Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger

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

Delicate dumplings filled with juicy pork and aromatic ginger, steamed to perfection and served with a tangy soy-vinegar dipping sauce. This chinese-inspired dumplings ready in about 75 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, boiling water, ground pork 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: 60 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place 2 cups all-purpose flour in a large bowl and gradually add 3/4 cup boiling water while stirring with chopsticks until a shaggy dough forms. When cool enough to handle, knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 12 oz ground pork, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 2 finely chopped scallions, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp white pepper, and 1/2 cup solidified chicken stock gelatin cut into small cubes. Mix thoroughly to incorporate the gelatin.
  3. Step 3: Divide dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each into a 3-inch thin circle on a lightly floured surface.
  4. Step 4: Place about 1 tbsp filling in the center of each wrapper, pleat the edges together to seal tightly, ensuring no gaps.
  5. Step 5: Prepare a bamboo steamer lined with parchment paper. Arrange dumplings with some space between them.
  6. Step 6: Bring a wok of water to a boil and place the steamer over it. Steam dumplings for 8-10 minutes until the dough is translucent and filling is cooked through.
  7. Step 7: For dipping sauce, mix 2 tbsp black vinegar with 1 tsp minced fresh ginger.
  8. Step 8: Serve dumplings hot with the dipping sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (60 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 Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger?

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 all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger?

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 Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger 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 Shanghai-Style Soup Dumplings with Pork and Ginger?

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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