Pork dumplings, also known as potstickers, are a delicious and popular dish in many Asian cuisines. Made with a filling of ground pork and various seasonings, these dumplings are typically steamed or pan-fried to perfection. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, making pork dumplings at home is a fun and rewarding cooking project.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make homemade pork dumplings, you will need a few key ingredients. Start by gathering fresh ground pork, garlic, ginger, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cabbage. You will also need dumpling wrappers, which can be found in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores or made from scratch using a simple flour and water dough.

Preparing the Filling

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Begin by mincing the garlic, ginger, and green onions. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, minced garlic and ginger, chopped green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Next, finely shred the cabbage and squeeze out any excess moisture. Add the shredded cabbage to the pork mixture and mix until well combined.

TIP: For an extra kick of flavor, you can also add additional ingredients to your filling, such as mushrooms, carrots, or water chestnuts. Be creative and experiment with different combinations!

Step-by-step guide to cooking pork dumplings

If you’re a fan of dumplings, you’ll love this step-by-step guide to cooking delicious pork dumplings. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a savory snack, these dumplings are sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of ground pork
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 30-40 dumpling wrappers
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, combine the ground pork, minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped green onions, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  2. Take a dumpling wrapper and place a spoonful of the pork mixture in the center.
  3. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water to help seal the dumpling.
  4. Fold the dumpling in half, creating a half-moon shape, and then press the edges together to seal. If desired, you can also create pleats along the edge for a more decorative look.
  5. Repeat steps 2-4 until all the pork mixture is used and you have made all the dumplings.
  6. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  7. Add the dumplings to the skillet, making sure they are not touching each other.
  8. Cook the dumplings until the bottoms are golden brown, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Once the bottoms are golden brown, carefully add 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and cover immediately.
  10. Cook the dumplings for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the dumplings are cooked through.
  11. Remove the dumplings from the skillet and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Enjoy your homemade pork dumplings!

Shop for Ingredients

Before you start cooking pork dumplings, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here are the items you’ll need to shop for:

1. Dumpling Wrappers

Look for dumpling wrappers at your local Asian grocery store. They are usually found in the refrigerated section. You can also make your own wrappers if you prefer.

2. Ground Pork

You’ll need fresh ground pork for the filling. You can find it at most supermarkets or butcher shops.

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3. Napa Cabbage

Napa cabbage adds a nice crunch to the filling. Look for fresh, crisp heads of Napa cabbage at your grocery store or farmer’s market.

4. Green Onions

Green onions add a fresh and savory flavor to the filling. You can find them in the produce section of your local grocery store.

5. Garlic

Fresh garlic cloves will give the filling a delicious aromatic flavor. Pick up some garlic bulbs at your grocery store.

6. Ginger

Fresh ginger adds a spicy and fragrant taste to the filling. Look for ginger root in the produce section of your grocery store.

7. Soy Sauce

You’ll need soy sauce for the dipping sauce. Look for a quality soy sauce brand in the Asian food section of your grocery store.

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8. Sesame Oil

Sesame oil will give the filling a rich and nutty flavor. You can find it in the oil aisle of your grocery store.

9. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is used in the dipping sauce to add tanginess. Look for rice vinegar in the vinegar section of your grocery store.

Once you have all these ingredients, you’ll be ready to start cooking your delicious pork dumplings!

Prepare the filling

Before making pork dumplings, it’s important to prepare the filling. The filling is what gives the dumplings their flavor and texture. Follow these steps to prepare the filling:

Ingredients:

  • 500g ground pork
  • 1 cup chopped cabbage
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, chopped cabbage, green onions, minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
  2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  3. After the filling has marinated, take it out of the refrigerator and give it a final mix.
  4. Your pork dumpling filling is now ready to be used.
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Make sure to follow these steps carefully to ensure that your pork dumplings turn out delicious and flavorful.

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Make the dumpling wrappers

To make the dumpling wrappers, you will need:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup hot water

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.

2. Gradually add the hot water to the flour mixture while stirring with a fork.

3. Once the water is fully absorbed, knead the dough with your hands for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Divide the dough into small portions and roll each portion into a ball.

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5. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball into a thin circle about 3 inches in diameter.

6. Place a spoonful of the pork filling onto the center of each wrapper.

7. Fold the wrapper in half and press the edges together to seal the dumpling.

Your homemade dumpling wrappers are now ready to be filled with delicious pork filling and cooked to perfection.

Assemble the dumplings

To assemble the pork dumplings, you’ll need the following ingredients:

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  • Wonton wrappers
  • Pork filling
  • Water for sealing

To start, place a wonton wrapper on a clean work surface. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the pork filling into the center of the wrapper.

To seal the dumplings, dip your finger into the water and run it along the edges of the wrapper. This will help the wrapper stick together when folded.

Next, fold the wonton wrapper in half to create a triangle. Press the edges firmly to seal the dumpling.

To add an extra touch to your dumplings, you can pleat the edges. Starting at one corner of the triangle, use your fingers to pinch and fold the wrapper, creating small pleats along the edge. Press the pleats together to seal the dumpling.

Repeat this process with the remaining wonton wrappers and pork filling.

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Once you’ve assembled all the dumplings, you can either cook them immediately or freeze them for later use. If freezing, place the dumplings in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer the frozen dumplings to an airtight container or zip-top bag.

Now that you know how to assemble the pork dumplings, you’re ready to move on to the next step: cooking them!

Cook the dumplings

Once the dumplings are assembled, it’s time to cook them. Whether you choose to steam, boil, or pan-fry them, the cooking process is relatively quick and straightforward. Below, you’ll find instructions for each method:

Steaming method

To steam the dumplings, follow these steps:

  1. Line a bamboo or metal steamer basket with cabbage leaves or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Arrange the dumplings in a single layer, leaving some space between them to ensure even cooking.
  3. Place the steamer basket over a pot or wok of boiling water and cover with a lid.
  4. Steam the dumplings for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the wrappers are translucent and the filling is cooked through.
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Boiling method

If you prefer boiled dumplings, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil.
  2. Add the dumplings to the boiling water and gently stir so they don’t stick to the bottom.
  3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook the dumplings for about 6-8 minutes or until they float to the surface.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked dumplings from the pot and serve.

Pan-frying method

To achieve crispy and golden dumplings, try pan-frying them:

  1. Heat some oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Place the dumplings in the pan, leaving space between them.
  3. Fry the dumplings for about 2-3 minutes or until the bottoms are nicely browned.
  4. Pour a small amount of water into the pan, cover with a lid, and let the dumplings steam for another 5-6 minutes.
  5. Remove the lid and continue cooking until the water has evaporated and the bottoms of the dumplings are crisp.
  6. Serve the pan-fried dumplings immediately.

Whichever cooking method you choose, it’s important to keep an eye on the dumplings to prevent them from overcooking or sticking to the cooking surface. Once they are cooked to your desired texture, remove them from the heat and serve hot.

Steaming method Boiling method Pan-frying method
10-12 minutes 6-8 minutes 2-3 minutes frying + 5-6 minutes steaming

FAQ

What ingredients do I need to make pork dumplings?

To make pork dumplings, you will need ground pork, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and wonton wrappers.

Can I use a different type of meat instead of pork?

Yes, you can use a different type of meat such as chicken or beef instead of pork to make dumplings. However, the taste and texture may differ slightly.

How long do I need to cook pork dumplings?

Pork dumplings usually take about 10-15 minutes to cook. You can steam, boil, or pan-fry them depending on your preference.

Can I freeze pork dumplings?

Yes, you can freeze pork dumplings. After assembling the dumplings, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for about 1 hour. Then, transfer them into a freezer bag or container for long-term storage.

What dipping sauce is best for pork dumplings?

There are many dipping sauces that work well with pork dumplings. Some popular options include soy sauce, black vinegar, chili oil, and a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.