When oliver came home from school last winter asking for "that dumpling soup from lunch," I knew exactly what he meant. This potsticker soup has become our go-to Asian comfort food on chilly evenings - a warming bowl filled with tender potsticker dumplings, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful broth that takes just 30 minutes to make. After testing different versions of this easy potsticker soup recipe, I've perfected a method that delivers restaurant-quality Chinese potsticker soup using frozen potstickers and simple pantry ingredients.
Why Make This Potsticker Soup
When you need a quick weeknight dinner that feels special, this potsticker soup is your answer. I've been making this dumpling soup for years now, and it's become oliver's most-requested meal when he's feeling under the weather or just wants something cozy. The beauty of this homemade potsticker soup is how flexible it is - use any frozen potstickers recipe you have, whether they're pork potsticker soup filling, chicken, or vegetarian. Unlike searching for potsticker soup Trader Joe's or trying to recreate potsticker soup chef john versions, this easy dinner ideas approach lets you customize everything to your family's taste.
What makes this Chinese dumpling soup so reliable is that it's practically impossible to mess up. The potsticker dumplings cook right in the flavorful broth, and you can add whatever vegetables you have on hand - potsticker soup with cabbage, mushrooms, or the classic potsticker soup with bok choy. oliver loves helping add the green onions at the end, watching them wilt into the steaming wonton soup style broth. This Asian soup recipe proves that takeout-quality meals can happen in your own kitchen faster than delivery. Whether you're experienced with gyoza soup or new to making meal prep soup, this 30-minute meal will become a weekly staple that everyone requests.
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Ingredients For Potsticker Soup
Soup Base:
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Potstickers & Vegetables:
- 20-24 frozen potstickers
- 2 cups bok choy, chopped
- 1 cup napa cabbage, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 carrot, julienned
- 2 cups baby spinach
Optional Add-ins:
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk for creamy potsticker soup
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce
- 2 teaspoons fish sauce
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Bean sprouts
- Cilantro
How To Make Potsticker Soup Step By Step
Step 1: Build Your Flavorful Broth
Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add minced ginger and garlic, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant - don't let them burn or your potsticker broth will taste bitter. Pour in your chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sugar. Bring everything to a gentle simmer. This aromatic base is what transforms this from basic dumpling soup into something special. Add sliced green onions (save some for garnish) and let the broth simmer for 5 minutes so all those Asian soup recipe flavors can meld together beautifully.
Step 2: Add Vegetables
Now toss in your heartier vegetables that need more cooking time - the napa cabbage, sliced mushrooms, and julienned carrots. These veggies add texture and nutrition to your Chinese potsticker soup. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes until they start to soften but still have a bit of bite. oliver always reminds me that "crunchy carrots are more fun" in his potsticker soup with cabbage version, so don't overcook them!
Step 3: Cook the Frozen Potstickers
Here's the magic moment - add your frozen potstickers directly to the simmering soup. No need to thaw them first for this frozen potstickers recipe method! They'll cook right in the broth, absorbing all those wonderful flavors while releasing a bit of starch that naturally thickens your homemade potsticker soup. Let them simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or follow the package directions. They're done when they float to the top and look plump. Stir gently to prevent sticking to the bottom.
Step 4: Add Quick-Cooking Greens
Once your potsticker dumplings are cooked through, add the bok choy and baby spinach. These tender greens only need about 2 minutes to wilt perfectly in your potsticker soup with bok choy. If you're making the creamy version, this is when you'd stir in that coconut milk for the pioneer woman potsticker soup inspired richness. Taste your broth and adjust seasonings - maybe a splash more soy sauce or rice vinegar depending on your preference.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish
Ladle your steaming pork potsticker soup (or whatever filling you used) into bowls, making sure everyone gets a good mix of dumplings and vegetables. Top with extra sliced green onions, a drizzle of sesame oil, and maybe some sriracha if you like heat. oliver likes his with a soft-boiled egg on top, which makes it feel extra special. This one pot meal is ready to enjoy immediately while everything is hot and those gyoza soup style dumplings are at their most tender.
