Step-by-step instructions for making delicious pork dumplings. They are easier to make than you might expect and cook in five minutes.
Sauce for Pork Dumplings
Make the dipping sauce before making the dumplings so it can sit long enough for the flavors to mix. This dip is heated to melt the sugar. However, if you make it in advance, you can skip heating the ingredients and let the sugar naturally dissolve.
Use Ground Pork
This recipe uses plain ground pork (minced meat) that doesn’t have seasonings. Be careful not to confuse it with Italian pork sausage that has spices.
Wonton Wrappers for Pork Dumplings
Use round or square wonton wrappers for this recipe. I prefer round wrappers but usually shop in an Asian market to find them. Square wrappers are more readily available in the produce section of grocery stores. You can keep extra packs of wrappers in the freezer.
Keep the Wrappers From Drying Out
Wonton wrappers dry out quickly, so keep them in a sealed bag or place a wet paper towel on them to keep them fresh.
Steps for Making Pork Dumplings
Boil water in a large pot while you prepare the dumplings. Then reduce it to a simmer to cook them. They will cook quickly, but test one to determine if the pork is cooked before serving them. Pork should be cooked to 160 degrees F.
Folding the Wrappers for Pork Dumplings
There are many ways to fold dumplings wrappers. Some are elaborate, and some are simple. Here is one easy method.
Make all the Pork Dumplings Before Cooking
This recipe makes a lot of dumplings, and they cook quickly. Therefore make all the dumplings before you start cooking them. You can save the leftover pork mixture and wrappers to make the next day. Cover the pork and store it in the refrigerator. It is best to use it within a day or two. Then place the wrappers into a resealable plastic bag or a container with a tight-fitting lid and store them in the refrigerator.
Cooking the Dumplings
Use simmering water to cook the dumplings. They will cook in 4-6 minutes, and you can cook several at once.
Dunk them in dipping sauce and enjoy!
Other Chinese-Inspired Recipes You Might Like
- Chinese-Style Lemon Chicken
- Beef with Garlic Sauce
- Spicy Stir-Fry Green Beans
- Orange Chicken
- Chinese Almond Cookies
Easy-to-Make Pork Dumplings
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce (see note below if substituting low sodium sauce)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon green onions, thinly sliced (use the dark green part)
Filling
- ½ pound ground pork
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
- ½ cup green cabbage, minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (only use the white and light green parts)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 large egg white
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 package round wonton wrappers (can use square wrappers)
- 1 small bowl cold water
Instructions
Sauce
- Add all the sauce ingredients except the green onions in a small pan. Stir and heat until the sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool. Place in a small bowl and garnish with green onions. (Alternative method: Place all the ingredients except the green onions in a bowl. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Let the sauce sit for a while to let the flavors mix.)
Filling
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
- Add the pork ginger, cabbage, garlic, onions, soy sauce, egg white, and salt to a medium-sized bowl. Stir together until well mixed.
- Place a wonton wrapper on a flat surface. Add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of pork filling to the middle of the wrapper. Be careful not to overfill it. Dip your finger in the (bowl of) water and then wet the outer edge of the wonton. Dry your fingertip.
- Fold the wonton wrapper over and line up the sides. Press the middle outer edge to seal the wrapper at the top.
- Make a fold toward the middle on the right side; press to secure it. Make a fold on the left side. Squeeze to seal this fold. Seal the entire dumpling by squeezing from the middle top to the bottom on each side.
- Place wontons on a platter and cover them with plastic wrap. Continue until all the wontons are made.
- Add the wontons to the boiling water. Simmer them until they are cooked, about 4-6 minutes, and the pork has an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. Strain the wontons and place them on a clean serving platter. Serve them with the dipping sauce.