Ginger Pork Meatballs with Bok Choy
In short: Tender ginger and scallion pork meatballs simmered in a light garlic broth with bok choy, served over rice for a warm, brothy dinner. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 515 kcal
These meatballs are small, soft and full of ginger, and they cook right in the broth they are served in. There is no browning step, which keeps the dish light and the cleanup short. A little cornstarch and water in the mixture keeps the pork tender, and the bok choy goes in at the end so it stays bright green. Ladle it over rice, or add noodles to the broth for a bowl that is somewhere between a soup and a main.
Instructions
- Mix the pork, chopped spring onions, grated ginger, garlic, soy sauce, cornstarch, water, sesame oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir in one direction with a spoon for 1 minute until the mixture turns sticky.
- Wet your hands and roll the mixture into about 20 balls, each about 3 cm (1 1/4 inches) wide.
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the stock, soy sauce and vinegar and bring to a gentle simmer. Lower the meatballs in one by one.
- Simmer gently, uncovered, for 8 minutes, until the meatballs float and one reads 71°C (160°F) in the center. Skim off any foam.
- Add the bok choy, cover and cook for 3 minutes until the stems are just tender.
- Serve the meatballs and broth over rice, topped with the sliced spring onions and chili oil if you like.
Tips
- Keep the broth at a gentle simmer. A hard boil toughens the meatballs and clouds the broth.
- Napa cabbage, spinach or choy sum can replace the bok choy. Add napa 2 minutes earlier, and spinach in the final minute.
Questions and answers
Can I make the meatballs ahead of time?
Yes. Roll them up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate them on a covered tray. They can also be frozen raw and cooked from frozen for 4 more minutes.
Can I use chicken or turkey instead of pork?
Yes, although they are leaner and slightly less juicy. Add 1 tbsp of oil to the mixture.
What can I serve instead of rice?
Rice noodles, wheat noodles or plain boiled potatoes all work. You can also serve it in smaller bowls as a soup.
How long does it take to make Ginger Pork Meatballs with Bok Choy?
About 40 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ginger Pork Meatballs with Bok Choy?
About 515 kcal per serving, with 27 g of protein, 48 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 515 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 27 g |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
