Cozy Winter Napa Cabbage & Chicken Meatballs

Dairy-Free · 8m+ · en

This traditional-inspired Chinese winter stew uses seasonal Napa cabbage simmered until melt-in-the-mouth soft, paired with fluffy, easy-to-chew chicken meatballs. Perfect for baby-led weaning and toddler dinners on cold evenings.

Ensure the tofu is smashed very finely to blend seamlessly into the chicken; this is the secret to fluffy baby-safe meatballs.
Serve the stew as is, or spoon it over soft rice or plain noodles for older toddlers.
For family meals, you can remove the baby's portion first, then add a splash of soy sauce, white pepper, and salt for the adults.

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 20 min
Servings: 4
Age: 8m+

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Ingredients

Napa cabbage — 200 g / 2 cups · finely chopped, white stalks and green leaves separated
Ground chicken — 250 g / ½ lb
Firm or medium tofu — 50 g / ¼ cup · mashed well
Carrot — 50 g / ¼ cup · finely grated
Low-sodium chicken broth or water — 400 ml / 1.5 cups
Fresh ginger — 1 thin slice · for flavoring the broth, removed before serving
Sesame oil — 2 ml / ½ tsp · optional

Watch how it's made

Steps

In a bowl, mix the ground chicken, mashed tofu, and grated carrot until well combined. Form the mixture into small, bite-sized meatballs (about 1.5 cm / 0.6 inches wide).
Wash and finely chop the Napa cabbage. Keep the firmer white stalks separate from the softer green leaves.
Bring the broth and the slice of ginger to a gentle boil in a medium pot. Carefully drop the chicken meatballs into the liquid one by one.
Add the white cabbage stalks to the pot. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes until the meatballs are cooked through and the stalks are tender.
Stir in the soft green cabbage leaves and simmer for another 3 to 5 minutes until everything is very soft. Remove the ginger slice, drizzle with sesame oil, and let it cool to a safe temperature before serving.

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze this stew?

Yes, you can freeze the meatballs and broth in an airtight container for up to 2 months. The cabbage may become a bit mushy upon freezing, so you can also freeze just the meatballs and add fresh cabbage when reheating.

Is this suitable for a 6-month-old?

For 6-month-olds starting solids, it is better to puree this soup or mash everything extremely finely. For 8 months and older, the soft meatballs and cooked leaves are excellent for practicing chewing.

Can I use pork instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Ground pork is very traditional for this Chinese-style dish. Just ensure the pork meatballs are cooked thoroughly.

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