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These vegan dumplings are filled with Asian seasoned tofu and vegetables and should be enjoyed with the traditional dumpling dipping sauce. One of the best gyoza recipes ever – and I will teach you how to make them!
Japanese dumplings, also called gyozas, are one of my all-time favorite things to eat in the world. The homemade gyoza wrappers (wrappers = dough) are softly steamed with a crispy bottom and filled with deliciously marinated tofu and vegetables.
It’s a must to enjoy these vegan dumplings with the traditional salty sour dumplings sauce.
Why am I a dumpling expert?
I am not Japanese, but I dare to call me a dumpling expert.
I discovered them the first time in Melbourne (in a small Japanese restaurant), but couldn’t find them back in Switzerland. Therefore, I started to cook them by myself and have done them countless times.
And I receive a lot of compliments for my homemade dumplings (not to swagger, just to let you know this recipe rocks).
Let me teach you how to make these delicious vegan dumplings and how to fill, cook, and freeze homemade dumplings in general.
How To Make Homemade Dumplings – Step-by-Step
- Prepare the vegan dumpling filling and wrappers. I recommend using homemade gyoza wrappers, but you can also buy frozen ones in the Asia market. If so, take them out of the freezer a few hours before starting.
- Using your finger, make the outer part of the gyoza wrapper moist. This helps that the dumping is going to stick together when folding.
- Add about one teaspoon of the filling in the middle of your wrapper.
- Fold the wrapper into the middle and arrange the filling using your fingers if necessary.
- Starting in the middle, make 3 pleats each side (right & left) using your thumb and index finger.
- Make sure to watch the short video – it’s easier when you once saw how to do it!
How To Cook Dumplings
The best way to enjoy dumplings is when the bottom is crispy and golden brown, and the rest of the dough is steamed. To achieve that, follow these simple steps.
- Fry your dumplings for a few minutes in sesame oil until golden brown at the bottom.
- Add water, close the lid, and steam them until the water has evaporated.
- Remove the lid and cook for a few more minutes until you have a crispy bottom.
- Alternative: Cook dumplings for a few minutes in boiling water.
How To Freeze Dumplings
If you make dumplings, it’s better to make a large badge once and freeze some of them. Freezing the dumplings individual is important. If you have a small freezer, this is the best way.
- Lay an aluminum foil on the bottom of your freezer drawer.
- Carefully place each dumpling on it, make sure there is space between each one. Otherwise, they will stick together.
- Let them freeze for about 2 hours.
- When they are frozen, you can transfer all of them into a freezer zip bag – they don’t stick anymore.
- Cook them frozen (not thawed) the same way
than the fresh ones and steam for about 2 minutes longer.
Dumpling Dipping Sauce Recipe
- Mix sesame oil, soy sauce, and sushi vinegar.
- Optional add-ons:
- grated ginger or garlic
- sriracha or sambal
oelek - sesame seeds
- thinly sliced scallions
Did you try this recipe?
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Vegan Dumplings with Tofu
Ingredients
- 40 homemade gyoza wrappers or storebougt ones
Dumpling Filling
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or another oil
- 1 onion minced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp (20g) ginger minced
- 1 cups (120g | ~2) carrots shredded
- ½ cup (60g | ~½ stalk) leek shredded or chopped into thing rings
- 1 cup (140g) smoked tofu shredded
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sushi vinegar or mirin
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 lime only juice
- 1 tsp sriracha or sambal oelek optional
Dumpling Dipping Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sushi vinegar or mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha or sambal oelek optional
Instructions
Prepare Dumpling Filling
- Heat coconut oil in a skillet. Add minced onion, garlic, ginger and cook for 3 minutes. Shredd your veggies and tofu in a food processor. Add it with the spices to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer in a bowl and leave it to cool down for a few minutes.
Fill Dumplings
- Fill each gyoza wrapper with a heaped teaspoon of the filling. Fold and close the dumpling. See above in the blog post and in the video how to fill and fold dumplings.
- You can store them up to two days in your fridge or freeze the part you don’t eat right away.
Cook Dumplings
- Heat one tablespoon of sesame oil or another oil in a skillet. Add as many dumplings as fit, but don’t stuff them. Otherwise, they will stick together. Cook for 3 minutes until the bottom is golden.
- Add ¼ cup water and a lid. Steam for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and leave them for another 2 minutes, until the bottom is crispy.
- Mix the dipping sauce and serve with the cooked gyozas.
Notes
- You can freeze the uncooked dumplings. Place them on an aluminum foil in the freezer for about 1-2 hours – make sure to leave some space between each one to prevent them from sticking. When they are frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and store in the freezer up to one month. Cook them right out of the freezer, don’t defrost, and steam 2 minutes longer.
- The use of sriracha or sambal oelek is optional and gives an extra flavor if you like it spicy.
- Add sesame seeds or chopped scallions to your dipping sauce.
- Smoked tofu does contain less water and is my favorite for cooking. You can also use regular tofu, but make sure to press out the water before using it.
Alison says
Aline, these look SOO amazing, can’t wait to try them! Although, Id like to use all veggies?? Even as a vegan of almost 10 years, I am not the biggest tofu eater! (Maybe a coleslaw mix?, OR even broccoli slaw? To replace it?) What would you recommend? Thanks!
Aline Cueni says
Thank you, Alison! The texture won’t be quite the same, but sure, you can substitute the tofu with veggies. Add more carrots, leek, maybe some broccoli, shiitake mushrooms, cabbage, whatever you like! 😁 Enjoy them!
Steph B says
Holy hell. These are deeeeeeelicious. Tried veggie gyoza at a Japanese gyoza restaurant and desperately wanted to be able to make them at home but as I’m an amateur cook, my hopes were not high.
All I can say is. These are ADDICTIVE. I was eating the filling with a spoon unable to stop myself haha.
I made them once and I used the wrong Sambal Oelek and Chinese dumpling wrappers (wayyy too thick). I accidentally used Singapore style sambal paste which is different. Tried a second time with proper crushed chilli paste (sambal oelek) and wowwww.
make these dumplings!
Aline Cueni says
Hi Steph
Thank you so much for your comment! Awww this makes me so happy! The same happened to me after I enjoyed my first dumplings in a restaurant. So good (and much more affordable) to make them at home. The next step is to prepare the gyoza wrappers (recipe is on my blog) yourself. Takes those dumplings to another lever!
Have fun making them. All the best,
Aline
Luiza says
Delicious gyozas, I made them and my mum keeps asking meto repeat the recipe
Aline says
Thank you for letting me know Luiza! Dumplings are such a fun thing to eat! Your mum must be very lucky if you cook for her ?
All the best,
Aline
Ilse says
Made this today and they were so easy to make and they taste awesome !
Aline says
Dear Ilse,
Thank you for your kind words. I am so happy to hear that it was easy for you to make them! And yes, Dumplings are super delicious ?Have a wonderful Sunday!
All the best,
Aline
Yogesh says
It’s looking soo beautiful and delicious ?
Aline says
Thank you so much, Yogesh! I hope you find the time to try the recipe ?
All the best,
Aline