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The Easiest Homemade Pork Dumplings Recipe

Published: Jun 29, 2021 by Katie Hale · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

My mouth waters just thinking about the perfectly seasoned pork mixture inside the pillowy dough. A homemade pork dumplings recipe is something everyone needs in their recipe collection. This dumpling is simple, tender, and delicious. Sure to be a new family favorite.

Wooden chopsticks holding dumpling up above white plate of cooked dumplings

Pork Dumplings Recipe

You may think that a dumpling is a dumpling, but you are wrong. There are many varieties of dumplings, buns, and potstickers in Asian cuisine that are filled with savory mixtures and tender dough. This version, while rolled into what many would call a potsticker, is still a dumpling in name.

If you like Asian cuisine, this is a perfect starter for any meal. While this version is modeled after one common in China, you may also find similar options in Japanese and Korean menus. The filling is the main difference, and this one sticks with traditional pork and greens for the classic flavor you desire.

Round board with dumplings on top by chopsticks and square bowl of soy sauce

Do You Put Raw Pork in Dumplings?

Yes. This recipe is made with raw pork filling that is then steamed or fried before serving. Don't worry, it is such a small amount per dumpling that it easily cooks through so you aren't serving a raw filling.

Long black tray of dumplings on green and white tablecloth

Can I Make Dumplings with Different Fillings?

Yes. While this pork filling is very traditional, you will find many variations for dumplings.

Some of the more common options would be a vegetarian mixture of just greens and mushrooms, or in some cases shrimp or chicken. Below are a few different options for stuffing into your dumpling wrapper.

  • Replace the pork with ground chicken, turkey, or shrimp.
  • Add or replace the meat with chopped shitake or button mushrooms.
  • Use Chinese cabbage, ground shrimp, and ginger for a sweet and spicy option.

There are even sweet red bean dumplings that are very popular and just a bit different for adding to your menu.

Cooked pork dumplings lined up on black tray sitting on red table

What Greens Should I Use in Shanghai Dumplings?

This recipe uses a mixed green blend called Shepherd's Purse. This green is from the mustard family and has a unique flavor. You can, of course, use a number of different greens with delicious results. Below are some common choices that may be easier to find in your local grocery store.

  • Napa cabbage
  • Mustard greens
  • Arugula
  • Spinach
  • Endive
  • Dandelion greens
  • Kohlrabi greens
  • Watercress
  • Kale

Are These Pork Dumplings Boiled?

Dumplings can be boiled, steamed, pan-fried, or deep-fried. This recipe shows how to pan-fry for a bit of color then steam to finish cooking.

Any of these methods are fine to use. Just pick what works best for you and what you prefer. When steamed or boiled, the wrapper dough will be softer and more pillowy. Frying the dumplings will add a crisp texture on the outside.

Image from overhead of dumplings on round board sitting on table

What Goes Great with Dumplings?

Dumplings tend to be the ultimate starter for any Asian meal. You may find them alongside a simple stir fry, with fried rice, or as part of a larger meal. They are, most commonly found in the US, as part of an appetizer or starter menu. That doesn't mean that they can't be an entree all by themselves!

Below are some of our favorite Asian recipes that can be great for serving these dumplings alongside.

  • Japanese Clear Soup
  • Chicken Lo Mein
  • Chinese Pork and Shrimp Rice Porridge
  • Thai Drunken Noodles - Pad Kee Mao

They might also go great with one of these recipes that use gochujang or a simple shirataki noodle recipe.

Close image of white plate of dumplings

What Sauces Do I Serve with Dumplings?

Since this recipe is a simple flavor profile, you can easily serve with sauces that add a bit more heat or spice. Of course, a soy or teriyaki sauce is probably something you already have on hand, but you may want to serve with something a bit different.

A dumpling sauce often includes a bit of dark soy sauce, sesame, chili oil, and a bit of garlic or ginger. You can definitely whip up something on your own, or pick from a variety of ready-made sauce options at your local Asian market.

Black slate on red table topped with line of cooked dumplings

Ingredients

  • Shepherd's purse or similar greens
  • Ground pork
  • Shaoxing wine or rice wine
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sesame oil
  • Salt
  • Soy sauce
  • White pepper
  • Dumpling wrappers
  • Water

Handy Kitchen Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stockpot or steamer
  • Large skillet with lid
  • Measuring cups and spoons

How to Make Homemade Pork Dumplings

Bring water to a rolling boil in a large stockpot.

Once boiling, drop the greens into the water and cook for 3 minutes until tender.

