How to Make the Perfect Pan Fried Potstickers Guotie
Chinese · Medium · 45 min · 4 servings
Crispy bottomed Chinese dumplings filled with juicy pork and cabbage. These pan fried parcels are golden on one side and tender on the other.
Why this recipe works
This Pan Fried Potstickers Guotie recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 320 calories with 18g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 9 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 250 g ground pork
- 1.5 cups napa cabbage finely chopped
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 24 pieces round dumpling wrappers
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup water
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the filling
Salt the chopped napa cabbage and let it sit for 5 minutes then squeeze out all excess moisture. Combine the cabbage with ground pork, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Mix thoroughly until the filling is uniform and sticky.
Step 2: Fold the dumplings
Place a dumpling wrapper in your palm and add one teaspoon of filling to the center. Wet the edge of the wrapper with water using your finger, fold the wrapper in half and press the center to seal. Pleat the front edge toward the back edge to create 4 to 5 folds. Press firmly so no air pockets remain.
Step 3: Pan fry the bottoms
Heat vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Arrange dumplings flat side down in a single layer without touching each other. Fry undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottoms are deep golden brown and crispy.
Step 4: Steam to finish
Carefully pour the water into the skillet and immediately cover with a tight fitting lid. The water will splatter so stand back. Steam the dumplings for 6 to 7 minutes until all the water has evaporated and the wrappers are cooked through.
Step 5: Serve crispy side up
Remove the lid and let any remaining moisture evaporate for 1 minute. Slide a spatula under the dumplings and flip them onto a plate so the crispy golden bottom faces up. Serve immediately with soy sauce and chili oil for dipping.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground pork → ground chicken or shrimp
- napa cabbage → green cabbage or bok choy
- round dumpling wrappers → homemade dough or gyoza wrappers
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not squeezing enough water from the cabbage which makes the filling soggy and causes wrappers to tear
- Adding too much filling which prevents a proper seal and causes dumplings to burst during cooking
- Lifting the lid during steaming which releases steam and results in unevenly cooked dumplings
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 320 calories, 18g protein, 34g carbs, 12g fat, 2g fiber.
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