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Some nights, you just need a hug from the inside out, something warm and fragrant that comes together in the time it takes to watch a silly video online.
This dumpling soup is exactly that—a cozy, flavorful bowl that feels like a secret, even though it’s incredibly simple to make.
Why This Soup is a Weeknight Hero
Let’s be honest, the magic here starts in the freezer aisle. Using frozen potstickers is the ultimate shortcut, a little trick that turns a pot of broth into a hearty meal.
You’re not just boiling dumplings, you’re building a whole aromatic soup around them, which honestly feels a bit clever. The broth soaks up all those great flavors, and the dumplings cook right in it.
Ingredients Needed for the Recipe
Gathering everything is the longest part, and it’s not long at all. Each ingredient has a specific job, building layers of flavor and texture.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: This is your flavor foundation. It has a deep, nutty aroma that makes the whole soup taste authentically wonderful.
- Garlic & Fresh Ginger: The dynamic duo. They get sautéed first to wake up their potent, fragrant oils, which form the soul of the broth.
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock: The body of your soup. A good stock is key—it’s the pool your dumplings will swim in.
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: For savory, salty depth. Using low-sodium lets you control the saltiness perfectly at the end.
- Green Onions & Carrots: These add freshness and a gentle crunch. The carrots sweeten as they cook, balancing the savory notes.
- Frozen Dumplings (Potstickers/Gyoza): The star of the show. They simmer in the broth, becoming tender and infusing it with their own delicious filling.
- Fresh Spinach: A pop of color and greens that wilts in seconds right at the end, adding freshness and a nutritional boost.
- Sea Salt & Sesame Seeds: The finishers. A final sprinkle of seeds adds a tiny crunch and makes it look, well, professional.
How to make ?
The process is almost laughably straightforward, but paying attention to these steps ensures every bowl is perfect.
Step 1 – Wake Up the Aromatics
Heat the sesame oil in your large pot over medium heat. You want it shimmering but not smoking.
Add the minced garlic and ginger, and just stir them around for about three minutes. Your kitchen will start to smell amazing—that’s how you know it’s working.
Step 2 – Build Your Broth
Pour in the stock, soy sauce, most of your sliced green onions (save some for garnish!), and the carrots.
Crank the heat to high and bring it all to a lively boil, then reduce it to a gentle simmer for about five minutes. This lets the carrots start to soften and the flavors get to know each other.
Step 3 – The Dumpling Plunge
Gently add your frozen dumplings. There’s no need to thaw them, just drop them right in.
Bring the soup back up to a boil and let it cook for about four minutes. The dumplings will float to the top and become tender and hot all the way through.
Step 4 – The Final Flourish
Turn off the heat. This part is important—you don’t want to cook the spinach, just wilt it.
Stir in the fresh spinach until it just collapses into dark green ribbons. Taste the broth now, and add a pinch of sea salt if it needs it.
Step 5 – Serve it Warm
Ladle the soup into deep bowls, making sure everyone gets plenty of dumplings, carrots, and that gorgeous broth.
Top it with the reserved green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that final, pretty touch.
The Wonderful World of Frozen Dumplings
Walking down the frozen aisle can be confusing, with labels like “potstickers,” “gyoza,” or “dumplings.” Here’s the simple truth: for this soup, they all work.
Potstickers are typically Chinese in origin, often pan-fried, while gyoza is the Japanese term. For our purposes, any frozen dumpling you enjoy will be perfect. Just look for a filling you love—chicken, pork, vegetable, or shrimp.
Tips
- Don’t skip toasting the ginger and garlic. That quick sauté in sesame oil is non-negotiable for building a deep, rounded flavor base; raw ginger in broth can taste sharp and unfinished.
- Resist the urge to stir the soup vigorously once the dumplings are in. A gentle stir is all you need to prevent sticking, but being too rough can cause them to break open.
- If you want a clearer broth, you can skim any little bits that rise to the top after adding the dumplings, but it’s purely aesthetic—the flavor will be great either way.
Making It Your Own: Variations & Swaps
The beautiful thing about this template of a recipe is how easily it adapts. Think of the base broth and dumplings as your canvas.
Swap spinach for chopped bok choy or kale, add sliced mushrooms with the carrots, or throw in a handful of frozen edamame for extra protein. A drizzle of chili oil or sriracha at the table is always a good idea for heat lovers.
What to Serve Alongside
This soup is satisfying all on its own for a light dinner. But if you’re extra hungry, or serving a crowd, a couple of simple sides round it out nicely.
A crisp cucumber salad with a rice vinegar dressing cuts through the richness beautifully. Or, keep it ultra-simple with some steamed jasmine rice on the side for dipping into the savory broth.
Storage & Making Ahead
This soup is truly best eaten right away, as the dumplings can become a bit soft when stored in the broth. If you have leftovers, that’s okay.
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Gently reheat only what you plan to eat, on the stove over low heat, to prevent the dumplings from falling apart completely.
Easy Dumpling Soup Recipe
Description
Frozen potstickers make this fragrant, warming, easy Asian dumpling soup recipe a total breeze. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for chilly nights, quick weeknights, or when you need comfort in a bowl. Packed with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and fresh veggies, it’s flavorful, nourishing, and easily customizable—just swap in veggie broth and meatless dumplings to make it vegetarian or vegan!
Ingredients
Instructions
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In a large pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook, stirring often, until fragrant—about 3 minutes.
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Add the chicken (or veggie) stock, soy sauce, white parts of the green onions, and carrots. Bring to a boil over high heat.
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Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until carrots begin to soften.
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Add the frozen dumplings and return to a gentle boil over high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through (follow package instructions if timing differs).
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Remove pot from heat. Stir in fresh spinach and let sit for 2–4 minutes until wilted.
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Season with sea salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining green onion slices and sesame seeds if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
Serving Size 1 bowl
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 277kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 10g16%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Cholesterol 25mg9%
- Sodium 980mg41%
- Potassium 420mg12%
- Total Carbohydrate 32g11%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 5g
- Protein 14g29%
- Calcium 6 mg
- Iron 15 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Use vegetable broth and plant-based frozen dumplings.
- Extra Veggies: Add bok choy, mushrooms, or zucchini for more nutrients.
- Spice it up: Add a dash of chili oil or red pepper flakes for heat.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and certified GF dumplings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh dumplings instead of frozen?
Yes! Fresh dumplings cook faster—usually in 2–3 minutes. Add them toward the end and simmer just until they float and are cooked through.
How long does this soup keep in the fridge?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Note: dumplings may soften over time, but the flavor stays delicious!
Is this soup freezer-friendly?
It’s best enjoyed fresh. Freezing can make dumplings mushy, so we don’t recommend freezing the full soup. However, you can freeze the broth base (without dumplings and spinach) and add fresh ingredients when reheating.