What is the secret to perfect dumplings?

Don't Overwork the Dumpling Dough First, mix the dumpling ingredients just until the dough comes together. You'll whisk together the dry ingredients, then add melted butter and heavy cream. Stir everything together until the wet and dry ingredients are combined and you don't see any more dry flour.

How to make dumplings better?

A pinch of salt seasons the dumplings and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Cold butter or margarine is cut into the flour mixture to bind the dry ingredients together. It also keeps the dumplings light and tender. Whole milk helps create a smooth, moist dough.

What are the 3 main ways to cook dumplings?

Pick your mood—chewy, crispy, soupy, fancy—then pick your method.

Which flour is best for dumplings?

For dumplings, 🌾 all-purpose flour 🌾 is typically the best type to use. It has a moderate protein content, which gives the dumplings a tender and soft texture. 🍴 If you want a slightly denser dumpling, you can use 🌾 cake flour 🌾 or 🌾 self-rising flour 🌾, which have lower protein contents.

Why are my dumplings hard and not fluffy?

The trickiest part of the dumplings remaining fluffy lies with the cooking time. If the dumplings are cooked for too long, then they will become hard. If they are cooked and allowed to remain in the heated environment – in the hot liquid or covered in the hot pot, then the dumpling will contract and get hard.

How to give dumplings more flavor?

A little citrus zest also makes a great addition. Lemon zest is a good all-rounder, but orange would also work well, particularly for lamb or beef stews. A little mustard or horseradish will also add a hit of extra flavour to your dumplings – not too much though, as they also add moisture.

What are the three components of dumplings?

What are dumplings made of? The dumpling dough is made of three main ingredients: flour, water and salt.

What keeps dumplings from falling apart?

And for a pork-veggie filling that's compact, cohesive, and moist—but not dense or wet—mix the meat vigorously to release myosin, a sticky meat protein that helps the filling hold together. Using just the right amount of filling helps ensure that your dumplings can form a proper seal and won't burst open while cooking.

How are dumplings traditionally made?

Traditionally dumplings are made from twice the weight of self-raising flour to tallow, bound together by cold water to form a dough and seasoned with salt and pepper but can also be made using self-raising flour and butter. Balls of this dough are dropped into a bubbling pot of stew or soup, or into a casserole.

Do you boil dumplings with lid on or off?

Cover and simmer the dumplings over medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn the heat down on the stove so the liquid doesn't overflow the pot. Cover the pot to trap the remaining heat in, then set your timer. The dumplings will be soft and flavorful when they're done.

What is the most common type of dumpling?

Jiaozi. Jiaozi (pronounced "jow-zee") are perhaps the most common type of Chinese dumpling. Crescent-shaped and formed with an opaque wrapper made from wheat dough, jiaozi are usually filled with ground pork, cabbage, and scallions, and served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

How long do dumplings take to boil?

Carefully place the dumplings into the boiling water and boil for 20-25 minutes until they start to float. (You can boil in two batches depending on the size of your pan.) Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water and place them on a plate. Serve hot with your preferred stew or veggies.

Do you cook dumplings with the lid on or the lid off?

Once your water is boiling, let your dumplings cook in the steam for about ten minutes. Don't remove the lid as letting the steam escape will disrupt the cooking process and result in undercooked dumplings, so keep that lid on!

10 BEST Homemade Dumpling Recipes (2024)

Jump to Recipe List

In this collection of dumpling recipes, you’ll find everything from Japanese gyoza to Russian meat-stuffed pelmeni swimming in broth.

No matter which culture you come from, you probably have a handful of homemade dumplings you can’t live without. From pan-fried Asian pork dumplings to Slavic chicken dumplings topped with sour cream, there’s something so irresistible about popping the perfect bite-sized morsel in your mouth. To celebrate the world’s obsession with dumplings in all their different shapes, sizes, and styles, we’ve gathered our best and brightest recipes all in one place. In other words, pack your suitcase because we’re going worldwide!

The General Characteristics of Dumplings

To try and define a dumpling is nearly impossible. This broad category of food is so immense and diverse! They can range from sweet to savory, can be stuffed or unstuffed, and tend to be wrapped in a dough made of flour, potatoes, or bread. Above all, they’re fun to eat, bingeable, and just so darn satisfying.

