Mix up your minced pork recipe ideas with these delicious Chinese style steamed pork dumplings! Don't be intimidated as they are so easy to make and full of flavour too.
I was inspired to try steamed pork dumplings after watching them being made on Masterchef. I have to admit that I had thought dumplings were a bit boring and bland but these definitely changed my mind!
Yes, these dumplings are so full of flavour. The pork mince is flavoured with garlic, chilli, ginger, ground coriander, fresh mint, peppercorns and soy sauce. They are an absolute flavour bomb!
These pork dumplings are wrapped in light rice paper dumpling wrappers. The wrapper just holds them together and makes them easy to dip. They are not thick and stodgy like some dumplings can be.
They are then served with an amazing dipping sauce combining soy sauce, sesame oil, spring onion and chilli pepper. It's really quick and easy to make and you can make it while the dumplings are steaming.
If for any reason you are not already a dumpling fan then let these steamed dumplings convert you!
What ingredients do you need for steamed pork dumplings
To make these steamed pork dumplings you'll need to make the dumplings and the dipping sauce. To make the dumplings you'll need:
- Pork mince - You could swap this for turkey, chicken or minced prawns
- Rice paper rolls or pancakes- These are easily available in most supermarkets these days. You definitely don't need to make your own!
- Garlic - You can use fresh garlic, a puree or a paste.
- Ginger - Just like with the garlic, you can use fresh garlic or substitute it with a puree or paste.
- Chilli pepper - I use the whole pepper including the seeds but do remove them if you don't want too much heat. You can use a red or green chilli pepper.
- Coriander - the ground coriander not the fresh herb. Although you could add some of the herbs as well!
- Mixed peppercorns - You can replace this with ground black or white pepper.
- Mint - I use fresh mint but you could use dried mint if you don't have any fresh. Just use half a teaspoon if you use dried.
- Soy sauce - I use light soy sauce.
- Plain flour - If you need these to be gluten free then use a gluten free flour. Just make sure that you use a gluten-free soy sauce too if that is the case.
The dipping sauce is very quick and easy to make. You'll need:
- Soy sauce - I also use light soy for the dipping sauce.
- Sesame oil - This adds a delicious nuttiness
- Spring onion
- Chilli pepper - I usually use a red chilli pepper in the dipping sauce and I keep the seeds in as we like some extra heat.
Can you adapt these steamed pork dumplings?
You could make simple swaps to these dumplings. Minced prawns, chicken or turkey would work instead or pork.
If you're making them for children or people who don't like too much heat then you can omit the chillies from the mince. Just make two dipping sauces, one with and one without chillies in. Those who love a bit of heat can indulge that way!
If you don't have fresh mint then use a teaspoon of dried mint instead or use fresh coriander (cilantro) or parsley instead. It will alter the flavour a little but will still be delicious!
Can you prepare these dumplings in advance?
If you want to get ahead with these then it's fine to mix up the filling the day before and store it in the fridge until you are ready to fill the dumplings.
It is better to only fill the dumplings just before steaming them though. Otherwise they will tend to stick to the container you put them in and then tear when you try to take them out to put in the steamer.
Can you freeze these pork dumplings?
If you really want to make these Chinese pork dumplings in advance, store them in the freezer and then you can steam them from frozen. To freeze, put them on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. When they have frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. They will keep for at least three months in the freezer.
Can you reheat any cooked leftover dumplings?
Yes, if you have any leftover dumplings that you don't eat you can store them in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Just steam them again to reheat. They will take about 5 minutes to reheat all the way through.
The Masterchef inspiration for these pork dumplings
This dish is inspired by Jackie, the vegetarian with a love of Asian street food. So why have they got meat in? Well, for one of her last dishes she made three dumplings - 2 vegetarian ones and one pork one. The judges liked the vegetarian ones better.
So again, why the pork?
Well, I have to be completely honest here. I just couldn't remember what stuffing had been used for the other dumplings. Not a great reason I know, but I also felt like using pork. In the end, I'm glad I did. We loved these steamed pork dumplings and I'll definitely be making them again.
Recipe
Steamed Pork Dumplings
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Pork Dumplings
- 300 g pork mince
- 10 rice paper rolls or pancakes
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 chilli pepper
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon mixed peppercorns crushed
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon plain flour
Ingredients for the Dipping Sauce
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ spring onion finely diced
- 1 chilli pepper finely sliced
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the dumplings. When the mixture is well combined, form it into meatballs.
- Fill a bowl with warm water. Put in one of the rice paper pancakes. When it is soft and pliable take it out. Use a tea towel to absorb excess water. Put a meatball in the middle and wrap the pancake around it.
- Put all the dumplings in a steamer and steam for about 15 minutes.
- While the dumplings are steaming prepare the dipping sauce. Mix all the ingredients together. Taste and then adjust and seasonings if necessary.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More recipes you might like
If you love Chinese food then why not try my Chinese squid recipe or Chinese spare ribs?
If you love meatballs then how about my mint and lamb meatballs? Or if you like dumplings then why not try my Polish style pierogi ruskie?
Keep in touch
Do let me know if you make this steamed pork dumplings recipe. I love to get feedback from readers.
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AndrewD3000
Wow, these look stunning and from your description they seem simple to make
Joanne
I am so impressed with your dumpling making skills! These look delicious!
pigpigscorner
Yummy looking dumplings! A pain to make but so delicious!
kankana
u u u u i love love dumplings and this looks soo delicious ...
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours
I loved Jackie, but also felt that they were never, no matter how good ever let a veggie through to the final.
Sad really. I would eat her food every day!
Katerina
I love these transparent little things. i just bought rice tortillas from the s/m so perhaps this is a good idea to use them!
Dave Scott
BEAUTIFUL!!! What a great dish, marked this to give a try
great post and terrific photos
Juliana
I love these dumplings...I always get them at dim sum...so yummie. The sauce is just perfect with it. Have a great week 🙂