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    Home » Sides

    Vegan Chinese Tofu Dumplings

    Published: Jan 9, 2023 by Jim Mee Sha · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These vegan tofu dumplings are flavorful, delicious, and filled with a great tofu and vegetable filling. They are relatively easy to prepare and only call for simple ingredients. Paired with a flavorful soy dipping sauce, these vegan Chinese dumplings are a crowd-pleaser! 

    A plate of tofu dumplings served with soy sauce with a pair of chopsticks and 2 cups of tea beside.

    If you are looking for a vegan dumpling recipe that is not mushy and tastes good, you must try these tofu dumplings! They are packed with tons of flavor and taste much better than the frozen ones you get in the supermarket. You will be surprised by how easy it is to make dumplings at home. 

    Jump to:
    • 💚Why you will love this recipe 
    • 🥟What you will need 
    • 📃Ingredient notes and substitutions 
    • 🔪How to make 
    • 🎥Watch how to make them
    • ✔️Helpful tips 
    • 🍴Other ways to cook dumplings 
    • ❄️Storing suggestions 
    • ❔Commonly asked questions
    • 🍽️More vegan side dishes
    • 📖 Recipe

    💚Why you will love this recipe 

    • Incredibly tasty, comforting, and are meat-eaters approved 
    • Healthy and packed with veggies and plant protein 
    • Relatively simple and easy to make 
    • Freeze well - the perfect meal prep recipe! 

    🥟What you will need 

    Ingredients needed to make filling like tofu, carrot, cabbage, dumpling wrappers, mushrooms, and other aromatics.
    Seasonings needed like shaoxing wine, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar.
    Ingredients needed for dipping sauce like rice vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, and sesame oil.

    📃Ingredient notes and substitutions 

    • Dumpling wrappers - I am using store-bought ones as it is much more convenient.
      • You can get them in most well-stocked groceries or your local Asian market. Alternatively, get dumpling wrappers online through Amazon. 
      • You can also choose to make your dumpling wrappers at home. 
    • Tofu - use extra-firm or firm tofu that has been drained and pressed beforehand, either using a tofu press or by stacking something heavy on top. 
    • Soy sauce - can be substituted with tamari or shoyu. Use gluten-free ones if needed. 
    • Sugar - Any kind of sweeteners can be used, like cane sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup. 

    🔪How to make 

    Here is a quick rundown on the steps involved in making tofu dumplings: 

    1. Stir-fry the tofu vegetable filling 
    2. Wrapping the dumplings 
    3. Cooking them using the pan-steamed method 
    4. Making the dipping sauce 

    Now, let us go into more detail! 

    Making the filling

    Start by crumbling your tofu into small pieces, using a fork or your hands. Set aside. 

    Combine all seasonings needed to make the stir-fry sauce. 

    Crumbled tofu in a plate with a fork beside with a blue teacloth beside.
    Stir-fry sauce for filling in a ramekin with a spoon with 2 empty sauce dishes beside.

    Heat some oil in a large non-stick pan. Once heated, add garlic and ginger. Fry for a minute until fragrant. 

    Next, add cabbage, carrot, mushrooms, and a sprinkle of salt. Fry until the veggies are wilted, and the mixture is dry. 

    Cooked ginger and garlic in a non-stick pan on a white teacloth.
    Cooked vegetables in a black and white non-stick pan with a plate of crumbled tofu beside.

    Add crumbled tofu along with the stir-fry sauce. Cook until tofu is hot. Remove from heat and stir in the green onion. 

    Pouring stir-fry sauce into a pan of tofu and vegetables on a white checkered teacloth.
    Dumpling filling in a black and white pan on a white teacloth.

    Give it a taste, adding more salt if needed. Let the filling cool down slightly before moving on to wrapping the tofu dumplings. 

    Wrapping the dumplings 

    The easiest way is to fold dumplings into a half-moon shape. Simply place a tablespoon of filling in the middle and fold the wrapper over the filling to meet the other edge. Seal it by pinching the edges. 

    Lightly squish the dumplings to flatten the base. That’s it! 

    The other common way to seal dumplings is to pleat them. 

    To do so, start by placing a wrapper in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Place a tablespoon of filling at the center. 

    Dip your finger in water, and wet the bottom half rim of the wrapper, which is the side you will pleat. 

    Using your dominant hand, fold the bottom half of the wrapper over the filling to meet the top half. Pinch to seal at one end, and start to form a pleat. Once the pleat is formed, pinch it to seal. 

    Wetting the rim of a dumpling wrapper with a finger.
    Pinching one end of a dumpling wrapper.
    Forming a pleat on the edge of a dumpling wrapper.

    Repeat pleating until you get to the other end, and pinch to seal the dumpling completely. 

    Holding a pleated dumpling on a grey background.

    With the dumplings standing, lightly squish them to flatten the base. 

