Fill your craving for Pork Dumplings by making them at home!
This recipe is not only easy to make, but it also uses simple ingredients with heaps of flavor! Simply mix the filling, wrap them up, pan-fry and enjoy!
Homemade Dumplings are Easy!
Dumplings can seem intimidating but they aren’t difficult to make. I admit they do take a bit of time to make (like wonton soup or any kind of filled dumpling really) but following the steps below anyone can do it!
These really are the best dumplings without a huge list of fussy ingredients (most are things you know)! No need to buy packages of things you’ll never use again.
Fresh ginger adds lots of flavors while ground pork flavorful adding just the right amount of moisture to the mixture. Customize the filling with whatever you’d like!
Ingredients/Variations
This recipe uses ingredients you are familiar with like ground pork, fresh ginger, and cabbage and they’re wrapped in dumpling wrappers.
PORK
Ground pork is my favorite dumpling filling but of course, you can use other ground meats as well. Choose one with a mild flavor so you don’t overpower the other flavors in the filling. I’ve made this recipe with ground chicken successfully as well.
CABBAGE
Cabbage adds bulk and texture to the mixture. My choice is napa cabbage but if you don’t have any, you can use coleslaw mix as well. Mix the cabbage with salt and let it sit, this will release all of the water. Next, squeeze out as much water as you can.
FLAVORS
Fresh ginger (and garlic) costs very little and adds heaps of flavor to stir fries, egg rolls, and more! If I have extra, I sometimes toss it into the freezer whole and grate it right from frozen for recipes and soups.
DUMPLING WRAPPERS
I personally like to purchase the wrappers since it saves a step but you also make wrappers at home. If purchasing, be sure you’re getting wrappers for dumplings, not wontons as wonton wrappers are thinner.
How to Make Pork Dumplings
Pork Filling
Making the filling is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
- Toss cabbage with salt and set aside.
- Combine the rest of the filling ingredients (per recipe below).
- Squeeze liquid from the cabbage, chop finely, and add to the filling mixture.
Set out wonton wrappers and place a scoop of filling in the center of each wrapper.
How to Fold Dumplings
While this may seem the tricky part it is actually quite simple to do!
- The best way to prepare the dumplings is to fold one edge over the filling.
- Moisten the bottom edge and then crimp the edges to seal the dumpling.
Be sure not to over moisten the wrapper. This will help it to hold its shape!
Make Ahead & Freeze for Quick Meals
Make these dumplings ahead of time and freeze dumplings in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. When frozen, store them in a zippered bag labeled with the date on it.
Cook as directed below adding a couple of extra minutes if cooking from frozen.
Take-Out at Home
- Sesame Chicken – tender & delicious
- Egg Drop Soup – 20 minute meal
- Easy Mongolian Beef – take out favorite!
- Kung Pao Shrimp– family favorite
- Easy Fried Rice – easy to make!
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Homemade Chow Mein– 30 min meal!
Did you enjoy these homemade Pork Dumplings? Be sure to leave a rating and comment below!
Pork Dumplings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 30 dumpling wrappers
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
Filling
- 3 cups napa cabbage finely shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces ground pork
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons rice wine
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
- 4 green onions very finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add remaining filling ingredients to a bowl and mix well.
- Remove cabbage from the bowl and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Finely chop and add to pork and mix well.
- Lay out 3 dumpling wrappers and place 1 tablespoon filling in each. Lightly rub the edges of the dumpling with water.
- Fold the dumpling over the filling. Crimp the dumpling edges closed so it has pleats. Place on a parchment lined pan. Repeat with remaining filling.
To Cook Dumplings
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil over medium heat in a non-stick skillet.
- Place dumplings, flat sides down in the skillet. Cook until lightly browned on one side.
- Add 1/2 cup water to the pan, cover and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook 6-7 minutes or until water has evaporated and dumplings are cooked through.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Asian© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Made tonight with my daughters. Could only find wonton wrappers at the store, and did not have time to make dumpling wrappers. Came out great! Very nice flavor! My question is to save time and stove space, can these be steamed in a pressure cooker, ie instant pot?
