This Broken Dumpling Stir Fry has quickly become one of my favorite easy dinners because it’s so simple but still packed with flavor. The ultimate test is if my kids love it, and they do! I love that it delivers all the cozy, savory dumpling vibes without the folding and fuss, because who has time for that?! It reminds me a lot of egg roll in a bowl, but instead it captures that juicy, gingery dumpling filling in the easiest, most weeknight-friendly way. So, if you’re looking for a great take-out-but-not-take-out meal, this is the one for you!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This
- It comes together in one skillet, making cleanup easy.
- This quick and easy dish is ready in under 30 minutes and is perfect for busy nights.
- You can customize it with different proteins or add-ins.
- It tastes like you ordered takeout, but it’s made at home and so much healthier.
- This one is kid-approved and picky-eater friendly.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Sesame Oil: A classic Asian oil that adds nutty depth and authentic stir-fry flavor.
- Aromatics: Fresh garlic and fresh ginger, both finely chopped brings boldness, and a bright, spicy zing.
- Ground Pork: Pork is most commonly used in dumplings, but you can use other ground meat if you prefer.
- Cabbage: Chopped bok choy and shredded napa cabbage add sweetness and substance that is delicious!
- Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor with a hint of sharpness. You can also use spring onions.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce gives a salty, umami-rich foundation for the sauce. You can also use coconut aminos to make it gluten-free.
- Honey: The honey balances the savory flavors with a mild sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: A classic Asian vinegar to add light acidity and brightness.
- Ground Ginger: Ginger powder helps deepen the sauce’s warm ginger flavor.
- Arrowroot Powder: Thickens the sauce to coat everything evenly. You can also use cornstarch or tapioca starch.
- Wonton Wrappers: The star of the show! Be careful when boiling them because they like to clump together.
- Chili Crisp: My homemade Chili Crunch adds heat, crunch, and may be one of my favorite parts of this recipe.
Don’t Overstir
The wonton wrappers get quite clumpy if you stir them too much, so keep that in mind as you cook them and then as you stir them into the stir fry. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the water to reduce sticking.
Kitchen Tools:
- Large Nonstick Skillet
- Wooden Spoon
- Garlic Press
- Mircoplane Grater
- Small Bowl
- Large Pot
How to Make Broken Dumpling Stir Fry
- Heat the oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add in the aromatics, and cook until it becomes fragrant, and then add in the pork. Break up the meat into a crumbly consistency.
- Once the pork is golden brown, add in the bok choy and cabbage and stir. Cook the vegetables for 4-5 minutes.
- In a bowl, stir together the sauce ingredients.
- Pour the sauce over the meat and veggies, and leave it to cook until all of the veggies have wilted.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Working in batches, add half of the wonton pieces individually into the pot so that they do not clump together. Stir gently as they cook, and then use a slotted spoon to remove them individually from the boiling water and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Repeat cooking the second half of the wrappers.
- In a small bowl, stir together the water and arrowroot powder. Once the bok choy and napa cabbage are tender, move the mixture to the side and pour in the arrowroot and water, and stir to thicken the sauce.
- Drain the wonton wrappers and add them to the meat mixture. Very gently stir to incorporate them without overstirring.
- Divide between bowls and top with chili crunch, chopped green onions, and sesame seeds.
Work in batches
Be sure to work in batches with the wonton wrappers and keep them in a single layer in the pot as best as possible.
Ways to Modify
- Swap pork for ground chicken or turkey for something lighter, or use ground beef for a richer flavor. Also, shrimp would be a delicious option.
- Add shredded carrots for sweetness and color, or snap peas, snow peas, green beans, or bell peppers for crunch.
- Use green or red cabbage if you don’t have napa.
- Skip chili crisp for kid-friendly or, on the other spectrum, add siracha or red pepper flakes for more heat.
Dietary Customizations
- Gluten-Free: Change the broken dumpling element and use rice noodles instead of wonton pieces, or use gluten-free lasagna noodles (cook according to directions and then cut into small pieces). Also, use gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos.
- Vegan/Vegetarian: Use maple syrup instead of honey and use a plant-based meat substitute or tofu.
- Low FODMAP: Skip the garlic, and it will still be delicious!
Serving Suggestions:
This is delicious served with rice or Coconut Cauliflower Rice, especially if you end up skipping the wontons. I also love Hawaiian Fried Rice or Pork Fried Rice, and you can just leave out the meat if you want to.
To make your own chili sauce, I have two recipes that you have to try: Chili Crunch or Chili Oil.
Common Questions
You can use baby bok choy, savoy cabbage, red cabbage, or green cabbage. Another quick and convenient option is a bag of coleslaw mix.
It’s all the delicious filling and flavor of tender dumplings, just without folding them into wrappers. Everything is tossed together instead and is so much quicker and easier.
Yes, to save on cooking time in the evening, you can make this in parts. The filling reheats beautifully, so go ahead and make it according to directions, and then store it in an airtight container and reheat on the stove over medium heat. I recommend doing the dumpling part right before serving and adding the cooked “dumplings” and serving them fresh.
Not unless you add chili crisp. The base recipe is savory and kid-friendly.
Absolutely. Another great way to enjoy this recipe is served over rice, cauliflower rice, rice noodles, or on its own.
Allow the stir fry to cool to room temperature and then store it in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.
More Asian Recipes You Will Love
- Asian Pork Meatballs
- Sticky Asian Wings
- Asian Brussels Sprout Salad
- Korean Beef Bowl
- Korean Air Fryer Chicken
If you make this Broken Dumpling Stir Fry, let me know in the comments section below. I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram. I love seeing your photos!
Broken Dumpling Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tbsp chopped ginger
- 1 lbs ground pork (or ground turkey or chicken)
- 8 oz baby bok choy roughly chopped
- 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 1 bunch scallions cut into 1 inch pieces (plus more for garnish)
- ⅓ cup soy sauce or tamari or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp arrowroot powder or corn starch or potato starch
- 10 wonton wrappers cut in half
- 1-2 tbsp Chili crisp
Instructions
- Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add in the minced garlic and chopped ginger and cook for 1 minute until it becomes fragrant and then add in the ground pork. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into a crumbly consistency.
- Once the pork is no longer pink (approx 5 minutes) add in the bok choy and napa cabbage and stir. Cook the vegetables for 4-5 minutes.
- In a bowl stir together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar and ground ginger.
- Pour the sauce over the meat and veggies and leave it to cook on medium heat until all of the veggies have wilted.
- Meanwhile bring a pot of salted water to a boil. I recommend working in batches. Add half of the wonton pieces into the pot being sure to add each one in individually so that they do not clump together. Stir gently as they cook so they don’t stick together and then after 2 minutes of cooking use a slotted spoon to remove them individually from the boiling water and transfer to a bowl of cold water. Repeat cooking the second half of the wrappers.
- In a small bowl stir together the water and arrowroot powder. Once the bok choy and napa cabbage are tender, move the mixture to the side so there is a small space in the pan with the excess sauce. Pour in the arrowroot and water and stir. This will help to thicken up the sauce.
- Leave to cook for a minute or two and then drain the wonton wrappers and add them to the meat mixture. Very gently stir once or twice to incorporate them without overstirring which will cause the wontons to clump.
- Divide between bowls and top with chili crunch and chopped scallions.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it was!
