Chinese Recipes
Steamed Sticky Rice Meatballs (Pearl Meatballs)
These traditional Chinese steamed sticky rice meatballs feature juicy pork wrapped in glutinous rice and steamed until tender. Commonly known as Pearl Meatballs, they are a popular festive dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.
- Total
- 20 Minutes
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Chinese Recipes
- Method
- Steaming
- Total Time
- 20 Minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Main Ingredient
- Ground Pork
About This Recipe
These traditional Chinese steamed sticky rice meatballs feature juicy pork wrapped in glutinous rice and steamed until tender. Commonly known as Pearl Meatballs, they are a popular festive dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
- Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
- Uses gentle steaming, which makes the cooking process easier to control.
- Shows a practical way to cook pork with clear preparation and cooking cues.
- Gives the dish a clear savory flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
Ingredients
- 150 g Ground Pork
- 50 g Glutinous Rice
- 1 slice, minced Ginger
- 2 stalks, finely chopped Scallions
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- for garnish Goji Berries
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.
Ground Pork
Pork brings savory depth and works well with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and vegetables.
Glutinous Rice
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
, minced Ginger
Ginger adds clean aroma and helps balance meat, seafood, tofu, and fermented flavors.
stalks, finely chopped Scallions
Scallions add freshness and are useful both as an aromatic base and as a finishing flavor.
Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe
These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.
Sauce
Shaoxing Wine
Chinese cooking wine used in marinades, stir-fries, braises, and sauces.
Sauce
Light Soy Sauce
The everyday soy sauce for salt, umami, marinades, and stir-fry seasoning.
Sauce
Sesame Oil
A finishing oil that adds nutty aroma to soups, noodles, fillings, and cold dishes.
Technique
Velveting
A Chinese technique for keeping sliced meat, chicken, shrimp, and beef tender.
Technique
How to Steam Chinese Food
Understand Chinese steaming for fish, eggs, tofu, buns, and vegetables.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it overnight. Drain well before using.
Step 2
Combine the ground pork, scallions, ginger, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl. Mix until the filling becomes sticky and well blended.
Step 3
Shape the pork mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
Step 4
Roll each meatball in the soaked glutinous rice until completely coated.
Step 5
Arrange the rice-coated meatballs on a heatproof plate and garnish each one with a few goji berries.
Step 6
Place the plate in a steamer over boiling water and steam for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the pork is fully cooked.
Step 7
Serve hot and enjoy.
Cooking Tips
- The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the meatballs. Soaking the glutinous rice overnight helps it cook evenly and creates the best texture. For extra flavor, add a little light soy sauce to the pork mixture before shaping.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Serve with a stronger stir-fry, braised dish, or dipping sauce to balance the gentle texture.
- Steamed dishes are best when served hot, before condensation softens the surface.
Recipe Card
These traditional Chinese steamed sticky rice meatballs feature juicy pork wrapped in glutinous rice and steamed until tender. Commonly known as Pearl Meatballs, they are a popular festive dish that is both flavorful and visually appealing.
Ingredients
- 150 g Ground Pork
- 50 g Glutinous Rice
- 1 slice, minced Ginger
- 2 stalks, finely chopped Scallions
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- for garnish Goji Berries
Method
- Rinse the glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it overnight. Drain well before using.
- Combine the ground pork, scallions, ginger, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, and sesame oil in a bowl. Mix until the filling becomes sticky and well blended.
- Shape the pork mixture into evenly sized meatballs.
- Roll each meatball in the soaked glutinous rice until completely coated.
- Arrange the rice-coated meatballs on a heatproof plate and garnish each one with a few goji berries.
- Place the plate in a steamer over boiling water and steam for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the pork is fully cooked.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
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