    Cooking dumplings (pan-steamed method) 

    Heat some oil in a non-stick pan. Place in some of the dumplings, making sure they are not touching. 

    Pan-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the base is golden brown. 

    Pour in ¼ cup of water, and quickly place the lid on to trap the steam. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until most of the water evaporates, and the dumplings are semi-translucent. 

    Remove the lid and let the dumplings cook for another 30 seconds to crisp up the base. Serve these Chinese tofu dumplings immediately. 

    Uncooked tofu dumplings in a non-stick pan on a white checkered teacloth.
    Cooked dumplings in a non-stick pan on a grey background.

    Making the dipping sauce 

    Simply combine all ingredients needed. Give it a taste, adding more of any seasonings if needed. 

    Dipping sauce for dumplings in a ramekin with a spoon with 2 empty ramekins beside.

    🎥Watch how to make them

    ✔️Helpful tips 

    • You can chop your veggies in a food processor to make prepping easier. 
    • When wrapping the dumplings, cover unused wrappers with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out. 
    • Don’t get too hung up with the shape of the dumplings; they will still be delicious! Make sure they are tightly sealed so the filling stays intact while cooking. As mentioned above, you can opt for the half-moon shape if you are unsure how to pleat them properly. 
    • Be careful not to overstuff dumplings. They might not seal properly and break while cooking. 
    • When cooking the tofu dumplings, ensure they are not touching one another to prevent them from sticking together. 

    🍴Other ways to cook dumplings 

    Other than the classic pan-steamed method, here are some other delicious ways to cook up your vegan Chinese dumplings: 

    Air fryer - Place dumplings into the air fryer basket, and spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 6-8 minutes at 180C/350F or until golden brown. 

    Baking - Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Lightly grease a baking sheet, and arrange dumplings onto it. Coat dumplings with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until dumplings are lightly browned. 

    Steaming - You can steam tofu dumplings in a bamboo or a regular steamer. Before cooking, line the steamer with a non-stick liner. Steam for 8-10 minutes or until the dumplings are semi-translucent. 

    Boiling - Bring a pot of water to a boil, and gently slip in dumplings. You might need to use a spoon to push them around to prevent them from touching one another. Cover with a lid. 

    When the water starts to boil again, pour in ½ cup water, then cover. Repeat this step 2-3 times or until the dumplings float to the surface. Once cooked, remove them using a slotted spoon. 

    Picking up a dumpling from a plate of dumplings served with soy sauce.

    ❄️Storing suggestions 

    Here is how to freeze uncooked tofu dumplings: 

    1. Grease a baking sheet or other large plates with some cooking spray. 
    2. Arrange dumplings on the baking sheet in one layer, ensuring they are not touching one another. 
    3. Place them into the freezer for an hour or until the dumplings are frozen. 
    4. Gently remove them from the baking sheet, and transfer them to a zip-top bag or storage container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. 

    When ready to enjoy, simply reheat them from frozen, and increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. You DO NOT need to thaw them beforehand. 

    ❔Commonly asked questions

    Are dumplings gluten-free?

    Unfortunately, most dumplings are not gluten-free, as the wrapper is made from wheat flour. However, you can make these homemade tofu dumplings gluten-free by using gluten-free dumpling wrappers. 

    Rice papers are another great alternative, but you need to bake or air-fry your dumplings instead of pan-frying them.

    Why do my dumplings fall apart?

    If your dumplings break apart from cooking, you did not manage to seal them tightly enough. Lightly wet the bottom ½ edge of your dumpling wrappers to help securely seal them. 

    Other than that, you might have overstuffed your dumplings, which increases the chances of the seal breaking while cooking.

    Are dumpling wrappers vegan?

    Most of the dumplings wrappers are made from wheat flour and water, making them naturally vegan. Sometimes eggs might be added to them, so it is always recommended to read the ingredients label to ensure they are free from animal products.

    Can wonton wrappers be used instead of dumpling wrappers?

    Wonton wrappers are an excellent substitute for dumpling wrappers. Due to their shape, you might have to shape them differently. The easiest way is to fold them in half and seal the edges to create a triangular shape.

    Dipping a dumpling in soy sauce using a pair of chopsticks with 2 cups of tea beside.

    🍽️More vegan side dishes

    • A bowl of cabbage tofu stir-fry served with chopsticks with bowl of rice, green onion, and chili flakes beside.
      Vegan Tofu Cabbage Stir-fry with Mushrooms
    • Tofu egg rolls on a chopping board served with ketchup and soy sauce.
      Vegan Tofu Egg Rolls
    • A plate of stir-fry vegetables on a wooden board with bowl of rice and chopsticks beside.
      Indian Stir-fry Vegetables
    • A plate of chickpea patties served with yogurt and lemon slices.
      Vegan Chickpea Patties

    If you did make this recipe, do leave a rating and comment down below, we love hearing from you! Subscribe to My Plantiful Cooking to get new recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get the latest updates. 😉

    📖 Recipe

    A plate of dumplings served with soy sauce with a pair of chopsticks and 2 cups of tea beside.

