Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hand-folded half-moon dumplings filled with juicy pork and crisp Napa cabbage, steamed or pan-fried to tender perfection. This chinese-inspired dumplings ready in about 35 minutes pairs ground pork, Napa cabbage, finely chopped, stalks green onions, finely sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 8 oz ground pork, 1 cup finely chopped Napa cabbage, 2 finely sliced green onions, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove. Mix thoroughly until the filling is sticky and well combined.
  2. Step 2: Lay a dumpling wrapper flat and place 1 tbsp of pork mixture in the center. Moisten the wrapper edge with water, fold in half to form a half-moon shape, and pinch edges tightly to seal. Repeat for all wrappers.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange dumplings flat side down and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Carefully add 1/2 cup water to the pan and immediately cover with a lid to steam for 5-6 minutes until the water has evaporated and dumplings are cooked through. Remove lid and cook for an additional 1 minute to crisp the bottoms again.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Half-Moon Dumplings with Pork and Napa Cabbage?

Chinese dumplings like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes