Homemade Shrimp and Chive Dumplings (VIDEO)

Ingredients for Shrimp and Chive Dumpling

• dumpling wrappers – see note above
• shrimp – use raw, peeled, and deveined shrimp of any size (it won’t matter because you will be chopping the shrimp into a paste). Do not use cooked shrimp!
  • If you love shrimp, try making my Hawaiian inspired Coconut Shrimp!
• 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.
• 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.

Recipe Instructions for Shrimp and Chive Dumplings

1. Prepare the Shrimp and Chive Filling

Chop your chives, garlic, and ginger. Place in a large bowl.

Roughly chop shrimp and add to the bowl with chives, garlic, and ginger.

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

2. Taste Your Shrimp and Chive Filling

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 Shrimp and Chive Dumplings!

3. Fold 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.

Watch the video for a more detailed instruction on how to fold dumplings!

How to Cook Shrimp 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 Shrimp 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 Shrimp and Chive Dumplings – and enjoy!
• OPTIONAL – finish the Shrimp and Chive 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 the dumplings; bring the water to a high simmer for 5-6 minutes or until the dumplings float.

Don’t forget to serve your Shrimp and Chive Dumplings with my Dumpling Dipping Sauce!

How to Freeze Extra Shrimp 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 Shrimp 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 Shrimp 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).