Shanghai-Style Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)
Delicate steamed dumplings filled with juicy pork and savory broth, a classic Shanghainese dim sum favorite. This chinese-inspired dumplings ready in about 60 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, ground pork for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 12 oz ground pork
- 1 tbsp ginger, finely grated
- 2 tbsp green onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup cold chicken broth, gelatinous
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour with 3/4 cup warm water and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, mix 12 oz ground pork with 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp finely chopped green onion, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp salt until well combined.
- Step 3: Gently fold in 3/4 cup cold gelatinous chicken broth into the pork mixture to create a juicy filling.
- Step 4: Roll the rested dough into a long log and cut into 20 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 3-inch thin circle.
- Step 5: Spoon about 1 tbsp of filling onto each dough circle, pleat the edges and pinch to seal, ensuring the broth is enclosed.
- Step 6: Line a bamboo steamer with parchment paper and arrange dumplings with space between. Steam over boiling water for 8-10 minutes until dumplings are translucent and cooked through.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with black vinegar and fresh ginger slivers for dipping.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shanghai-Style Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (50 min prep + 10 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 Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)?
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 Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)?
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 Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao) 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 Steamed Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)?
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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