Homemade pork dumplings are restaurant-quality potstickers that you can make quick and easy in your own kitchen. They have the perfect crispy bottoms with a tender and juicy pork filling inside. This popular flavorful Asian appetizer is much easier to make at home that you think — you’ll never need to buy pre-made frozen dumplings again! Plus, they freeze really well making it the perfect quick meal to enjoy on a busy day.
Why You'll Love Pork Dumplings (Gyoza)
- They’re so easy to make. When you eat a dumpling, you might think that it looked really complicated and hard to make. Well, you’ll be surprised just how easy pork dumplings actually are to make. Just mix the filling, fold the dumplings, and fry or freeze them. Once you fold a couple, you will get the hang of it and the rest are a breeze.
- Dumplings are quicker to make than you think. These pork potstickers take jusy 30 minutes to make. Quick meals are the best kind when you need convenience. You only need half an hour to make these pork dumplings from start to finish. And, if you’re freezing them for later, that time cuts down to about 20 minutes.
- They’ll save you money. It’s so much cheaper to make homemade dumplings than purchasing them frozen at the grocery store or from a restaurant.
- You can freeze them for later. I can’t emphasize this enough. Meal prepping gyoza is the best decision you can make because it’s a quick and easy meal that can feed you for weeks or months. You put in the work now and enjoy later.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these delicious Chinese pork dumplings, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):
- ground pork - you could also turn this into beef gyoza by using ground beef, or other flavors by using ground turkey or beef.
- egg - helps to bind the filling together.
- ginger
- soy sauce - or substitute with oyster sauce.
- Shaoxing cooking wine
- sesame oil
- salt
- pepper - feel free to use ground black pepper or white pepper for a more authentic flavor.
- Chinese chives
- round dumpling wrappers
- vegetable oil and water - for "steam-frying".
- white sesame seeds - for garnish.
- green onions - for garnish.
- vinegar dipping sauce - black vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions.
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and a 10-inch skillet.
How to Make the Best Pork Dumplings
In a large mixing bowl, add ground pork, egg, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, sesame oil, salt and pepper. Stir with a spatula until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes (or overnight in the refrigerator) to soak in all the flavours. Then, stir in the chives until evenly mixed.
How to Wrap Dumplings or Gyoza
- Prepare a small bowl of water for dipping your fingers into. Take one dumpling wrapper at a time and place it in your palm. Dip your finger into water and smear it along the edge of the wrapper.
- Transfer a tablespoon of filling into the centre. Fold the wrapper over into a half-moon shape, and enclose the filling inside. Press the edges together to seal, or pleat the edges together with your finger. Place the dumpling on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Repeat with all dumplings. Cover with a tea towel to prevent the wrappers from drying out.
How to Pan-Fry Pork Dumplings
- Fry the bottoms. Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick frying pan (I used a 10-inch skillet) until hot, about 3 minutes. Place a batch of 15 dumplings on the pan and place them approximately ½-inch apart to make sure that they don't stick together. Cook for 3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown. (To get all sides crispy rather than just the bottom like we did, then cook on both sides until golden and crispy).
- Add water to steam. Add water into the pan to cover half of the dumplings' height (½-inch deep). The water should start sizzling and boiling immediately. Cover with the lid and cook for 7-8 minutes until almost all the water has evaporated.
- Absorb water. Remove the lid and lower the temperature to medium heat. Cook for another 2 minutes until all water has been absorbed. The bottom of the dumplings should be crispy.
- Repeat. Repeat the same steps for another batch of 15 dumplings.
How to Serve Pork Dumplings
Serve pork dumplings with a vinegar dipping sauce. To make the sauce, combine black vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and green onions in a small mixing bowl. You can also add some Sriracha for a spicy kick. Then, transfer the crispy dumplings onto a plate and sprinkle some sesame seeds and green onions on top.
Make Ahead and Storing Instructions
- How to make ahead/meal prep frozen dumplings: You’ll love these pork dumplings the day you make them and weeks after — if you freeze them. But don’t cook the dumplings. Instead, place dumplings in a single layer on a large half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper with enough space between them so that none of the dumplings are touching. Freeze them for an hour up to overnight, then transfer the frozen dumplings to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Eat within 3-4 months.
