These homemade pork dumplings are full of savory, umami-rich flavor and pair beautifully with a bright, slightly sweet dipping sauce. They’re easy to make at home and are perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or a side for an Asian-inspired meal.
This recipe was created by Pachee, our video producer. She learned to make dumplings while living abroad and brings authentic flavors and techniques to this version.
Pachee’s Pork Dumplings
From Pachee: When my fiancé and I lived in Spain I missed the tastes of home, so I taught myself to make pork dumplings after finding wrappers at a local market. Making dumplings became a fun ritual with friends and a popular tapas-style dish while we were there. Now that we’re back in the States, I still make them often and I’m excited to share the recipe.
Pork dumplings are typically filled with ground pork mixed with aromatics and seasonings, wrapped in dumpling wrappers, briefly boiled, and then pan-fried for a crisp finish.
These dumplings balance savory pork, garlic, and ginger with umami-rich sauces. Boiling then pan-frying gives a tender interior and a satisfyingly crisp exterior.
Dumplings are a long-standing part of Chinese cuisine; this particular recipe is Pachee’s adaptation developed while living in Spain using ingredients she sourced there.
Why you’ll love them
Bold flavor: Rich, savory filling seasoned with soy and oyster sauce.
Great texture: Soft and juicy inside with a golden, crispy outside from pan-frying.
Fun to make: Folding dumplings is a hands-on activity the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients You Need
For the pork dumplings
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (plus 1 more minced for the dipping sauce)
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 25 dumpling wrappers (potsticker/dumpling style, thawed if frozen)
- 2 tablespoons oil for frying (neutral oil or olive oil)
Dipping Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet or regular rice vinegar
- 1 green onion, minced
Support your local Asian grocery store
For the best selection of dumpling wrappers, sauces, and fresh aromatics, visit your local Asian grocery store whenever possible.
How to Make Pork Dumplings
Note: A full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions are included below.
1. Make the dumpling filling
In a large bowl, combine ground pork, minced garlic, minced ginger, sliced green onion, soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon or your hands until well combined and slightly sticky—this helps the filling hold together when you form the dumplings.
2. Assemble the dumplings
Set a small bowl of water by your assembly station. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each wrapper. Wet the edge of the wrapper with water, fold it over the filling, and press the edges together to seal. Make sure the dumplings are tightly sealed so the filling won’t leak during cooking.
3. Boil the dumplings
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently add 6–10 dumplings at a time, stirring once so they don’t stick. When they float to the surface, let them cook 2–3 minutes more. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean kitchen towel to drain excess water.
4. Make the dipping sauce
Whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced green onion. Taste and adjust the vinegar or soy to your preference for a balance of salty and tangy.
5. Pan-fry the dumplings
Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add enough oil to coat the bottom. When the oil is hot and fragrant, add a single layer of dumplings and fry for 1–2 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Flip and brown the other side for another minute. Remove once both sides are crisp and serve immediately.
6. Enjoy
Serve the dumplings hot with the dipping sauce. They’re great as an appetizer or as part of a larger meal.
Tips for Success
- Choose the right wrappers: Use dumpling or potsticker wrappers rather than wonton wrappers for best results.
- Thaw frozen wrappers: If using frozen wrappers, thaw completely before assembling so they don’t tear.
- Don’t overcrowd when boiling: Cook in batches so dumplings cook evenly and don’t stick together.
- Drain well before frying: After boiling, rest dumplings on a kitchen towel to remove moisture—avoid paper towels or they may stick.
Freezing Pork Dumplings
Can you freeze them? Yes — this recipe freezes very well. Lay assembled dumplings in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen: Boil as directed (you may need an extra minute), then pan-fry for a crispy finish.
Storage
Store leftover cooked dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. We don’t recommend refreezing dumplings after they’ve been pan-fried.
Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispness, or microwave 1–2 minutes with a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
Photography: Photos for this post were taken by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.
Recipe: Homemade Pork Dumplings
Servings: 6 | Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 5 mins | Total: 35 mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (plus 1 minced for sauce)
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 25 dumpling wrappers
- 2 tbsp oil for frying
- For the dipping sauce: ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 minced green onion
Instructions
- Mix pork, garlic, ginger, sliced green onion, soy sauce, and oyster sauce in a large bowl until combined.
- Place 1 tbsp filling in center of each wrapper. Wet wrapper edge with water, fold, and seal tightly.
- Boil a large pot of water. Cook 6–10 dumplings at a time until they float, then simmer 2–3 more minutes. Drain on a clean towel.
- Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and minced green onion for the dipping sauce.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Fry dumplings until bottoms are golden, flip, and brown the other side.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauce.
Nutrition (approx.)
Calories: 238 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 13 g | Sugar: 5 g
Enjoy these pork dumplings hot from the skillet — they’re an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe that freezes well and makes for a satisfying homemade appetizer or meal addition.