Authentic Potstickers Recipe – How to Make Perfect Homemade
Potstickers are a popular Asian dish, particularly in Chinese cuisine. These delightful dumplings feature a crispy, golden-brown bottom with a soft, juicy filling, often made from ground pork, vegetables, and seasonings. Known for their delicious balance of textures and flavors, potstickers are a favorite among dumpling lovers. This step-by-step potstickers recipe will guide you through making them at home, from preparing the filling to cooking them perfectly.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Active Time: 30 minutes
- Resting Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Course: Appetizer, Main Course
- Servings: 4
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Rolling pin (if making homemade wrappers)
- Large non-stick skillet with a lid
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Spatula
- Steamer (optional)
Ingredients
For the Dough (If Making Homemade Wrappers):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup warm water
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Filling:
- ½ pound ground pork (or chicken, shrimp, or tofu for variations)
- 1 cup napa cabbage, finely chopped
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
For Cooking:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup water
For Dipping Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Dough (If Using Homemade Wrappers)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
- Slowly add warm water while stirring with a spoon or chopsticks until the dough comes together.
- Knead for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Finely chop napa cabbage and mix with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze out excess moisture.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, cabbage, green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper.
- Stir the mixture until well combined and slightly sticky. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Potstickers
- Roll out the dough (if making homemade wrappers) and cut it into small circles about 3 inches in diameter.
- Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper.
- Lightly wet the edges with water and fold the wrapper in half, pinching the edges together to seal.
- Pleat the edges for a traditional look and to ensure they stay closed during cooking.
Step 4: Cook the Potstickers
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
- Arrange potstickers in a single layer, flat side down, and cook until the bottoms turn golden brown (about 2-3 minutes).
- Pour in ½ cup water and immediately cover with a lid. Let the dumplings steam for about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the lid and allow the remaining water to evaporate, crisping the bottoms again for another 1-2 minutes.
Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauce
- In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili flakes, and sugar.
- Stir well and serve with the warm potstickers.
Tips for Perfect Potstickers
- Wrappers: If using store-bought wrappers, ensure they are fresh and pliable to prevent tearing.
- Filling: Do not overfill the wrappers to avoid leakage during cooking.
- Cooking: Use a non-stick pan for best results and ensure the lid is well-fitted to create enough steam.
- Freezing: Arrange uncooked potstickers on a tray and freeze. Once solid, transfer them to a bag for later use. Cook directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the steaming time.
Conclusion
This homemade Potstickers Recipe is perfect for dumpling lovers who want to enjoy restaurant-quality potstickers at home. With a crispy bottom, juicy filling, and flavorful dipping sauce, these dumplings are sure to impress family and friends. Whether you’re making them as an appetizer or a main course, these potstickers will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy!
I am Ashley Doyle, Senior Specialist in Food & Policy at The Humane Society of the United States and editor at airfryermama.com. I am passionate about transforming our global food system by promoting delicious, climate-friendly, plant-based foods. After transitioning from law to food and public policy, I now work with major food service companies to develop plant-based initiatives and animal welfare policies. My goal is to drive institutional change to combat climate change and improve our food system.