Perfect Dumplings Everytime: Fillings, Prep, & Sauces
Welcome to the ultimate MAKE YOUR OWN DUMPLING GUIDE! Dumplings can really be a choose-your-own-adventure meal! Today, I’m excited to share 4 fillings, 3 cooking methods, and a few key sauce ingredients for ENDLESS flavor combinations! These fail-proof dumpling recipes are sure to add a little extra luck to your year, and a little more convenience in your freezer. As I settle into my NEW HOUSE and as Lunar New Year approaches, I’m looking to refill our freezer dumpling drawer. It’s the perfect opportunity to revisit this tradition with you!
Family Recipe Homemade Dumplings
If there’s ONE recipe I hope you’ve made from my channel, it’s my homemade dumplings, because having a freezer FULL of dumplings will save you every single time you don’t feel like cooking. Four years ago, I shared that the more dumplings you eat, the more money you make in the new year… and that video got over 20 MILLION views. Recently, on my family trip to Sooke with my grandma, we even had a dumpling making night that made the night end on an incredibly comforting note! Dumplings are a special part of my family’s life that genuinely brings us together in one meal.
Quick Dumpling Tips
Did you know dumplings could be your tasty ticket to prosperity in the Lunar New Year? According to my family’s tradition, they symbolize wealth: eat more, earn more! Wrapping dumpling on Lunar New Year has been a family tradition since my great-grandma, and that’s NEVER going to change. This tradition also means that I’ve got more than a few HOT TIPS for the perfect dumplings!
- Hand-Chopped Meat: Skip the store-bought ground meat and hand-chop it instead superior texture and juiciness. It takes a few minutes, but SO WORTH IT!
- Dry Cabbage: Avoid soggy fillings by salting and squeezing out excess water from your cabbage, it’ll stay crunchy and delicious.
- Taste Test: Always microwave a small portion of your filling before wrapping for a taste test.
My Dumpling Filling Recipes
Below are the dumpling recipes for my 4 go-to fillings: chicken, pork, beef, and vegetarian. The best part about these dumpling recipes? You can experiment with these flavors AS YOU LIKE!.
Chicken Dumpling Filling
- 1.5 lb of boneless chicken thigh
- ½ chopped Cabbage (around 1lb)
- 2 tbsp of Salt
- 3 stalks of Green Onion
- 1.5 tbsp of Ginger (grated)
- 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp of Dashi Powder or Chicken Powder
- 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp of White Pepper
Pork and Chive Dumpling Filling
- 1 lb of Chives Chopped
- 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1.5 lb Ground Pork or Chicken
- 2 tbsp of Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp of Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp of Ginger
- 1 tsp of Salt
- 1 tsp of Chicken Powder
- 1 tsp of White Pepper
Beef Dumpling & Potsticker Filling
- 1.5 lb of Ground Beef
- 4 Stalks of Green Onion chopped
- 1 whole Onion chopped
- 1.5 tbsp of Black Pepper
- 3 tbsp of Ginger grated
- 3 tbsp of LKK Premium Oyster Sauce
- 2 tbsp of LKK Premium Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1 tbsp of Cold Water
Vegetarian Dumpling Filling
- 0.5 Large Cabbage (chopped)
- 0.5 Carrot (shredded)
- 3 Green Onion (chopped)
- 10 Shiitake Mushroom (chopped)
- 50 oz of Vermicelli Noodles
- 2 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1.5 tbsp of Soy Sauce
- ¼ cup of Cilantro (chopped)
- 3.5 tbsp of Vegetarian Oyster Sauce
- 1 tbsp of Mushroom Powder
- 2.5 tbsp of Sesame Oil
- 1 tsp of White Pepper
Looking for my dumpling wrapper recipe?
Check out my cookbook TIFFY COOKS – homemade dumpling recipe + 87 of my favorite simple Asian recipes, from family favorites to my own creations, now available on Amazon!
3 Ways of Cooking Dumplings
When it comes to dumpling recipes, the methods you choose can transform their texture and flavor. I have my top 3 methods to share with you today: boiling, pan-frying, and dumpling soup!
- Boiled: This traditional method is so easy: just drop them in water, wait till they float, and you’re done. They come out nice and tender, perfect if you love the pure taste of the filling!
- Pan-fried: Looking for a crunch? Pan-frying it is! This gives the bottom of the dumpling a crunch that you’ll really be addicted to.
- Dumpling Soup: This dumpling method is all about cozy vibes. Drop your dumplings into a simmering broth, and let them cook. It’s a hearty, warm bowl that’s perfect for colder days.
Crispy Potsticker Skirt Mix
Want to learn the secrets to a perfectly crispy pan-fried potsticker? Find the key in my Taiwanese Beef Potsticker Recipe! The key is that beautifully crispy potsticker skirt, which actually only takes 3 ingredients! Try this potsticker recipe using your frozen dumplings and you’ll be surprised how impressed your family will be with these crispy dumplings!
- 1 tsp of Corn Flour
- 1 tsp of Flour
- 3 tbsp of Water
Hot & Sour Dumpling Soup
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 tsp roasted sesame seeds
- 2 tsp Korean red chili flakes
- 4 tbsp oil, I use grapeseed oil
- 2 tbsp black vinegar
- 1.5 tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 tbsp chicken powder (optional)
- 1-1.5 cups of hot dumplings water
Best Ways to Freeze Dumplings
But did you know making dumplings in BULK also saves you money? Because instead of ordering takeout, you already have dinner sitting in your freezer. That’s what I call girl math. These dumplings can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
First, to store these in the freezer, line the dumplings on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze them on the tray for 2 hours. This way, they won’t be stuck together. Once the dumplings harden, you can move them into ziplock bags. Make sure not to add the dumplings into the bags until they are fully frozen to prevent them from sticking together!
Best Dumpling Dipping Sauces
Dumplings are great, but what REALLY makes them shine is the dipping sauce! With these must-have ingredients, you’re all set to mix up some magic. ANY combination of these ingredients would be AMAZING with dumplings.
- Chili Oil: Adding a dollop of garlicky chili oil to your dipping sauce brings a spicy kick that wakes up your taste buds and adds excitement to each bite of dumpling.
- Black Vinegar: A splash of black vinegar offers a tangy contrast that cuts through the richness of the dumplings, balancing out their flavors.
- Soy Sauce: With its savory umami flavor, soy sauce is a classic choice for dumpling dipping.
- Scallion Oil: Scallion oil’s savory, oniony flavor adds a delicious aroma to your bite!
- Shallot Oil: The crispy, caramelized shallots in shallot oil provide a delightful crunch.
- Sesame Seeds: Sprinkling sesame seeds over your dipping sauce adds a nutty crunch that enhances the texture and flavor.
Enjoy Your Dumplings with these Perfect Side Dishes!
The Best Recipes Ever.