Dim Sum Dumplings with the Best Dipping Sauce
Tender, savory steamed dumplings served with a bold, tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet dipping sauce.
These homemade Dim Sum Dumplings are soft, flavorful, and perfect for serving as an appetizer, snack, or part of a dim sum-style meal. The star of the recipe is the dipping sauce—a balanced combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil, ginger, garlic, and honey.
The sauce comes together in minutes and adds the perfect savory, spicy, tangy finish to every bite.
⏱ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Steamed
Ingredients
Dim Sum Dumplings
- 20–24 round dumpling or wonton wrappers
- ½ lb (225 g) ground pork or chicken
- ½ cup finely shredded cabbage
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Best Dipping Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons chili oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 stalk green onion or a small handful cilantro, finely sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
1. Make the Dipping Sauce
Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil, minced ginger, honey, and minced garlic to a small bowl.
Whisk thoroughly until the honey is completely incorporated.
Stir in the sliced green onion or cilantro.
Finish with the sesame seeds.
Set aside for at least 10 minutes before serving.
This short resting time allows the garlic and ginger to infuse the sauce.
2. Prepare the Dumpling Filling
Place the ground pork or chicken in a medium bowl.
Add the shredded cabbage, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, sugar, and black pepper.
Mix gently until everything is evenly combined.
Avoid overmixing, which can make the filling dense.
3. Fill the Wrappers
Place one dumpling wrapper on a clean work surface.
Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of filling into the center.
Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the outer edge of the wrapper.
4. Fold the Dumplings
Fold the wrapper over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
Press the edges firmly together to seal.
For a traditional pleated appearance, make several small folds along one side while pressing the edges together.
Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling.
5. Prepare the Steamer
Line a bamboo steamer basket with parchment paper, cabbage leaves, or perforated steamer liners.
Make sure there are small openings for steam to circulate.
Bring approximately 1–2 inches of water to a simmer in a pot that fits beneath the steamer.
The water should not touch the bottom of the dumplings.
6. Steam the Dumplings
Arrange the dumplings in the steamer, leaving a little space between each one so they don’t stick together.
Cover tightly with the lid.
Steam for approximately 8–10 minutes, depending on the size of the dumplings.
The wrappers should become tender and slightly translucent, and the filling should be completely cooked.
7. Check for Doneness
Carefully remove one dumpling and check the center.
Ground pork or chicken should be fully cooked, with no raw or pink center.
If necessary, steam for another 2–3 minutes.
8. Serve
Carefully transfer the hot dumplings to a serving platter.
Sprinkle with additional green onion, cilantro, or sesame seeds if desired.
Serve immediately with the prepared dipping sauce.
Dip each dumpling generously into the sauce just before eating.
Chef’s Tips
Don’t Overfill the Wrappers
Too much filling makes the dumplings difficult to seal and increases the chance of them opening during steaming.
Keep Wrappers Covered
Dumpling wrappers dry out quickly. Keep unused wrappers covered with a slightly damp kitchen towel while assembling.
Don’t Overcrowd the Steamer
Leave space between the dumplings so steam can circulate evenly.
Let the Sauce Rest
Allowing the dipping sauce to sit for about 10 minutes gives the ginger and garlic time to infuse the soy sauce.
Adjust the Spice
For a milder sauce, reduce the chili oil.
For extra heat, add another teaspoon of chili oil or a pinch of chili flakes.
How to Make the Dipping Sauce Even Better
For an extra flavorful sauce, add:
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- A pinch of white pepper
- ½ teaspoon finely grated garlic
- A drizzle of chili crisp
For a sweeter sauce, add another teaspoon of honey.
For a sharper sauce, increase the rice vinegar by ½ teaspoon at a time.
Make-Ahead Instructions
The dipping sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
Store it covered in the refrigerator and stir well before serving.
The uncooked dumplings can also be assembled several hours ahead of time.
Keep them covered and refrigerated until ready to steam.
Freezing Instructions
Place assembled, uncooked dumplings on a parchment-lined baking sheet without allowing them to touch.
Freeze until firm.
Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Steam directly from frozen, adding approximately 3–5 minutes to the cooking time.
Do not thaw frozen dumplings before steaming.
Storage
Store leftover cooked dumplings in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Refrigerator: Up to 3 days.
Store the dipping sauce separately.
Reheating
Reheat dumplings in a steamer for several minutes until hot.
Steaming is preferred because it helps prevent the wrappers from becoming dry or tough.
Recipe Summary
These Dim Sum Dumplings with the Best Dipping Sauce are tender, savory, and packed with classic Asian-inspired flavors.
The homemade sauce brings together salty soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, fragrant sesame oil, spicy chili oil, fresh ginger, garlic, and sweet honey for a perfectly balanced dip.
Steamy dumplings + bold homemade dipping sauce = an irresistible dim sum favorite.