Pork and Chive Dumplings – Step-by-Step (VIDEO)

5 from 15 votes
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If you loved my Pork Dumplings with cabbage, you’re going to also love these Pork and Chive Dumplings! They’re packed with juicy pork, fresh Chinese chives, and seasoned to perfection – just like how your favorite Chinese restaurant makes them! Keep reading to learn my key tips on making the best homemade dumplings, how to freeze extra, and the three ways I like to cook them!

Pan fried dumplings on a plate

Watch the Pork and Chive Dumpling Recipe Video Below!

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Ingredients for Pork and Chive Dumplings

Which Dumpling Wrappers Should I Use?

I like to use store bought dumpling wrappers for two reasons:

  • When I make Pork and Chive Dumplings at home, I’m usually making a large batch of 50+ dumplings – making my own wrappers would not be time conducive.
  • I like to use store bought wrappers because of the consistency in shape and texture.

However, not all dumpling wrappers are created equal! I have tried many brands and Wyzen has been my favorite brand for dumpling wrappers. The wrappers are supple, moldable, and strong enough to hold the filling without breaking. I found these at my local Asian market in the refrigerated section.

If you cannot find this brand at your local market, Dynasty also makes great wrappers.

Ingredients

  • Ground Pork – I like 80% lean ground pork. The 20% of fat will help with the flavor and juiciness of the Pork and Chive Dumplings. You can use any ratio of meat to fat that you prefer.
    • If you cannot or do not want to eat pork, you can substitute with another ground meat, such as ground turkey or ground chicken.
    • Love pork? Try my Sweet and Sour Pork recipe!
  • Chinese Chives – If you cannot find Chinese chives, you can substitute with scallions or green onions.
  • White Pepper – I love white pepper and it’s used very commonly in Chinese cooking (another “secret ingredient” for cooking restaurant quality Chinese food at home). It has an earthier, less spicy flavor than black pepper. I recommend having some in your pantry but if you can’t find it, you can always substitute with black pepper.
  • Kosher Salt
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
  • Sugar
  • Light Soy Sauce – You will need “light” or “all-purpose” soy sauce. Do NOT use dark soy sauce, as it is too intense for a fried rice recipe.
  • Shaoxing Wine – This is one of my favorite Chinese pantry staples. It adds a depth of flavor and complexity to the sauce and truly one of my “secret ingredients” for making restaurant quality Chinese food. If you can’t find it, you can substitute with mirin, sherry, or even chicken broth.
  • Sesame Oil
  • MSG – I like to use MSG in moderation as a flavor enhancer. This is always optional.
  • Dumpling Wrappers – see note above
Pork and Chive dumpling mixture in bowl

Recipe Instructions for Pork and Chive Dumplings

1. Prepare Pork and Chive Dumpling Filling

Chop chives, garlic, and ginger; place in a large mixing bowl.

Into the mixing bowl with the chives, garlic, and ginger, place ground pork.

Season the mixture with salt, white pepper, sugar, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, optional MSG and sesame oil. With your hands, mix in a clockwise motion until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and you see streaks on the bowl.

Pork and Chive Dumpling filling mixed in a bowl.

KEY TIP

Taste Test The Filling BEFORE Wrapping the Dumpling!

I recommend you taste your filling BEFORE you start filling. Once your filling has been mixed, take 1 tbsp and:

  • Cook it in the microwave for 30 sec – 1 minute (depending on your microwave)
  • Pan fry it on the stove for 1 minute

Taste your cooked filling and adjust any seasoning, if needed. Once you’re happy with the seasoning, it’s time to start folding your Pork and Chive Dumplings!

2. Wrap The Dumplings

Once you learn how to fold dumplings, it will feel very straightforward – here is the order I like to fold dumplings:

  • Hold one dumpling wrapper in the palm of your hand. Take 1 tbsp of filling and place in the center of your wrapper. DO NOT OVERSTUFF – overstuffing will lead to your dumpling breaking and the filling coming out during cooking.
  • Wet the top half edge with water; fold the wrapper in half (creating a half moon shape) and pinch in the center.
  • Use your thumbs to pleat from the center all the way to the edge of one side and seal. Push out any air bubbles.
  • Repeat on the other side – pleat from the center to the end. The dumpling should now be sealed end to end, in a crescent moon shape.
Folded dumplings on a tray

3. Cook the Dumplings

Now that the dumplings are folded beautifully, you can cook them however you’d like! I recommend boiling or pan frying them, but you can also steam them as well. I love serving them up with my homemade Chinese Chili Oil alongside my Dumpling Dipping Sauce!

