Ground pork is preferred for this recipe and it’s easiest if you source this from your local grocery store or butcher’s. A reputable butcher will usually use pork shoulder for ground pork, as it contains a larger portion of fat in comparison to other cuts, but if you’re interested in experimenting with other cuts of pork for your dish, then take a look at our helpful article explaining the different cuts of pork.
We’ve shared a basic pork dumpling mixture recipe above, but you can add different ingredients to the mixture as preferred. For example, for more authentic Chinese flavors, many chefs will opt to make pork and chive dumplings, using Chinese chives instead of the scallion.
Take a look and see what you can find in your local grocery store, but scallions will work well with the flavors of the dish if you can’t source the chives. If you don’t have a steamer on hand in your kitchen, then you can cook the dumplings using a skillet.
Add water and a dash of oil to the skillet, and cook over high heat. The water steams the dumplings and then evaporates. What remains is the oil, which browns the base of the dumplings and adds a crispy texture.
For any leftover pork, find inspiration on how to use this tasty meat with a selection of our top 20 recipes. And if you’re keen to explore cooking other dishes with ground pork, take a look at our favorite five ground pork recipes, from a quick and easy stir-fry, to melt-in-the-mouth meatballs.
Folding Techniques and Visual Appeal
The main tip to remember when folding wonton wrappers is to start with square-shaped wonton wrappers and fold them into a triangular shape, once the filling has been added. From there you can simply use your fingers and thumb to seal the edges and give the dumpling its appealing pleated edges.
There are lots of different ways to fold dumplings, though, and it’s worth reading our guide to the 14 styles of dumplings from around the world to see which ones you find the most visually appealing. Some chefs will use circular wonton sheets, but if you’ve never made dumplings before, then the square wonton shapes are a good place to start to master a simple folding technique first.
Dipping Sauces and Condiments
Given this is a Chinese pork dumpling recipe, take inspiration from Asian cuisine when deciding on which sauces to pair with your dumplings. Traditionally they’re served with sauces, such as hoisin sauce, and can be easily dipped into a small bowl using chopsticks.
Hoisin’s salty and sweet flavors, along with its thick texture, make it the perfect pairing for the slightly sweet and soft pork dumplings. Hot Chinese-style mustard is another popular dipping sauce to enjoy with pork dumplings.
Made from strong-tasting brown mustard seeds, it packs a lot more heat than your go-to yellow version of this sauce. Its sharp spiciness cuts through the rich, fatty properties of the pork, for a balanced tasting experience.
Lastly, black vinegar is an ingredient found in many Chinese pantries and is considered a staple ingredient within the world of Chinese cuisine. You can use this as a quick dipping sauce for your pork dumplings.
Its acidity enhances the flavors of the pork and, much like the hot Chinese-style mustard, balances the rich, fattiness of the pork.
