How To Steam Dumplings At Home In 8 Easy Steps

By Rajlakshmi

May 28, 2026

Making steamed dumplings is simple. The only thing that requires a little effort is shaping and pleating the dumpling!

Ingredients

Dumpling dough, as needed 450g pounded meat of choice 3 garlic cloves ¼ napa cabbage, chopped 1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated 1 tbsp soy sauce 1.5 tsp kosher salt Dumpling sauce, as needed

Step 1

Place the cabbage in a bowl and season with salt. Drain and mix sliced green onions and one pound of meat.

Step 2

Add garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and kosher salt. Mix well. Wrap your bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate it until ready to use.

Step 3

Take the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll out  ¼ of the dough into a ½ -inch-thick rectangle using a rolling pin.

Step 4

Use a circular cutter to cut out rounds of dough. To form your dumplings, place some of the filling in the middle of the dough circle.

Step 5

Seal the dumpling by brushing some water around the edge. Fold it over like a taco, leaving two open ends.

Step 6

Pinch down and repeat the procedure, working away from the centre seam until you have three equally spaced pleats.

Step 7

To steam, line a bamboo steamer with the saved cabbage leaves. Adjust your steamer to fit snugly over a saucepan of boiling water.

Step 8

Put as many dumplings as possible in your steamer basket without touching. Cover and steam for 7 to 10 minutes, or until well cooked!