Pan Fried dumplings on a plate

KEY TIPS

Expert Tips for Making the Best Pork and Chive Dumplings!

Taste Your Filling BEFORE Wrapping

This is my #1 tip! The worst thing to do is fold all of your Pork and Chive Dumplings to discover after the fact that you did not season the filling properly! That is why I recommend you taste your filling BEFORE you start filling. Once your filling has been mixed, take 1 tbsp and

  • Cook it in the microwave for 30 sec – 1 minute (depending on your microwave)
  • Pan fry it on the stove for 1 minute

Taste your cooked filling and adjust any seasoning, if needed. Once you’re happy with the seasoning, it’s time to start folding your Pork and Chive Dumplings!

Do Not Overstuff Your Pork and Chive Dumplings

Always underfill your dumplings – you want to make sure they are not overstuffed and can be sealed completely. If they are too full and not completely sealed, they will break when cooked.

It’s OK to Use Store Bought Wrappers!

I grew up watching my grandma using store bought dumpling wrappers, so I firmly believe it’s OK to use store bought wrappers!

When I make Pork and Chive Dumplings at home, I’m usually making a large batch of 50+ wontons – making my own wrappers would not be time conducive. I also to use store bought wrappers because they’re so consistent in shape and texture.

I like the brands ‘Wyzen’ or ‘Dynasty’ – I find these in the refrigerated section of my local Chinese grocery (99 Ranch).

How to Eat Dumplings

Pork and Chive Dumplings must be eaten with my ultimate Dumpling Dipping Sauce – this sauce takes any dumplings to the next level! If you want to really impress, pair your homemade dumplings with a crispy Dumpling Skirt – just like your favorite Chinese restaurants serve them!

Dumplings are a major food group in my opinion and I love making them for any occasion! If you love dim sum, you need to make Siu Mai (Shu Mai) which taste JUST like your favorite dim sum restaurant. If you prefer shrimp, you’ll love my Shrimp and Cabbage Dumplings or Shrimp and Chive Dumplings! And don’t forget about my Vegetable Dumplings – you won’t even miss not having any meat! I also love making wontons, a type of dumpling – my grandma’s Pork and Shrimp Wontons are perfect in my Wonton Noodle Soup with a healthy drizzle of homemade Chinese Chili Oil. And you won’t ever need to buy Chicken and Cilantro Wontons from the grocery store after making mine at home!

How to Cook Pork and Chive Dumplings

Pan-Fry:

  • Heat 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil in a skillet over medium high heat (size dependent on how many dumplings you are cooking)
  • Place your Pork and Chive Dumplings flat side down
  • Brown the dumplings in the neutral oil for 2-3 minutes (they should be golden brown on the bottom)
  • Add 1 cup of water and cover; steam the dumplings for 4-5 minutes
  • Uncover when the water is mostly evaporated; the remaining oil should crisp up the bottom of the Pork and Chive Dumplings – and enjoy!
  • OPTIONAL – finish the Pork Dumplings with my crispy Dumpling Skirt!

Steam:

  • Place in a steamer basket and steam for 7-10 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and internal temp reaches at least 145F.

Boil:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  • Add Pork and Chive dumplings; bring the water to a high simmer for 5-6 minutes or until the dumplings float.

How to Freeze Extra Pork and Chive Dumplings

I never make dumplings for just one meal – I always like to make at least 50 and freeze them for the future. However, improper freezing can lead to your Pork and Chive Dumplings sticking together – when you cook dumplings that are stuck together, they usually break. Therefore, follow my steps to freeze these correctly so you can enjoy them in the future:

  • Once you’ve folded your Pork and Chive Dumplings, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
  • Lay the dumplings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure there is room in between each dumpling so they do not stick together.
  • Place the baking sheet with the dumplings in the freezer for AT LEAST one hour.
  • After one hour, you’ll notice your dumplings are frozen. You can now transfer them into a freezer safe bag (they can be laid on top of each other / touch each and will not freeze together).