Potsticker Soup Variations
Thai Coconut Potsticker Soup
- Add full can coconut milk for creamy base
- Include lemongrass stalk and lime leaves
- Finish with fresh cilantro and lime juice
- Creates restaurant-style Thai coconut potsticker soup
Spicy Korean Mandu Soup
- Add gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to broth
- Use Korean mandu dumplings
- Include kimchi and soft tofu
- Top with sesame seeds and nori
Miso Ginger Potsticker Soup
- Dissolve 3 tablespoons white miso into broth
- Double the fresh ginger amount
- Add cubed silken tofu
- Creates Japanese gyoza soup style
Coconut Curry Potsticker Soup
- Stir in 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- Add coconut milk for creaminess
- Include Thai basil and lime
- Spicy Asian fusion soup twist
Egg Drop Potsticker Soup
- Drizzle beaten eggs into simmering broth
- Creates silky egg ribbons throughout
- Add extra green onions
- Comforting wonton soup variation
Ramen Style Potsticker Soup
- Add cooked ramen noodles
- Top with soft-boiled egg and nori
- Include corn and bean sprouts
- Hearty meal prep soup option
Equipment For Potsticker Soup
- Large pot or Dutch oven (at least 6 quarts)
- Sharp knife for prep
- Ladle
- Cutting board
- Soup bowls
Substitutions
Broth Options:
- Chicken broth → Vegetable broth
- Regular → Bone broth for extra richness
- Standard → Beef broth for heartier flavor
- Plain → Miso paste dissolved in water
Potsticker Choices:
- Pork → Chicken potstickers
- Meat → Vegetarian dumplings
- Regular → Shrimp wontons
- Frozen → Fresh handmade dumplings
Vegetable Swaps:
- Bok choy → Baby spinach
- Napa cabbage → Regular cabbage for potsticker soup with cabbage
- Mushrooms → Water chestnuts
- Carrots → Bell peppers
Creamy Version:
- Coconut milk → Heavy cream
- Full-fat → Light coconut milk
- Dairy → Cashew cream
- Regular → Evaporated milk
Storage Tips
Based on countless batches of this one pot meal, here's what works:
Best Fresh
- Serve potsticker soup immediately for best texture
- Fresh dumplings stay tender not soggy
- Vegetables maintain perfect crunch
- Broth flavors are most vibrant when hot
Make Ahead Strategy
- Prep all vegetables up to 1 day ahead
- Make potsticker broth and refrigerate separately
- Keep frozen potstickers frozen until cooking
- Assemble and cook when ready to serve
Refrigerator Storage (2-3 Days)
- Store cooled potsticker soup in airtight container
- Dumplings will absorb broth and get softer
- Reheat gently on stovetop, adding extra broth
- Best for this dumpling soup within 2 days
Reheating Tips
- Add ½ cup extra chicken broth when reheating
- Warm over medium-low heat, don't boil
- Potsticker dumplings can break apart if too rough
- Microwave individual portions 2-3 minutes
Freezer Storage (Not Recommended)
- Potstickers become mushy when frozen in broth
- Better to freeze components separately
- Freeze extra broth alone for up to 3 months
- Cook fresh potstickers when ready to eat
Component Storage:
- Broth alone freezes beautifully for 3 months
- Prep veggies last 3 days refrigerated
- Keep frozen potstickers in original packaging
- Fresh ginger lasts 2 weeks in fridge
Top Tip
- Six months ago, oliver insisted on helping make this potsticker soup all by himself while I supervised. Everything was going perfectly until it came time to add the frozen potstickers. I'd told him to add them "one at a time," but he got excited and dumped the entire bag - all 40 potstickers - into the pot at once. Our usual recipe calls for about 20, so we suddenly had way too many dumplings and not enough broth.
- Instead of starting over, we decided to just add more chicken broth and vegetables to make it work. What we discovered was amazing - this "dumpling disaster" created the heartiest, most filling version of potsticker soup we'd ever made. It was less soupy and more like a dumpling stew with just enough flavorful broth to coat everything. oliver was thrilled that his mistake made the recipe better for his appetite.
Grandma's Secret Fix Passed Down for Generations
My grandmother taught me something about potsticker soup that changed everything. She grew up making Chinese dumpling soup in her family's small restaurant, and she had a trick that most people never think about. After the potstickers cook in the broth, she'd remove them temporarily with a slotted spoon and set them aside in a warm bowl.
