Vegetarian Dumplings

Vegetarian Dumplings are made with fresh mushrooms and sesame seeds. Great when served with this delicious homemade garlic chili oil.

Dumplings are a classic dish that can be made with meat or vegetables. Today, we’re making them vegetarian-style with a mix of garlic, onions, and mushrooms.

The filling is simple to make and easy to customize with your favorite veggies. So why not give them a try this weekend? They make the perfect appetizer or main course!

One thing I can never get enough of is dumplings or potstickers. There is just something about these little bites full of a delicious filling. I could eat them every single day.

So, I obviously can’t get take-out every single day. That’s where making these tasty little gems at home comes in. They are oh so delicious and I love them SO MUCH. I know you’ll love them as much as we do.

Here are some commonly asked questions

Do I have to use shiitake mushrooms, specifically? May I substitute with a different kind of mushroom?

Shiitake mushrooms are famous for adding umami (a savory, pleasant flavor) to any dish. They can best be described as a strong, buttery flavor that tastes like bacon to some.

Despite their ability to elevate a dish, shiitake mushrooms are not always available at your local supermarket. For this dish, it is perfectly acceptable to substitute with any of your favorites, including button or portobello mushrooms.

What is the purpose of adding ice cubes to the pan after the wonton wrappers turn golden brown and appear as though they are finished cooking?

If you were to remove your wontons from the pan before adding the ice cubes, you would find that the center did not cook through and the outside is very crunchy and hard. Adding the ice and placing a lid over the pan both steams the wonton wrappers and cooks the contents more thoroughly.

This recipe specifically calls for adding ice over liquid water to minimize the amount of splashing that would occur when adding it to a hot pan.

homemade dumplings

What can I substitute for wonton wrappers?

There are a lot of alternatives to wonton wrappers one can use. A couple of good alternatives would be rice paper or dumpling wrappers.

Though both of these options serve the same purpose as a wonton by containing the delicious filling in a bite-sized form, they may not taste exactly like the wonton wrapper. To make the rice paper taste more like a wonton, simply fry them to add a bit of crispiness to the outside.

Can I make my own wonton wrappers at home?

Absolutely! The process of making wonton wrappers at home is very easy. All you would need is one egg, ⅓ cup of water, 2 cups of flour, and ½ teaspoon of salt.

When making your wonton wrappers, start by combining the flour and salt, then make a well in the middle of the mixture for you to add your water and egg to the bowl.

When adding the egg and the water, combine them in a separate bowl first, then add them to the bowl of flour and salt. When added, mix all the ingredients together until well combined.

After all of your ingredients are well combined, knead the dough until it is more of an elastic consistency, then ball it. After allowing the ball of dough to sit for about ten minutes, you are ready to cut it into smaller, more manageable sizes (into quarters for instance) and roll it into a thin, flat sheet.

After cutting the sheet into the size of wonton wrappers you would like (wonton wrappers are traditionally 3 x 3 squares) you are ready to include them in this recipe.

Ingredients for Vegetarian Dumplings

Garlic Chili Oil

• ½ cup toasted sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Dumplings

• 4 ounces of shiitake mushrooms
• 1 clove of garlic smashed and peeled
• 2 green onions roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
• 12 4” wonton wrappers
• ¼ cup raw white sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Can I substitute fresh garlic with minced or powdered garlic?

Store-bought minced garlic is a perfectly acceptable alternative to fresh cloves of garlic. Generally, I am more likely to have this on hand than fresh garlic since it is jarred and stored in the refrigerator. However, I would discourage relying on garlic powder as a substitute in this recipe since it will not have the same ability to incorporate its flavor throughout the filling.

Can these be made with another filling?

You bet – if you want to add a little pork or chicken inside instead of the mushroom or in addition to the mushrooms – that is always a super tasty option.

How to Make Vegetarian Dumplings

1. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and green onions to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the mushrooms are a fine crumb– about 15 seconds.
2. Next, add the soy sauce and panko. Pulse again until the mixture resembles a coarse paste– another 10 seconds.
3. Fill each of the wonton wrappers with 1-2 teaspoons of mushroom filling. To seal, dip your finger in water and rub it along the edge of the wrapper. Bring the corners of the wrapper up to the center and twist them to seal in the filling.
4. Brush the bottom of each wonton with water and dip it into the sesame seeds.
5. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and then add the wontons to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until they are crisp and golden brown on the bottom.
6. **Working quickly, add a small handful of ice cubes to the pan and immediately cover it with a lid. Shake the pan gently and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the dumplings are tender.
7. Remove the dumplings to a plate and garnish with additional green onion and sesame seeds, if desired. Serve with garlic chili oil and enjoy.
8. Storage: Leftover dumplings can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.

I don’t like spicy foods. Can I omit the red pepper flakes?

Most of the time, the flavor is the only part of a dish that hinges on the use of certain dry ingredients. This is great because you can omit most dry ingredients without sacrificing the consistency of certain sauces, or the integrity of the overall dish.

In this instance, you can refrain from using red pepper flakes in this recipe if you do not prefer the spice that they add to the dish.

How to Make Garlic Chili Oil

1. Add the sesame oil, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes to a small, cold saucepan. Set the pan over medium-low heat.
2. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic is just fragrant and beginning to sizzle. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside to cool. Cool completely before enjoying.
3. Storage: Store any leftover garlic chili oil in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Bring to room temperature before enjoying.

What goes well with vegetarian dumplings?

These dumplings are versatile enough to be part of the main dish by pairing them with some white rice and broccoli or to be used as a side dish for a vegetable stir fry. If you are looking for a good dish to pair with your dumplings, be sure to try my simple Teriyaki Stir Fry recipe.

How long can I store my vegetarian dumplings in the refrigerator?

Provided that you did not leave them at room temperature after cooking or during serving for more than an hour, you can store your dumplings in the refrigerator for up to two days before you should make another batch.

It is important to know that the refrigerator does not stop the growth of microbes in your food, but slows their reproduction. This means that if you leave your food at room temperature for too long, you will be starting with more bacteria when you put it in the refrigerator, providing more organisms that can replicate once they are allowed to sit in your food.

Do I have to add the sesame seeds?

No, you can omit the sesame seeds if you like. I just love how pretty they make the dumpling and how visually stimulating they are. Plus they give a great nutty flavor when cooked like this.

Can dumplings be steamed in the instant pot?

You bet – dumplings are great when made in the instant pot. They just won’t have that crisp as you get in the skillet. However – you can cook them in the skillet afterward for a couple of minutes.

To make in the instant pot – place them in a bamboo steamer with the lid on top of your rack at the bottom of the pot. Add 1½ cups of water.

Put the lid on and set the valve to seal. Select the steam setting and set the time to 7 minutes.

Use a quick pressure release to release the pressure once done.

Products I love when making this delicious dumplings recipe…

This dumpling recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade dumplings before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this savory dinner recipe. (you can also SHOP MY FAVORITES in my store)

• cookware – skillet and saucepan
• food processor
• spider strainer
• prep bowls

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If you love this vegetarian dumplings recipe, you’re going to love these other Asian cuisine recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

Other Savory Snacks

Crab Rangoon

Air Fryer Shishito Peppers

Sweet Thai Chicken Wings

Chicken Egg Rolls

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