If you tried this Pork and Chive Dumplings or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

5 from 15 votes

Pork and Chive Dumplings

Servings: 30 dumplings
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Pork and Chive Pan fried dumplings on a plate.
These pork and chive dumplings have a delicious, juicy filling and are perfect for pan frying, boiling, or steaming!

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine ground pork, chives, garlic, and ginger. Season the mixture with salt, white pepper, sugar, light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, msg, and sesame oil. With your hands, mix in a clockwise motion until the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and you see streaks on the bowl.
  • Place 1 tbsp of filling in the center of your dumpling wrapper. Wet the edges with water, then pinch together one end to end, then use your thumbs to pleat from the center to the edge of one side to seal the dumpling. Repeat on the other side from the center to create your crescent dumpling shape.
  • To pan fry, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a skillet over medium high heat and brown the dumplings for 2-3 minutes until browned. Add 1 cup of water and immediately cover and steam for 4-5 minutes until the water has mostly evaporated. Uncover and continue cooking until the water has evaporated and the remaining oil has crisped up the bottom of your dumplings.
  • To steam, place dumplings on a piece of cabbage, lettuce, or wax paper, and fill the pan with 1 inch of water. Steam for 5-6 minutes.

Notes

How to Cook Pork and Chive Dumplings

Pan-Fry:

    • Heat 1-2 tbsp of neutral oil in a skillet over medium high heat (size dependent on how many dumplings you are cooking)
    • Place your Pork and Chive Dumplings flat side down
    • Brown the dumplings in the neutral oil for 2-3 minutes (they should be golden brown on the bottom)
    • Add 1 cup of water and cover; steam the dumplings for 4-5 minutes
    • Uncover when the water is mostly evaporated; the remaining oil should crisp up the bottom of the Pork and Chive Dumplings – and enjoy!
    • OPTIONAL – finish the Pork Dumplings with my crispy Dumpling Skirt!

Steam:

    • Place in a steamer basket and steam for 7-10 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and internal temp reaches at least 145F.

Boil:

    • Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat.

    • Add Pork and Chive dumplings; bring the water to a high simmer for 5-6 minutes or until the dumplings float.

How to Freeze Extra Pork and Chive Dumplings

I never make dumplings for just one meal – I always like to make at least 50 and freeze them for the future. However, improper freezing can lead to your Pork and Chive Dumplings sticking together – when you cook dumplings that are stuck together, they usually break. Therefore, follow my steps to freeze these correctly so you can enjoy them in the future:
    • Once you’ve folded your Pork and Chive Dumplings, take a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
    • Lay the dumplings on the baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure there is room in between each dumpling so they do not stick together.
    • Place the baking sheet with the dumplings in the freezer for AT LEAST one hour.
    • After one hour, you’ll notice your dumplings are frozen. You can now transfer them into a freezer safe bag (they can be laid on top of each other / touch each and will not freeze together).

Nutrition

Calories: 44kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 114mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Tried this recipe?Mention @cj.eats_ or tag #cjeatsrecipes!

About CJ

Iโ€™m a third generation Chinese-American home cook who has always loved cooking & eating! Welcome to my food blog, where you can find trusted, tested, easy & approachable recipes for the everyday home cook that taste delicious! I am so glad you're here!

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5 from 15 votes (1 rating without comment)

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17 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Pork and chive downright my favorite combo for dumplings.

    Pair this with his sweet and sour soup!!

    @renechanofficial

  2. 5 stars
    My roommate said โ€œthis are way better than store boughtโ€. Absolutely love this recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    Thank you! This is amazing! I have been looking for the right flavor for dumplings and you nailed it for me! It brings me right back to my hometown where I would grab an order of these from a local take out restaurant and be happy for days ! Thank you! โ™ฅ๏ธ

  4. 5 stars
    The perfect dumpling recipe!! My grandparents always made platters on platters of dumplings for the lunar New Year, and this reminds me of them. I haven’t quite got the folding technique down…but they taste delicious and remind me of them.

    @juuuniper

  5. I mixed it with shrimp.. and itโ€™s delicious!! We love all your dumplings!
    We make them every new years and thanksgiving!

  6. Thank you for the recipe canโ€™t wait to try it. Question in step 3 of the recipe you wrote to use a 1 tbsp of filling but above in you general discussion of the recipe you wrote 1/2 tsp of filling. Which is the correct amount?