- How to make steamed dumplings: To make steamed dumplings instead of potstickers, simply place the uncooked dumplings on a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Steam for 15-20 minutes until tender.
- How to store fried dumplings: Allow the fried potstickers to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
- How to reheat dumplings: If cooked, reheat dumplings in a pan with just a splash of water. If uncooked or frozen, cook dumplings according to recipe instructions.
- How to cook from frozen: You can cook these gyoza straight from the freezer. Follow the same steps in this recipe, but when you cover and cook until the water has evaporated, then add another ¼ cup of water and cover. Keep cooking until water almost evaporates, about 5 more minutes.
More Dumpling Recipes
- 25 Best Dim Sum Recipes
- Beef Potstickers (Dumplings)
- Egg and Chive Vegetarian Dumplings
- Chicken and Cilantro Wontons
- Beef Dumplings with Celery
- Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings
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Pork Dumplings
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 50 dumplings
Description
Homemade pork dumplings are quick and easy to make, with perfect crispy bottoms and a tender, juicy pork filling inside. Easy to meal prep and freeze well.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or oyster sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or white pepper
- 3 cups Chinese chives, finely chopped
- 1 (50-piece) package round dumpling wrappers
For Pan-Frying:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup cold water (more or less depending on size of pan)
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon green onions, finely chopped (for garnish)
For the Vinegar Dipping Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons black vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon green onions, sliced
Instructions
Make the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, add ground pork, egg, ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Stir with a spatula until evenly combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic cling wrap and marinate for at least 20 minutes (up to overnight) in the refrigerator to soak in all the flavours.
- Stir in chives until evenly mixed.
Wrap the Dumplings:
- Prepare a small bowl of water for dipping your fingers into. Take one dumpling wrapper at a time and place it in your palm. Dip your finger into water and smear it along the edge of the wrapper.
- Transfer a tablespoon of filling into the centre. Fold the wrapper over into a half-moon shape, and enclose the filling inside. Press the edges together to seal, or pleat the edges together with your finger. Place the dumpling on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Repeat with all dumplings. Cover with a tea towel to prevent the wrappers from drying out.
Pan-Fry the Dumplings:
- Heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large non-stick frying pan until hot, about 3 minutes. Place a batch of 15 dumplings on the pan and place them approximately ½-inch apart to make sure that they don't stick together. Cook for 3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown. (To get all sides crispy rather than just the bottom like we did, then cook on both sides until golden and crispy).
- Add water into the pan to cover half of the dumplings' height (½-inch deep). The water should start sizzling and boiling immediately. Cover with the lid and cook for 7-8 minutes until almost all the water has evaporated.
- Remove the lid and lower the temperature to medium heat. Cook for another 2 minutes until all water has been absorbed. The bottom of the dumplings should be crispy.
- Repeat the same steps for another batch of 15 dumplings.
Serve the Dumplings:
- In a small bowl, make the vinegar dipping sauce by combining black vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and green onions. You can also add some Sriracha for a spicy kick.
- Transfer the crispy dumplings onto a plate and sprinkle some sesame seeds and green onions on top. Serve with the homemade vinegar dipping sauce.
Notes
How to make ahead/meal prep frozen dumplings: You’ll love these pork dumplings the day you make them and weeks after — if you freeze them. But don’t cook the dumplings. Instead, place dumplings in a single layer on a large half sheet baking pan lined with parchment paper with enough space between them so that none of the dumplings are touching. Freeze them for an hour up to overnight, then transfer the frozen dumplings to a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Eat within 3-4 months.
How to make steamed dumplings: To make steamed dumplings instead of potstickers, simply place the uncooked dumplings on a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Steam for 15-20 minutes until tender.
How to store fried dumplings: Allow the fried dumplings to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.
How to reheat dumplings: If cooked, reheat dumplings in a pan with just a splash of water. If uncooked or frozen, cook dumplings according to recipe instructions.
How to cook from frozen: You can cook these dumplings straight from the freezer. Follow the same steps in this recipe, but when you cover and cook until the water has evaporated, then add another ¼ cup of water and cover. Keep cooking until water almost evaporates, about 5 more minutes.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Marinate Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes (each batch)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: pork dumplings, pork potstickers, pork gyoza, chinese dumplings, chinese pork dumplings
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