Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1135 · Lion's Head Meatballs

Lion's Head Meatballs, and where to source it

Lion's Head Meatballs — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Lion's Head Meatballs Chinese 5best2buy.com

Mix the pork with chopped fat and a little water and throw it against the bowl until sticky, so the giant balls hold together yet stay tender.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep25 min
Cook1 hr
MakesServes 4
CuisineChinese
Cost$$
Dairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten · tree nuts · soy
Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Ground pork (some fat)
1.25 lb
570 g
Water chestnuts, minced
1/2 cup
75 g
Local / market
Napa cabbage, quartered
1/2 head
1/2 head
Local / market
Ginger and scallion, minced
2 tbsp
30 ml
Local / market
Egg
1
1
Shaoxing wine
1 tbsp
15 ml
Local / market
Light soy sauce
2 tbsp
30 ml
Cornstarch
1 tbsp
15 ml
Local / market
Chicken stock
2 cups
480 ml
White pepper and salt
to taste
to taste
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Mix the pork with water chestnut, ginger, scallion, egg, wine, soy, cornstarch, and seasoning, then throw it against the bowl until sticky.PT10M
  2. Wet your hands and form four large loose balls, then brown them gently in a little oil on all sides.PT8M
  3. Lay the napa cabbage in a pot, set the meatballs on top, pour in the stock, and bring to a simmer.PT5M
  4. Cover and braise on low for about an hour until the meatballs are silky soft and the cabbage is sweet.PT55M
The Toolkit

Dutch oven · Mixing bowl · Cleaver

Straight Answers
Can you make Lion's Head Meatballs in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Lion's Head Meatballs? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Lion's Head Meatballs ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Lion's Head Meatballs gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in tamari instead of soy sauce (check the other labels too).

Is Lion's Head Meatballs vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More Chinese recipes
Hakka Salt-Baked ChickenSteamed Bao BunsFried RiceWontonsBeef and BroccoliCold Sesame Noodles
All Chinese recipes →  ·  Browse all 1285 →

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1135