Greens in large stockpot

Immediately drain and put into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. Let sit for 3 minutes.

Greens in large bowl of water

Remove the cooled greens from the bowl, and chop into small pieces.

Hand chopping greens on wooden cutting board

In a medium bowl, add the ground pork, chopped greens, sesame oil, salt, pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing or rice wine, and ⅓ cup water. Mix together until well incorporated.

Fork mixing pork and greens in large glass bowl

Dip your finger into water then run that finger along the outer edge of a dumpling wrapper. Don't over do this step, but just add a small bit of moiture on the edges so they seal nicely.

To the center of the dumpling wrapper, add a heaping teaspoon of the pork mixture. Be careful to not overfill the wrappers.

Hand adding pork mixture into dumpling wrapper

Fold the wrapper over into a half-moon shape, then begin folding and pinching the edges over to seal the filling inside.

Hand folding dumpling wrapper over filling

Repeat until all of the filling has been used.

In a large skillet with a lid, add a small amount of vegetable oil and heat over medium heat.

Hand pouring oil into red skillet

Place the dumplings into the hot pan, flat side down, making sure not to crowd the pan.

Hand placing dumplings into red skillet

Cook for 2 minutes, then add ¼ to ⅓ cup water and cover with the lid.

Dumplings in red and black skillet with hand pouring water in side

Steam the dumplings for 5 minutes, until they are golden on the bottom and cooked through.

Hand placing lid over skillet

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

White plate of dumplings in background with chopstick holding dumpling in front

Tips for Making Dumplings Ahead of Time

If making a large batch of dumplings, prepare as directed until cooking. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap, and flash freeze for 2 hours.

Once the dumplings have mostly hardened, remove them from the baking sheet and place them into a freezer storage container or freezer storage bag. They can be frozen for up to 4 months before cooking. When ready to cook them, they can be thawed overnight and cooked as directed, or cooked from the frozen state by par boiling them for 3 minutes before adding to the skillet with oil.

Dumplings on black plate sitting on green checked tablecloth

Homemade Pork Dumplings Recipe

Katie Hale
Follow this tried and true classic homemade pork dumplings recipe to create the ultimate pillowy soft dumpling with a simple but rich pork filling.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 8
Calories 269 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Stockpot
  • Large skilet with lid

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Shepherd's purse or napa cabbage, spinach, or bok choy
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • ⅓ cup Shaoxing wine or rice wine
  • 1.5 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp white pepper or black pepper
  • 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
  • ⅔ cup water divided
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
  • 1 pkg dumpling wrappers 40 to 50 count package

Instructions
 

  • Bring water to a rolling boil in a large stockpot.
  • Once boiling, drop the greens into the water and cook for 3minutes until tender. Immediately drain and put into a bowl of coldwater to stop the cooking process. Let sit for 3 minutes.
  • Remove the cooled greens from the bolw, and chop into smallpieces.
  • In a medium bowl, add the ground pork, chopped greens, sesame oil,salt, pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing or rice wine, and ⅓ cup water.Mix together until well incorporated.
  • Dip your finger into water then run that finger along the outeredge of a dumpling wrapper. Don't over do this step, but just add asmall bit of moiture on the edges so they seal nicely.
  • To the center of the dumpling wrapper, add a heaping teaspoon ofthe pork mixture. Be careful to not overfill the wrappers.
  • Fold the wrapper over into a half-moon shape, then begin foldingand pinching the edges over to seal the filling inside. Repeat until all of the filling has been used.
  • In a large skillet with a lid, add a small amount of vegetable oiland heat over medium heat.
  • Place the dumplings into the hot pan, flat side down, making surenot to crowd the pan.
  • Cook for 2 minutes, then add ¼ to ⅓ cup water and cover withthe lid.
  • Steam the dumplings for 5 minutes, until they are golden on thebottom and cooked through. Continue n batches until all dumplings are cooked. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

If making a large batch of dumplings, prepare as directed until cooking. Place them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Loosely cover with plastic wrap, and flash freeze for 2 hours.
Once the dumplings have mostly hardened, remove them from the baking sheet and place them into a freezer storage container or freezer storage bag. They can be frozen for up to 4 months before cooking. When ready to cook them, they can be thawed overnight and cooked as directed, or cooked from the frozen state by par boiling them for 3 minutes before adding to the skillet with oil.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcalCarbohydrates: 32.7gProtein: 19.8gFat: 6.4gSaturated Fat: 1.6gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 888mgFiber: 1.2gSugar: 4.5g
Keyword Pork Dumpling
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