Perfect Homemade Pork Dumplings Recipe Easy Step by Step for Chinese New Year Celebration
This recipe delivers juicy, flavorful pork dumplings with a perfect balance of ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, ideal for Chinese New Year celebrations or any gathering.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 40 dumplings (about 6-8 servings) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground pork, ideally 80% lean
- 1 cup Napa cabbage, finely chopped and squeezed dry
- 3 stalks green onions, finely sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- About 40 round dumpling wrappers, 3-4 inches diameter
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped water chestnuts
- Optional for dipping: chili oil or vinegar
Instructions
- Finely chop 1 cup Napa cabbage, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture. Squeeze dry using a clean kitchen towel or paper towel.
- In a large bowl, combine ground pork, squeezed cabbage, green onions, garlic, and ginger. Add soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Place a dumpling wrapper on a clean surface and keep the rest covered with a damp towel.
- Dip your finger in water and moisten the edge of the wrapper. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center. Fold the wrapper in half and pinch edges to seal. Pleat edges if desired. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
- For pan-frying: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place dumplings flat side down and cook 2-3 minutes until bottoms are golden brown. Add 1/4 cup water, cover immediately, and steam for 5-6 minutes until cooked through.
- Alternatively, steam dumplings for 8-10 minutes or boil in salted water until they float.
- Transfer dumplings to a plate and serve hot with dipping sauce made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, and chili oil.
Notes
Keep wrappers covered with a damp towel to prevent drying. Do not overfill wrappers to avoid tearing. Let filling rest for better flavor melding. Freeze uncooked dumplings on a tray before storing to prevent sticking. Pan-frying then steaming yields crispy bottoms and tender tops. Use tamari and gluten-free wrappers for gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 dumpling (about 25
- Calories: 55
- Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 3
Keywords: pork dumplings, homemade dumplings, Chinese New Year recipe, potstickers, easy dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, steamed dumplings