape.
Cook the meatballs over medium heat. This will help them cook evenly and prevent them from burning.
Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the meatballs. This will prevent them from cooking evenly. Cook the meatballs in batches if necessary.
Serve the meatballs immediately. They are best when served hot and fresh.

Conclusion:

Chinese pearl meatballs are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They are perfect for parties or potlucks. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make these meatballs at home. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give these pearl meatballs a try. You won't be disappointed.