How to Cook Dumplings in an Instant Pot
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Savory Chinese inspired dumplings right in your Instant Pot.
One of my must have dishes from a Chinese restaurant are dumplings. I like mine steamed or fried. Though I must admit there is just something about the crunchiness that made me want to sear these to ensure maximum crunch. Don’t forget to serve your dumplings with soy sauce for dipping. I love that salty soy sauce flavor mixed with the crunchy dumplings.
Chinese dumplings are traditionally filled with minced meat and finely chopped vegetables wrapped into a piece of dough skin. The skin can be either thin and elastic or thick. I personally prefer a thicker dough skin? What type of dough do you prefer?
What are dumplings made of?
I made these dumplings out of ground turkey, onions, garlic and carrots. When purchasing them from your local chinese restaurant they are usually filled with ground chicken or pork. If you want to use either chicken or pork in this recipe it’s a simple swap and you can keep all the other ingredients the same.
Are dumplings called something else?
Chinese dumplings are usually called several different things. At my local chinese restaurant they call them potstickers. You can usually order them steamed or fried. You can purchase dumplings in the freezer section of your local grocery store, but let me tell you fresh is so much better and with your Instant Pot they can be so simple and easy to make.
Where can I buy ginger paste?
Ginger paste is sold at your local grocery store. You can find it in your produce department, It is usually in the refrigerator section near the fresh herbs. You may need to look at a large chain restaurant in order to find the ones that you are seeking. If you are unable to find ginger paste you can use minced ginger. I buy my minced ginger in the produce department near the minced garlic. It is usually near the salad toppings and it typically is not refrigerated.
Where is the difference between dumpling wrappers and egg roll wrappers?
Dumpling wrappers are thinner round wrappers. Egg roll wrappers tend to be thicker and rectangle. I would not recommend using egg roll wrappers as a substitute for dumpling wrappers. If you can’t find dumpling wrappers in your area here is a recipe to make your own dumpling wrappers. The best part of homemade dumpling wrappers is that they tend to be a little fluffier and delicious. Dumpling wrappers are usually in your produce department near the tofu.
Instant Pot Chinese Dumplings
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker with trivet
- 1 steamer basket fits inside the Instant Pot
- 1 blender or food processor
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 small bowl of water for sealing wrappers
Ingredients
- 1.25 pounds ground turkey
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 cup carrots shredded
- 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 spice
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce plus more for dipping
- 32 dumpling wrappers
- 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce for dipping, optional
Instructions
Make the filling
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add 2 tablespoons of the oil.
- Add the ginger paste and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring often.
- Add the ground turkey, onion, carrots, soy sauce, Chinese 5 spice, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Cook, stirring and breaking up the turkey, until no pink remains, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Turn off the Instant Pot. Transfer the filling to a blender or food processor and pulse a few times until finely chopped and slightly clumpy. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
Fill and fold the dumplings
- Lay 5 or 6 dumpling wrappers on a baking sheet. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of each.
- Dip a finger in water and wet the outside edge of each wrapper.
- Fold the wrapper in half over the filling like a taco, then pinch and pleat the edges together from the outside in.
- Set each dumpling back on the baking sheet and repeat until all the filling is used.
Sear and steam
- Wipe out the Instant Pot. Set it to Sauté and add 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil.
- Once hot, place dumplings flat side down in a single layer. Cook about 1 minute, until lightly browned, then flip briefly and remove to a plate.
- Repeat with the remaining dumplings, adding more oil as needed.
- Turn off Sauté. Pour 1/3 cup water into the pot and set the trivet inside.
- Place the steamer basket on the trivet and arrange the dumplings in a single layer. Work in batches if needed.
- Lock the lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on Manual or Pressure Cook (High) for 2 minutes.
- Quick release the pressure right away. Remove the dumplings and serve warm with soy sauce or teriyaki sauce for dipping.
Notes
Disclaimer:
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
Yummy! I thought dumplings were only eaten by pandas in Kung Fu Panda, just kidding. I’d like to make some in the future.
Yummy.i will definitely try this.it looks appetising.
Another great recipe for the InstaPot. I’ll try it — as my husband asked to have dumplings today, for lunch!
I am definitely missing dumplings. They are the best. I will try to make them at home.
Oh hey! This looks great. I’m going to try a Vegetarian variation of this recipe 🙂
This is great, since we are stuck at home, this would be wonderful to try.
This is an interesting recipe that explores the different culture so that it can reach a broader audience. I can’t wait to hear how the recipe turned out for everyone!
These Chinese dumplings are our favorite at home. I remember my grandma taught us the laborious way of preparing and cooking it, and she said that “.. you will learn to appreciate life if you know how to make dumplings.” Yes, a metaphor that gives us more understanding of the food is not just-food. It is a labor of love.
Wow! That’s very detailed. I will try cooking that once the lockdown here is over.
Wow, Looks a yummy recipe I would love to try this at home. Thanks for the recipe
I am gonna definitely try this dish in these pandemic days
You know this is the time we need such interesting food recipes as we have ample time to cook. Will definitely give it a try.
These are called gyoza here in Japan. I love them! I ate some tonight for dinner as I had a Chinese dish.
This is cool to see this recipe for an InstaPot recipe! I might have to try this one! Thanks!
Wow, these look really yummy. I am going to make them.
OMG, these are delicious! Thanks for sharing how to make them!
ohh my…love this recipe & gonna try to making while am stay home stay safe now
cheers,
siennylovesdrawing
These Chinese dumplings looks really yummy. I need to try this recipe. Perfect for our family gathering. They will like this for sure.