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If you enjoy dumplings, you’re going to love this dish. This dumpling soup recipe features a light broth that is both restorative and comforting, especially on a cold day.

What makes this dumpling soup incredible? The first spoonful will feel like you’re enjoying a soup that has been simmering for hours, but in reality, it takes less than thirty minutes to prepare. You can add your favorite vegetables or whatever you have on hand, along with some leafy greens.

The History of Dumpling Soup

Dumpling soup has origins that date back to the Han Dynasty in China. Over 1,800 years ago, the first dumpling was created by a physician named Zhang Zhongjing. He wrapped medicinal herbs, meat, and chili in dough to treat ill villagers. By boiling these dough pockets in warm broth, he developed a healing recipe that became popular throughout China. Today, you can find a variety of wonton soups in Southern China.

Ingredients

Frozen dumplings, Chicken Stock Cube, Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Ginger, Garlic, Onion, Spinach, Limes, Radish, and Apple Cider Vinegar.

We have chosen to use lamb dumplings. The light broth, enhanced by the flavors of the lamb, complements the vegetables beautifully. Using a chicken stock cube adds a subtle flavor to the broth. While you can opt for a beef stock cube if you prefer, the combination of chicken stock and lamb is truly exceptional. We highly recommend using chicken stock for this soup.

Store-bought dumplings offer a convenient way to prepare this recipe in under 30 minutes. You can select from beef, lamb, chicken, or vegetable dumplings. Also, you may use either Chinese dumplings or Russian Pelmeni. Chinese dumplings are crescent-shaped and feature distinctive pleating that seals them on one side, while Pelmeni are circular and resemble Italian tortellini. Check your supermarket to see what options are available.

To deepen the flavor of the soup, add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Radish lightens the flavor of the broth, and since you’re using it in this dumpling soup, you might also consider making a radish salad that complements the recipe nicely. Spinach adds both color and nutrition to the soup; however, you can substitute it with bok choy, Swiss chard, kale, or parsley if you like.

Instructions

Peel the ginger and carrot, then cut them into matchstick-sized pieces. Slice the onion and garlic. Heat some cooking oil in a pot and sauté the onion and garlic until they become lightly caramelized. Next, add the julienned carrots and stir. Include the slices of ginger in the pot and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes to release their flavors. Finally, add the beef stock cube to the pot.

Add water along with the condiments such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, and apple cider vinegar. While the dumpling soup simmers on medium-low heat, slice up a few radishes into thin cylindrical disks and add it to the soup.

Add the dumplings to the soup and let it simmer for 9 minutes; this is the time it will take for the frozen dumplings to cook in the broth. Add the washed and sliced spinach in the last few minutes of the cooking time.

Once the dumplings are cooked. Drizzle with some chili oil and serve with a fresh radish salad. Dumpling soup is more than just a convenient meal; it is a ritual of comfort. Whether you are looking for a quick weeknight meal or a healthy alternative to takeout, this recipe combines the best of both worlds by pairing store-bought dumplings with vegetables and leafy greens.

How to make a Quick Chili oil for this recipe?

If you don’t have any chili oil on hand, you can mince one clove of garlic, add it to a saucepan with some chili flakes and a neutral cooking oil such as grapeseed oil, light olive oil, or avocado oil. Add the ingredients to the saucepan and heat for one to two minutes until the oil is bubbling. Remove from the stove and pour into a small bowl. Drizzle all over the dumpling soup.

What to Serve with Dumpling Soup?

This soup pairs well with our Radish Salad recipe. The Radish salad has a tangy flavour that complements the rich flavour of the lamb dumplings.

How to Store Dumpling soup?

Store in the fridge for two to three days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Freezing the dumpling soup will cause the dumpling dough to absorb the soup, and the dumplings will not retain their shape. It is recommended to freeze the broth and throw in the dumplings during the cooking process for a quick and fast meal.