Pan-fried Dumplings (also known as potstickers) are one of the most beloved Chinese snacks. The bottoms are golden and crispy, while the fillings inside are juicy and tender. With this recipe, you can make perfect potstickers at home.
Prep time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Makes: 20–25 dumplings
🌴 Ingredients:
· Dumpling wrappers, 20–25 (about 250g / 8.8 oz)
· Minced pork, 250g (about 8.8 oz; use a mix of fatty and lean meat for the juiciest filling)
· Cabbage, 150g (about 5.3 oz; finely chopped)
· Scallion, 1 stalk (about 15g; chopped)
· Egg, 1 (about 50g)
· Minced ginger and garlic, a little (about 10g)
🌴 Seasonings:
· Light soy sauce, 2 tbsp (about 30ml)
· Oyster sauce, 1 tbsp (about 15g)
· Sesame oil, 1 tbsp (about 15ml)
· Sugar, a pinch (about 1g)
· White pepper powder, a pinch (about 0.5g)
· Salt, about 2–3g, to taste
· Cooking oil, as needed
· Water, about ⅓ cup (80ml), for pan-frying
· All-purpose flour, 1 tsp (about 3g; optional, to mix with the water for a crispy “ice skirt”)
· Toasted white sesame seeds and chopped scallion, for garnish
🌴 For the Dipping Sauce (Simple & Classic):
· Light soy sauce, 2 tbsp (about 30ml)
· Chinkiang vinegar, 1 tbsp (about 15ml)
· Chili oil, a few drops (optional)
All spoon measures are level. Light soy sauce is thin and salty—use it as listed for the best flavor.
🌴 Instructions:
- Make the Filling
Mix the minced pork with the egg, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, white pepper, and salt. Gradually add 2–3 tbsp of water (or ginger-scallion water) in one direction and stir until fully absorbed and the mixture becomes sticky. Add the cabbage (squeeze out its water first!), scallion, ginger, and garlic. Mix well. ⚠️ Tip: Never stir randomly, or the filling won’t hold together. Crucial step: Salt the chopped cabbage, let it sit for 10 minutes, and squeeze out the excess water with your hands or a clean towel before adding it to the meat. Otherwise, the water will ruin the filling. Adding water to the meat is the secret to a juicy, soup-like filling. - Wrap the Dumplings
Place a spoonful of filling on a wrapper. Wet the edges with a little water, fold, and seal tightly. ⚠️ Tip: Wetting the edges helps the wrappers stick together securely so they don’t burst open during frying. - Pan-fry the Dumplings
Heat a little oil in a non-stick pan. Arrange the dumplings in the pan and fry over medium heat for 1–2 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Optional: Mix 1 tsp of all-purpose flour into the water before pouring it in. Pour in about ⅓ cup (80ml) of the water, cover immediately, and simmer over medium-low heat for 5–6 minutes until the water evaporates. ⚠️ Tip: Never add too much water, or they will become boiled dumplings. The water should just come up to about a third of the dumplings. The flour mixture creates a crispy “ice skirt” on the bottom that makes it look and taste even more impressive. - Crisp the Bottoms and Serve
Once the water evaporates, remove the lid and fry over medium heat for 1 more minute to crisp up the bottoms. Garnish with chopped scallion and toasted sesame seeds, and serve hot with the dipping sauce. ⚠️ Tip: This final minute is the key to a crispy bottom—don’t skip it! Listen for the sizzling sound; when the bottoms are crisp and golden, they’re ready.
💡 Tips:
The key to potstickers is “crispy bottom, juicy filling.” Always stir the filling in one direction, and add a little water gradually to the meat to make it juicy. Salt the cabbage and squeeze it completely dry before mixing—this is the most common mistake that ruins the filling. Use a non-stick pan, add just enough water to steam (about a third of the way up), and mix a little flour into the water for an extra crispy “ice skirt”. Remove the lid to fry for one final minute for that irresistible crispy bottom. Serve with a simple soy-vinegar dipping sauce.
If you enjoy these pan-fried dumplings, you should also try my previously posted Scallion Pancakes (Scallion Pancakes) for another incredibly crispy and savory treat. Want to explore more? Check out my full Rice, Noodles & Dim Sum (Rice, Noodles & Dim Sum) category!
❤️ Click the homepage for more delicious recipes!