I absolutely love this recipe because it’s a comforting hug in a bowl, packed with flavor from the savory beef, aromatic ginger, and umami-rich mushrooms. Plus, there’s something so satisfying about crafting homemade dumplings that float like little culinary treasures in a delicious broth.
Hearty dishes are my favorites, and this Beef Dumpling Soup is one of those. It is so full of flavor, from the combination of ground beef, soy sauce, and sesame oil—what I consider a classic dumpling filling—that I often eat the dumplings by themselves.
But I would recommend serving them in this broth (with bok choy and mushrooms, for good measure) because then you really get the full experience. And don’t worry about underestimating the “broth” part: this is a beef broth that, while simple, is very savory and rich.
Ingredients
Beef that is ground: Protein is abundant; delicious flavor makes it substantial.
Soy Sauce: Umami taste that is deep, enhances savory elements.
Sesame Oil: Contributes a nutty fragrance and enhances richness.
Aromatic and offers a spicy-sweet depth: garlic.
Ginger: Contributes warmth and spiciness, helps with digestion.
Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor.
Crunchy.
Bok choy is mild and nutritious, with a high content of vitamins and fiber.
Fungi: Of the earth, umami-rich, low-cal.
Beef Broth: A deliciously simple broth that provides an excellent flavor and an enormous amount of nutrition, especially for the gut.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package dumpling wrappers
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup bok choy, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Salt to taste
- Green onions, sliced for garnish
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish
Instructions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, green onions, ginger, and black pepper until well blended.
2. Arrange the dumpling skins and put a bit of the beef stuffing in the midsection of each. Run a wet fingertip along the top edge of the wrapper, fold it over the filling to make a half-moon shape, and pinch the top edge to crimp it closed. Work from the center out to the edges to make sure there’s no air trapped in the dumpling. Repeat until all the wrappers are filled and crimped closed.
3. In a big saucepan, warm the vegetable oil over medium heat. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and the chopped bok choy, and sauté them for 3 or 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
4. Add the beef broth, and bring it to a gentle boil.
5. Add the prepared dumplings to the soup with care, and keep an eye on them as they cook. You don’t want them to stick together and form one large dumpling that won’t fit in your mouth. Cook the dumplings for 5-7 minutes, or until they’ve blossomed fully and are floating merrily at the top of the soup.
6. Sampling the broth allows for the adjustment of the salt seasoning if necessary.
7. Soup with dumplings portioned into bowls.
8. Add sliced green onions and chopped cilantro to each bowl for garnish, as this will add additional flavor and color.
9. Accompany the soup with soy sauce or chili sauce if you prefer, and serve it up hot.
10. Savor this nourishing and tasty beef dumpling soup!
Equipment Needed
1. Mixing bowl
2. Spoon or spatula for mixing
3. Cutting board
4. Sharp knife
5. Teaspoon and tablespoon measuring spoons
6. Wet finger or small brush for sealing dumplings
7. Large saucepan or pot
8. Cooking spoon
9. Ladle for serving
10. Serving bowls
FAQ
- Q: Can I use another type of meat instead of ground beef?Yes, ground pork, chicken, or turkey can be used in place of beef for a delicious change in flavor.
- Q: Are there gluten-free dumpling wrappers available?Many grocery stores provide gluten-free dumpling wrappers that are made from alternative flours, such as rice flour.
- Q: How can I make this recipe vegetarian?Use a plant-based alternative to ground beef or finely chopped vegetables, and use vegetable broth in place of beef broth.
- Q: Can I freeze the dumplings?Q: Can the dumplings be frozen uncooked?
A: Yes, they can. Arrange the dumplings in a single layer on a baking sheet, and place in the freezer. Once they are frozen solid (which may take several hours), transfer the dumplings to an airtight freezer bag.
- Q: How long does it take to cook the dumplings in the broth?Once added to the simmering broth, the dumplings usually need about 5-7 minutes to finish cooking.
- Q: Can I make the dumplings in advance?Sure! The dumplings can be made several hours in advance. They should be covered and kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
Substitutions and Variations
Soy sauce:
You can prepare a gluten-free version by using tamari instead of soy sauce. If you want to remove the soy, use coconut aminos.
Sesame oil:
Use peanut oil or sunflower oil to create a different flavor profile.
Dumpling wrappers:
Use wonton wrappers or prepare your own dumpling dough from scratch with flour and water.
Bok choy:
Replace with spinach, napa cabbage, or kale for a change in texture and flavor.
Mushrooms:
For a more robust flavor, substitute shiitake mushrooms; for a mushroom-free version, use sliced zucchini.
Pro Tips
1. Chill the Filling: Before filling the dumpling wrappers, chill the meat mixture for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. This makes it easier to handle and helps the flavors meld together.
2. Seal Dumplings with Precision: When sealing the dumplings, make sure there are no air pockets to avoid them bursting during cooking. Press out any air before crimping the edges tightly.
3. Test a Dumpling: Before cooking all the dumplings, cook one in the broth to test for seasoning. This allows you to adjust the filling, especially the salt or ginger levels, if necessary.
4. Broth Enrichment: Enhance the flavor of the broth by adding a couple of slices of ginger or a splash of soy sauce as it simmers, which will infuse the soup with additional depth.
5. Cook in Batches: To prevent the dumplings from sticking together, cook them in batches if necessary. Ensure they have enough space to move freely in the pot.
Beef Dumplings Soup Recipe
My favorite Beef Dumplings Soup Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Mixing bowl
2. Spoon or spatula for mixing
3. Cutting board
4. Sharp knife
5. Teaspoon and tablespoon measuring spoons
6. Wet finger or small brush for sealing dumplings
7. Large saucepan or pot
8. Cooking spoon
9. Ladle for serving
10. Serving bowls
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package dumpling wrappers
- 8 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup bok choy, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- Salt to taste
- Green onions, sliced for garnish
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish
Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the beef, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, green onions, ginger, and black pepper until well blended.
2. Arrange the dumpling skins and put a bit of the beef stuffing in the midsection of each. Run a wet fingertip along the top edge of the wrapper, fold it over the filling to make a half-moon shape, and pinch the top edge to crimp it closed. Work from the center out to the edges to make sure there’s no air trapped in the dumpling. Repeat until all the wrappers are filled and crimped closed.
3. In a big saucepan, warm the vegetable oil over medium heat. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and the chopped bok choy, and sauté them for 3 or 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
4. Add the beef broth, and bring it to a gentle boil.
5. Add the prepared dumplings to the soup with care, and keep an eye on them as they cook. You don’t want them to stick together and form one large dumpling that won’t fit in your mouth. Cook the dumplings for 5-7 minutes, or until they’ve blossomed fully and are floating merrily at the top of the soup.
6. Sampling the broth allows for the adjustment of the salt seasoning if necessary.
7. Soup with dumplings portioned into bowls.
8. Add sliced green onions and chopped cilantro to each bowl for garnish, as this will add additional flavor and color.
9. Accompany the soup with soy sauce or chili sauce if you prefer, and serve it up hot.
10. Savor this nourishing and tasty beef dumpling soup!
