Pork Dumpling Soup

Pork Dumpling Soup combines delicate, handmade dumplings with a flavorful, aromatic broth, creating a comforting dish perfect for cooler days or whenever a hearty, satisfying meal is desired. The broth, infused with lemongrass, Thai basil, and other herbs, simmers slowly to develop depth while the dumplings, filled with a savory pork and vegetable mixture, add texture and richness to each spoonful.

Topped with fresh vegetables and mushrooms, this soup offers a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, making it a delightful culinary experience that warms both body and soul.

How to make Pork Dumpling Soup

Ingredients

Broth

6 cups vegetable or chicken stock

4 stalks lemon grass cut into 1 inch pieces

6 green onions cut into 1 inch pieces

2 carrots cut into 1″ pieces

4 dried chili peppers

1/2 bunch cilantro

6 thai basil leaves

4 cloves garlic halved

6 black pepper corns

Dumplings

1/2 small head Napa cabbage sliced thin

1 tablespoon salt

1 pound ground pork

6 green onions thinly sliced

1/2 bunch cilantro finely diced

3 tablespoons soy sauce

3 tablespoons fresh ginger grated

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 teaspoon corn starch

1 12-ounce package round dumpling, wonton wrappers

Soup Vegetables

2 package Enoki mushrooms

6 scallions thinly sliced

6 stalks of baby bok choy

Instructions

Broth

In a stock pot add all ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours. You can also use a crock pot.

Drain liquid and reserve. Discard herbs and vegetables.

Salt stock

Dumplings

In a large blow place cabbage, pour 1 cup of boiling hot water over cabbage.

Let sit for 1 minute, then drain and rinse with cold water.

Squeeze excess wage from cabbage and then pat cabbage dry with a towel.

In a large bowl, combine the pork, ginger, garlic, green onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, corn starch and cabbage. Stir until well mixed.

Place 1 heaping teaspoon of filling onto each wonton skin. Moisten edges with water and fold edges and pinch edges slightly to seal in filling. Set dumplings aside on a lightly floured surface and over with a cloth towel until ready to cook.

Prepare Soup:

In a large pot bring stock to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. .

Slowly add dumplings with a slotted spoon one by one.

Simmer in broth for 10 minutes.

In a serving bowl add one thinly sliced scallion, stems from baby bok choy and 1/3 of a package of Enoki mushrooms.

Ladle 1 cup in the bowl with and 2-3 dumplings.

Notes:

Broth Preparation: The broth for this soup is infused with aromatic ingredients such as lemongrass, green onions, carrots, dried chili peppers, cilantro, Thai basil, garlic, and black peppercorns. Cooking these ingredients together for 8 hours on low heat (or in a crockpot) allows the flavors to meld deeply into the stock, creating a rich and flavorful base.

Dumpling Assembly: The dumplings are filled with a mixture of ground pork, Napa cabbage (which has been blanched and dried to remove excess moisture), green onions, cilantro, soy sauce, grated ginger, sesame oil, and corn starch. The filling is placed onto wonton wrappers, sealed, and set aside until ready to cook. This step ensures that the dumplings are moist and flavorful inside the soup.

Soup Assembly: Once the broth is strained and seasoned, it’s brought to a boil and then simmered. The prepared dumplings are added to the simmering broth one by one, allowing them to cook gently for about 10 minutes until they are fully cooked through.

Serving: The soup is served hot, garnished with thinly sliced scallions, baby bok choy stems, and Enoki mushrooms. This garnish not only adds freshness but also enhances the visual appeal and texture of the dish.

Variations: While this recipe provides a traditional approach to making pork dumpling soup, feel free to adjust the ingredients or add additional vegetables or spices to suit your taste preferences. The flexibility in filling and broth ingredients allows for customization while maintaining the essence of a comforting and satisfying soup dish.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS 4 | SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

How long does it take to make Pork Dumpling Soup?

The preparation time for Pork Dumpling Soup can vary depending on your cooking skills and equipment.

Generally, it takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare the ingredients and assemble the dumplings, and about 8 hours for the broth to cook if using a slow cooker.

Cooking the dumplings in the broth takes an additional 10 minutes.

Can I use store-bought broth for this recipe?

Yes, you can use store-bought vegetable or chicken broth instead of making your own.

This can significantly reduce the preparation time for the soup.

Just ensure that the broth you choose complements the flavors of the other ingredients.

Can I freeze the dumplings for later use?

Yes, you can freeze the dumplings for later use.

Once assembled, place the dumplings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.

Then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container for storage.

When ready to use, cook the frozen dumplings directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Are there any substitutes for Napa cabbage in the dumplings?

If Napa cabbage is not available, you can substitute it with regular green cabbage or even bok choy.

Ensure to slice them thinly to mimic the texture of Napa cabbage in the dumplings.

How should I store leftover Pork Dumpling Soup?

To store leftover soup, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until heated through before serving.

Can I make the broth for Pork Dumpling Soup ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the broth in advance.

After cooking for 8 hours, allow it to cool before straining.

Store the strained broth in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for longer storage.

When ready to use, reheat the broth and proceed with cooking the dumplings.

Are there any alternatives to using lemon grass in the broth?

If you don’t have lemon grass on hand, you can omit it from the recipe or substitute it with a few strips of lemon zest.

While the flavor won’t be exactly the same, it will still add a subtle citrus note to the broth.

Can I use store-bought dumpling wrappers instead of making them from scratch?

Yes, you can use store-bought round dumpling or wonton wrappers instead of making them from scratch.

This can save time and effort in the preparation process.

Just ensure that the wrappers are suitable for dumplings and follow the instructions on the package for best results.

Is there a vegetarian version of this soup?

Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of Pork Dumpling Soup by omitting the ground pork and using vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. You can also add more vegetables or substitute tofu for the protein component. Adjust the seasonings according to your preference.

Can I customize the soup vegetables according to my preference?

Absolutely! Feel free to customize the soup vegetables based on your taste preferences or what you have available.

You can add other vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms, or omit any ingredients you don’t enjoy.

Just ensure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.