While I have never tried that Kyrsten, I’d think it would work. Let us know if you do try it!
These are perfect. Not too strongly favored, but well seasoned. Easy to make and not too many ingredients. This filling also makes delicious patties, if you run out of wrappers or are feeling lazy. Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
I think your nutrition is off. I find it very hard to believe that food containing 8 oz of pork only has 2g protein..
The nutrition information is per dumpling and since this makes 30 dumplings, each dumpling contains 0.27 oz of pork which is a small amount. That being said, we use a program to calculate an estimate for nutrition and it can vary. If you are looking for precise information I would suggest using a calculator you are familiar with and entering the information from the actual brands you use. Hope that helps.
My kiddo and I are going to try and make these this coming weekend. Do you have a rice wine you could recommend? Is it available at any liquor store or is it special order? Thanks.
Hi Victoria, rice wine is a cooking wine that you can usually find in your local grocery store. It is near the oils and vinegar in our grocery store.
I just used Mirin from the grocery store. Works great! Check the Asian section.
Does it matter if I use regular sesame oil instead of toasted? Thank you so much want to try to make them today. My 5 y.o has been wanted dumplings for a while now. Hope he likes them
Regular sesame oil will work!
Hello! Our family tried this recipe tonight! The flavour was definitely rocking! Our biggest question is about the texture of the finished product of the dumpling wrapper – the cooked wrapper came out almost slimy or floppy and slippery almost? We’ve only tried frozen dumplings before, so we don’t have necessarily the best gauge on what to expect. Can you possibly guide us in the right direction on what we did wrong or perhaps if this is the typical texture?
Otherwise, again, flavour was scrumptious!
I can’t say for sure, it could be the brand or possibly that there was too much water in the cooking process. Were they dumpling (and not wonton) wrappers?
Can I use wonton wrappers? I can not find dumpling wrappers anywhere near me.
Hi Alyssa, wonton wrappers should work in a pinch. They do not pleat as nicely but they should still seal well enough.
Do I reduce the amount of water if cooking less dumplings and freezing the rest?
You can reduce the water slightly if your pan is smaller. You want enough water to allow the pan to steam.
I’m wondering how to make the dipping sauce for the dumplings?
Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!!
I usually mix 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon hoisin, 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil and a dash of sriracha or chili paste such as sambal oelek.
I was looking for dumplings recipe to give it a try for the first time, and I found this. I can’t wait to give it a try. This recipe sounds so easy and delicious. Thanks!
These turn out so perfect and delicious every time that I make them. This recipe made the process so easy and I enjoy them so much more that the restaurant version.
Yum, we love pork dumplings and make them often at home. Yours sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try it!
Dumplings are my weakness, I love them and have never attempted to make them because I feel intimidated. Your recipe gives me hope! I am going to try, they look fabulous and I bet they taste amazing too. Thanks for the great detailed recipe!
Looks like pierogies! My family recipe for the wrapper which can be used for these is 2C of flour, .5C of water, 1tsp of lemon juice, 1 egg, 1tbsp of backing powder. I like to blend the liquids first and add the baking powder and then the flour.
Love the site and these recipes!
Thanks for sharing Justin!
These pork dumplings look incredible and the colour on them makes my mouth drool! I have all the ingrediants for these, so im planning on making them for dinner tonight. I really cant wait to make them! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
I never made pork dumplings at home and, after reading this post, I’m dying to! I will give this recipe a try asap! Thanks for sharing
Making dumplings does sound intimidating but you have made this recipe so approachable! Excited to give this a try!
I’ve always wanted to make pork dumplings but was a bit intimidated. I followed your instructions exactly and they came out perfectly. My daughter and family were here to enjoy them and they preferred them to their favorite Asian restaurant.
These were so tasty! I’ve always purchased the frozen ones in the past but you’ve made me a convert to making and freezing my own, so much better!
I really enjoyed your version of Pork Dumplings. The recipe was very easy to follow and tasted great. Saving this recipe to make again.
Thank you Heidy!