Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce

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

Golden pan-fried dumplings filled with seasoned pork and cabbage, served alongside a tangy garlic soy dipping sauce. This Chinese-inspired dumpling recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs ground pork, finely shredded napa cabbage, minced green onions 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: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 12 oz ground pork, 1 cup finely shredded napa cabbage, 2 tbsp minced green onions, 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Mix thoroughly until uniform and slightly sticky.
  2. Step 2: Place one dumpling wrapper on a clean surface and spoon about 1 tbsp of the pork mixture into the center. Moisten the edges with water and fold the wrapper in half, pinching to seal tightly. Repeat until all filling is used.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange dumplings flat side down in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Carefully pour 1/3 cup water into the skillet and immediately cover with a lid. Reduce heat to medium and steam dumplings for 6-7 minutes until the water evaporates and the pork is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: While dumplings cook, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional) in a small bowl for dipping.
  6. Step 6: Remove lid and cook dumplings uncovered for 1-2 minutes to crisp the bottoms again. Serve hot with the garlic soy dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 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 Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce?

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 Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce?

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 Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce 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 Pan-Fried Pork and Cabbage Dumplings with Garlic Soy Dipping Sauce?

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.

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