Chinese Beef Dumplings with Celery

These plump Chinese Beef Dumplings are filled with juicy ground beef, finely chopped celery, and a blend of aromatic seasonings that pack every bite with savory, umami goodness. They are bursting with flavor and make the perfect appetizer, snack, or main dish. One batch makes enough for a small army, so you'll have leftovers for days!

We love making homemade dumplings, whether they're for special occasions or just because, and I have a collection of dumpling recipes to prove it! These beef and celery dumplings are one of our all-time family favorites! The filling comes together in just moments, and you can cook the dumplings using three methods including steamed, boiled, or pan-fried — and they’re just as delicious steamed as they are pan-fried. Everyone loves them, from kids to seasoned dumpling enthusiasts!

Why You'll Love These Chinese Beef Dumplings

• Super simple recipe. Since the meat will be cooked in the steaming process, you don't have to spend any time cooking it before hand. This means you can simply add all of the filling ingredients together and start shaping!
• Great for special occasions. We often make dumplings for Chinese New Year as they symbolize abundance and prosperity. They're also a nice touch when we have friends or family over, especially on those cold winter days!
• Freeze extras for later. Did you know you can freeze your uncooked dumplings and cook them from frozen? Game changer! Since one batch makes one hundred dumplings, this is a great way to put them all to use!

Ingredient Notes

To make this delicious Chinese Beef Dumplings, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• ground beef - make sure it is fully thawed for even mixing. 
• Chinese celery - Chinese celery is more aromatic than regular celery and is commonly available at Asian grocery stores. 
• corn - use either fresh or frozen kernels. 
• egg - to bind the filling together. 
• soy sauce - for a savory flavor. Light soy sauce works great. 
• Chinese cooking wine - this will add a sweet, tangy flavor after it cooks down. 
• sesame oil - this is optional but adds a great flavor.
• salt
• sugar - a little sweetness to balance out the flavors
• dumpling wrappers -  I usually buy store-bought wrappers for convenience, but homemade dumpling dough is a nice touch for special occasions. 

You will also need a large bowl, spoon, a small dish of water, fork, sheet pan or plates, and cooking equipment (large skillet, steamer pot, or large pot). 

How to Make the Best Chinese Beef Dumplings

First, combine the ingredients.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients including ground beef, celery, corn, egg, soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, salt, and sugar. Mix well until fully combined.

Next, let's learn how to fold dumplings.

Folding a dumpling for the first time, may seem pretty intimating. But once you try a few and get the hang of it, you will find that it is actually super easy. You just need to follow these simple steps:

1. Add filling. Scoop a spoonful of the mixture into the centre of a dumpling wrapper.
2. Wet edges. Dip your finger in water and smear along the edges of the dumpling wrapper.
3. Fold. Fold the dumpling wrapper over to create a half-moon shape, enclosing the filling inside.

4. Seal. Seal the filling inside by pleating the edges together with your finger or pinch the edges together with a fork.

5. Repeat. Repeat until all the mixture and dumpling wrappers are used up.

Lastly, let's cook the dumplings.

There are three main ways to cook these dumplings: fry them in a pan (to create potstickers), steam them, or boil them.

1. Pan-fry: In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat. Add some dumplings and cook 2-3 minutes until the bottom is crisp and golden. Add water (enough to cover the dumplings halfway up), cover, and steam the dumplings for about 5 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.

2. Steam: In a pot, bring water to boil . Place dumplings in steamer on top and steam for 15 to 20 minutes until tender.
3. Boil: Fill a large pot with ⅔ water and bring to a boil. Add dumplings and cook until they float and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes.

Repeat with remaining dumplings or store uncooked dumplings in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Serve

These Chinese Beef Dumplings are delicious served on its own with soy sauce, chili oil, or vinegar for dipping, or as part of a larger dim sum appetizer spread along with other favorites such as:

• Crispy Bottom Shanghai Pan-Fried Pork Buns
• Spicy Chili Oil Wontons
• Vegetarian Spring Rolls
• Steamed Scallion Buns
• Savoury Chive Pancakes with Sourdough Starter
• Shanghai Style Vegetarian Steamed Buns

For more recipes, see our 25 Best Dim Sum Recipes.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover uncooked dumplings in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 days. If cooked, they can last for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

Cooked dumplings can be microwaved or steamed in a covered skillet with a splash of water.

How to Freeze

You can freeze uncooked dumplings and cook on another day. To freeze, place the uncooked dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 1-2 hours until hard. Then, transfer the dumplings into airtight ziploc bags or a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Frozen dumplings can be cooked directly from frozen following the instructions above. If pan-frying, add an extra ¼ cup of water after the water evaporates and steam for an additional 5 minutes. 

FAQ

More Dumpling Recipes

• Beef Potstickers (Dumplings)
• Egg and Chive Vegetarian Dumplings
• Chicken Potstickers
• Pork Dumplings
• Vegetable Dumplings
• Kimchi Dumplings

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