    Vegan Chinese Tofu Dumplings

    Meesha
    These vegan tofu dumplings are flavorful, delicious, and filled with a great tofu and vegetable filling. They are relatively easy to prepare and only call for simple ingredients. Paired with a flavorful soy dipping sauce, these vegan Chinese dumplings are a crowd-pleaser! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Chinese
    Servings 25 dumplings
    Calories 37 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the dumplings

    • ½ block extra-firm tofu (about 7 oz/200g)
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari/shoyu
    • ½ tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 teaspoon shaoxing wine
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ½ tablespoon minced ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 3 shiitake mushrooms chopped
    • 1 cup shredded cabbage
    • ½ medium carrot shredded
    • 1 stalk green onion chopped
    • salt to taste
    • 25-30 dumpling wrappers *

    For the dipping sauce

    • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari/shoyu
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or another liquid sweetener
    • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    Making the filling

    • Start by crumbling your tofu into small pieces, using a fork or your hands. Set aside.
      ½ block extra-firm tofu
    • Combine all seasonings needed to make the stir-fry sauce.
      1 tablespoon soy sauce, ½ tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon shaoxing wine, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon sugar
    • Heat some oil in a large non-stick pan. Once heated, add garlic and ginger. Fry for a minute until fragrant.
      ½ tablespoon minced ginger, 2 cloves garlic
    • Next, add mushrooms, cabbage, carrot, and a sprinkle of salt. Fry until the veggies are wilted, and the mixture is dry.
      3 shiitake mushrooms, 1 cup shredded cabbage, ½ medium carrot
    • Add crumbled tofu along with the stir-fry sauce. Cook until tofu is hot. Remove from heat and stir in the green onion.
      1 stalk green onion, salt
    • Give it a taste, adding more salt if needed. Let the filling cool down slightly before moving on to wrapping the dumplings.

    Wrapping the dumplings

    • Start by placing a wrapper in the palm of your non-dominant hand. Place a tablespoon of filling at the center.
      25-30 dumpling wrappers
    • Dip your finger in water, and wet the bottom half rim of the wrapper, which is the side you will pleat.
    • Using your dominant hand, fold the bottom half of the wrapper over the filling to meet the top half. Pinch to seal at one end, and start to form a pleat. Once the pleat is formed, pinch it to seal. (watch the process shot or video above for a clearer depiction)
    • Repeat pleating until you get to the other end, and pinch to seal the dumpling completely.
    • With the dumplings standing, lightly squish them to flatten the base.

    Cooking dumplings (pan-steamed method)

    • Heat some oil in a non-stick pan. Place in some of the dumplings, making sure they are not touching.
    • Pan-fry for 2-3 minutes or until the base is golden brown.
    • Pour in ¼ cup of water, and quickly place the lid on to trap the steam. Let it cook for 4-5 minutes or until most of the water evaporates, and the dumplings are semi-translucent.
    • Remove the lid and let the dumplings cook for another 30 seconds to crisp up the base. Serve vegan Chinese dumplings immediately.

    Making the dipping sauce

    • Simply combine all ingredients needed. Give it a taste, adding more of any seasonings if needed.
      2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 teaspoons sesame oil

    Video

    Notes

    *Dumpling wrappers - I am using store-bought ones as it is much more convenient.
    • You can get them in most well-stocked groceries or your local Asian market. Alternatively, get dumpling wrappers online through Amazon. 
    • You can also choose to make your dumpling wrappers at home. 
     
    Helpful tips
    • You can chop your veggies in a food processor to make prepping easier. 
    • When wrapping the dumplings, cover unused wrappers with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out. 
    • Don’t get too hung up with the shape of the dumplings; they will still be delicious! You can also simply fold the wrapper in half and seal it to create a half-moon shape. 
    • Be careful not to overstuff dumplings. They might not seal properly and break while cooking. 
    • When cooking the tofu dumplings, ensure they are not touching one another to prevent them from sticking together. 
     
    Freezing instructions
    Here is how to freeze uncooked tofu dumplings: 
    1. Grease a baking sheet or other large plates with some cooking spray. 
    2. Arrange dumplings on the baking sheet in one layer, ensuring they are not touching one another. 
    3. Place them into the freezer for an hour or until the dumplings are frozen. 
    4. Gently remove them from the baking sheet, and transfer them to a zip-top bag or storage container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. 
    When ready to enjoy, simply reheat them from frozen, and increase the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. You DO NOT need to thaw them beforehand. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 41mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.4mg

    Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.

    Did you make this recipe ?Tag @myplantifulcooking on Instagram !

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    Graphic with 2 images of a plate of dumplings with text between the images.
    Graphic with an image of a plate of dumplings with text at the bottom.
    Dipping a dumpling in soy sauce with text overlay.