FAQ

What makes a dumpling a dumpling?

There’s much debate about what makes a dumpling a dumpling, so we won’t try and define it for everyone. For some, a dumpling only consists of a flour morsel that’s boiled, while others consider dumplings to be any kind of finger food.

What types of dumplings are there?

Dumplings can range from boiled, deep-fried, pan-fried to baked. There are a million and one different varieties, which makes a dumpling obsession all the more fun!

Can you freeze most dumplings?

Yes, most dumplings can be frozen raw or cooked and stowed away in the freezer for a rainy day. To do so, assemble them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and pop them into the freezer uncovered. Once completely frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for 1-3 months.

10 Best Dumpling Recipes

1. Pelmeni (Russian Dumplings)

Pelmeni are the national dish of Russia and an absolute must-try. They consist of tender flour dough that’s stuffed with a savory meat mixture (typically ground pork, beef, chicken, turkey, or a combinations) and boiled to perfection. They’re best served with sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. Hot Tip: Invest in a pelmeni mold to make the process so much easier.

2. Chebureki (Russian Fried Dumplings)

You’ll find chebureki served as street food all throughout Russia. Typically, the signature yeast dough takes a bit of labor to make and roll out super thin with a rolling pin. But, you know we are all about shortcuts here at Momsdish! Our secret ingredient? Raw flour tortillas.

3. Gyoza Recipe (Japanese Dumplings)

These gyoza consist of dumpling wrappers that are stuffed with ground turkey, cabbage, scallions, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and other spices. Above all, don’t forget to whip up a dipping sauce made of fresh ginger, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and chili oil to smother them in. Bonus: Included within the recipe is a photo step-by-step on how to get those signature pleats.

4. Halushki (Traditional Ukrainian Dumplings)

Halushki can best be described as Ukrainian-style gnocchi (although they’re made with all–purpose flour, not potatoes). In this recipe, they’re tossed with bacon bits, butter, and sauteed mushrooms. Serve them as a side dish to your favorite protein for a well-rounded meal.

5. Pierogi with Farmer’s Cheese (Vareniki Recipe)

This dumpling list wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t throw in a couple of sweet options. Stuffed with a sweet filling of farmer’s cheese, these Ukrainian dumplings are perfect for breakfast or dessert. Finally, top them with your favorite jam or a drizzle of melted honey for a sweet and salty flavor explosion.

6. The Classic Pierogi (Potatoes and Cheese)

These tender pierogi are stuffed with mashed potatoes and cheese, boiled, and finished with a pan fry to turn them slightly crispy. Could they get any more delicious? Oh, yes.They’re finished with a toss of butter and sprinkle of crispy bacon bits.

7. Khinkali (Georgian Dumplings)

Khinkali are a popular version of dumplings served throughout the Eastern European country of Georgia. They look like little, scrumptious coin purses. In this version, they are filled with a mixture of both ground beef and chicken and herbs.

8. Dumpling (Pelmeni) Soup

While pelmeni are amazing all on their own, there’s nothing like throwing a batch into a simmering pot of chicken broth alongside your favorite vegetables. Slavic comfort food at its finest! Good luck trying to eat just one bowl.

9. Mom’s Chicken Dumpling Soup

Above all, everyone needs a solid chicken dumpling soup recipe to get them through the winter. This simple recipe includes all the essentials – juicy chicken, potatoes, carrots, and tender drop dumplings. In addition, it’s 100% kid-friendly and a great way to sneak veggies in a pick eater’s diet!

10.

Skip ordering Chinese takeout, grab a large pot, and make your own wonton soup at home with Asian-style dumplings, bok choy, mushrooms, and green onions. Use our pelmeni recipe or pick up a bag of your favorite wontons from the grocery store. If you want the soup to be a bit more filling, add in your favorite rice noodles or a bag of frozen shrimp.

Lazy Pierogi Recipe (Video) – Pierogi with a shortcut
Easy Crab Puffs Recipe (Crab Ragoons) – Crab and cream cheese puffs
Russian Sweet Piroshky (with Poppy Seeds) – Piroshky with sweet poppy seed filling
Farmer’s Cheese Donut Holes (Russian Ponchiki) – Donut holes filled with sweet cheese