Then she'd simmer the broth for an extra 3 minutes on high heat to concentrate all those flavors and reduce it slightly. The potsticker dumplings release starch into the liquid, and this quick reduction transforms that starchy water into a silky, restaurant-quality potsticker broth that clings to everything. She'd return the dumplings to the pot, add her greens, and the result was incredible - each spoonful had this velvety texture that made people wonder what her secret was.
Grandma also taught me to always toast the sesame oil with the ginger and garlic first. "Wake up the oil," she'd say. That 30 seconds of toasting releases compounds that make the whole dumpling soup smell and taste more complex. It's such a small step that most easy potsticker soup recipes skip, but it's the difference between good soup and the kind that makes people ask for your recipe. These two tricks have been in our family for three generations now, and I'm happy to share them with you.
FAQ
What veggies to put in potsticker soup?
Classic vegetables for potsticker soup with bok choy include bok choy, napa cabbage, mushrooms, carrots, and spinach. You can also add snow peas, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, or bell peppers. Choose a mix of hearty vegetables that need longer cooking and quick-cooking greens for the best texture in your Chinese potsticker soup.
Can I add frozen potstickers to soup?
Yes! Add frozen potstickers directly to simmering potsticker broth without thawing. They'll cook in 5 to 7 minutes and absorb delicious flavors from the soup. Just make sure your broth is at a full simmer before adding them - cold liquid makes dumplings gummy. This frozen potstickers recipe method is actually easier than thawing first.
What goes with potsticker soup?
This dumpling soup is a complete one pot meal, but you can serve it with spring rolls, edamame, Asian cucumber salad, or steamed rice on the side. Crispy wontons or prawn crackers add nice texture contrast. For dessert, fortune cookies or fresh orange slices complement this Asian comfort food perfectly.
When to add frozen dumplings to soup?
Add frozen dumplings after your vegetables have cooked for about 5 minutes in simmering broth. The broth should be at a gentle boil - not just warm. Let potsticker dumplings cook 5 to 7 minutes until they float and look plump. Adding them too early to cold liquid or too late with overcooked vegetables affects texture in your homemade potsticker soup.
Cozy Asian Comfort in Minutes!
Now you have everything you need to make perfect potsticker soup - from building a flavorful broth to oliver's extra dumpling discovery. This easy potsticker soup recipe proves that restaurant-quality Asian soup can happen in your own kitchen in just 30 minutes.
Craving more Asian-inspired meals? Try our Easy Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole for comfort food with a kick. For another quick dinner, our Easy Chicken with Buttered Noodles Recipe comes together just as fast. Want more simple pleasures? Our Easy Brownie Mix Cookies in Just 3 ingredients! deliver chocolate satisfaction when you need dessert!
Share your soup success! Tag @SarahAndoliverKitchen and #PotstickerSoup. We love seeing your cozy creations!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Potsticker Soup
Potsticker Soup
🍳 Equipment
- 1 Large pot or Dutch oven (At least 6 quarts)
- 1 Sharp knife (For chopping vegetables)
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Ladle (For serving)
- 4 Soup bowls
Ingredients
Soup Base
- 6 cups chicken broth - substitute vegetable or bone broth if preferred
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce - to taste
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil - toasted preferred
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - adds tang
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger - minced
- 3 cloves garlic - minced
- 2 green onions - sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar - optional, balances saltiness
Potstickers & Vegetables
- 20-24 frozen potstickers - pork, chicken, or vegetable
- 2 cups bok choy - chopped
- 1 cup napa cabbage - sliced
- 8 oz mushrooms - sliced
- 1 carrot - julienned
- 2 cups baby spinach - fresh
Optional Add-ins
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk - for creamy version
- 1 tablespoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce - for spice
- 2 teaspoon fish sauce - for umami depth
- 2 soft-boiled eggs - for garnish
- ½ cup bean sprouts - optional topping
- cilantro - garnish
Instructions
- Build the flavorful sesame-ginger broth with aromatics and simmer for depth.
- Add napa cabbage, mushrooms, and carrots; simmer until tender-crisp.
- Cook frozen potstickers directly in the simmering broth until plump.
- Add bok choy, spinach, and optional coconut milk; season to taste.
- Serve hot with garnishes like green onions, sesame oil, or soft-boiled egg.
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