Fragrant garlic, fresh ginger and toasted sesame oil give these steamed pork dumplings the addictive flavor you crave.
It’s probably pretty clear by now that I adore every type of Asian food. From Vietnamese pho to egg rolls to scallion pancakes and everything in between- you name it, I crave it!
It all stems from my childhood of eating everything from Vietnamese food to sushi to Chinese food on a regular basis. As a result, much to my husband’s dismay, when picking a place to spend my hard earned money I would much rather choose an Asian restaurant than a burger or pizza joint.
Dumplings rank up there as one of my all time favorite Asian foods. From Japanese gyoza to Chinese potstickers – I just can’t get enough. Earlier this year, my friend Julie shared a beautiful recipe and incredible video on How to Make Chinese Potstickers.
While I had made them at home in the past, it had been years and I was ready to give it a second try. Leave it to Julie to make it look easy as pie! (She also has a great pie dough recipe but that’s another story.)
Give these a shot – you will be surprised how easy they are to make at home and even more thrilling: you don’t have to split that tiny platter of six with a table of four. You’re welcome.
No fork required this time.
Steamed Pork Dumplings
Ingredients
- 8 oz ground pork
- 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 2 scallions (halved)
- 2 inch piece fresh ginger (quartered)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon shaoh sing rice cooking wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 24 wonton wrappers
- small bowl water for assembling
Sweet Soy Dipping Sauce
- 2 tbs soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tbs rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
- 2 tablespoons minced scallions
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse together dumpling filling (ground pork through pepper) until smooth. Place mixture in a medium bowl and set aside.
- To assemble dumplings, lay out wonton wrappers six at a time on a clean surface and have bowl of water and dumpling mixture side by side.
- Using a cookie scoop or two tablespoons, place a small amount of the filling mixture in the center of each wonton wrapper.
- Light dip finger into water and moisten all four edges of the wonton wrapper. Gently bring together top and bottom of the wrapper and pinch tightly to secure. Do the same with the left and right side pinching tightly once again to make sure the dumpling filling is tightly secure in the wonton wrapper.
- Repeat the process until you've filled all wonton wrappers.
- Bring two inches of water to boil in a large wok or sauce pot. To prevent dumplings from sticking during cooking, line steamer basket with several cabbage leaves. Steam 6 dumplings at a time in basket, careful not to over-crowd, for 8-10 minutes with a tight fitting lid.
- While dumplings are steaming, whisk together sweet soy dipping sauce.
- Serve dumplings warm with dipping sauce on the side.
Chef's Notes:
Nutrition:
Sandra
These look awesome! I was wondering if kneading the filling by hand would work if you don’t own a food processor… (Of course, after using the hand blender to mince the ingredients)
Liz DellaCroce
Absolutely!! No problem at all. Let me know how they turn out!!
Sandra
I ended up changing most of the ingredients, but used your technique to make them. They turned out great!!! I brought them over to a friends’ place for an olympics watching party and everyone loved them :)
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad!!! Sounds perfect!
Michelle
I used to always order these with chinese. These are so simple and delish! I made them twice in the past week! So much better when made at home!
Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
me too!! It’s my favorite take out order!!
Kirsten
Liz,
My family loves gyoza/mandoo/pot stickers.
I’m starting to think that my haul of ground beef could be used instead of pork. I’ve got the rest of the goodies, even the hsao sing thanks to Lydia’s posts at the Perfect Pantry.
Thanks for this recipe!
Tina | My Life as a Mrs
I’m OBSESSED with pork dumplings… never attempted them at home but need to now! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Girl…. you must try making them at home!!! Then you can eat 100’s of them without judgement from fellow restaurant guests. ;)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I love every type of Asian food too! Those look so perfect! I don’t know if mine will look that good but I’m going to try them!
Liz DellaCroce
Who cars what they look like!! My aunt even makes the filling only and cooks it in chicken broth for a fast soup so she doesn’t bother with the dumpling part – haha.
Liz
Nice recipe. Thanks so much.
Liz DellaCroce
My pleasure Liz – thank you for reading!
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
I looooovvve steamed pork dumplings! I kind of assumed they weren’t that easy to make so I never considered making them at home….thanks so much for changing that!
Liz DellaCroce
They are totally easy to make at home!!! They take a tiny bit of time but it’s oddly soothing and relaxing. :) Enjoy!!
Susan
Liz, I’m with you on the Asian food, and my husband’s tastes are more, shall we say, mundane? However, yesterday we were talking about excursions for our upcoming cruise, and he decided that he is willing to do a Thai cooking class with me, even though he’s not big on Thai food. Who knows, maybe we’ll find something from Thai cuisine that he likes…
These dumplings sound wonderful. But they would be an entree for me, because of the calorie count. I’m not sure I’ll get them made, but I’m definitely saving the recipe.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so jealous of your cruise and your Thai cooking class!!!!! Please let me know how it is!!! Enjoy!
Susan
The cooking class won’t be until about the middle of March next year, when we get to Phuket. I will do my best to remember to let you know about it.
Susan
Liz, I just came across the email where I promised to tell you about the Thai cooking class, and it dawned on me that I should ask you if you would like to receive my email updates from our trip. Depending on how many places we visit close together, I usually send out an update once or twice a week. Let me know.
Liz DellaCroce
Yes please!! :-)
Susan
Done!
Norma | Allspice and Nutmeg
They look so good! I am liking your Asian recipes.
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much – I could eat Asian food every day. :)
Emah LJUBA
Ooo, Liz, the recipe sounds divoon. Since pork can’t be used,what would work as a optimal ??substitute
Liz DellaCroce
You could use ground chicken! Would work perfectly!! Love you!
ashley - Baker by Nature
I love dumplings!!! I need to make some asap!
Liz DellaCroce
I could eat dumplings every day! I’ll trade you for cookies. :)
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
You know I am right there with you regarding Asian food. YUM!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
I know you are sista!! :)
Jennifer
What would happen if I left the corn starch out?
Liz DellaCroce
The corn starch helps absolute some of the water released from the cabbage. You want a dry filling mixture so the dumplings don’t get watery or soak through the wrapper. That being said, you could always shred the cabbage, salt it and let it sit then soak up the water with a hand towel or paper towel before adding everything else. :)
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
You are my soul food, sista!! These are going down after I get back from Iowa!!
Liz DellaCroce
hahah I know it!! Have so much fun in Iowa!! Can’t wait to follow along virtually!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
I totally want these! I had pork dumplings once many years ago and LOVED them… I’m in love with these cute little bundles {and the dipping sauce, I mean HELLO!?}!
Liz DellaCroce
I’m such a sucker for good dipping sauce!!!
Carrian
These look amazing! I’ll have to try these!
Liz DellaCroce
The kiddos would love these Carrian!! They’re the perfect one-two bite. :)
Ali @ Inspiralized
Oh my word… these look so delicious! You make it look so easy to make, I’ll have to try!
Liz DellaCroce
Thanks so much Ali – let me know if you try them! They are definitely easy to make, PROMISE!
Erin | The Law Student's WIfe
I just love, love, love dumplings, but we always save them for when we go out. Now I’m feeling pumped up to make them at home!
Liz DellaCroce
Dude. Same here. I always order them out but the time came for me to tackle them at home and I can’t believe how easy they are!