Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because I get a delicious combination of juicy filling and tender dumpling wrapper in every bite. The cabbage adds texture and freshness, while ginger, garlic, and soy sauce give the filling plenty of savory flavor.

I can also choose how I cook my dim sims. Steaming keeps them soft and succulent, while deep-frying gives me a crisp, golden exterior. They work well as a snack, appetizer, party food, or part of a larger meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Ground pork
Green cabbage, finely shredded
Onion, finely chopped
Garlic, minced
Fresh ginger, grated
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Oyster sauce
Cornstarch
White pepper
Dim sim or wonton wrappers
Water, for sealing the wrappers
Neutral cooking oil, if frying
Soy sauce, for serving

I prefer finely chopping the cabbage and onion so they blend evenly into the meat mixture. I also avoid overfilling the wrappers because I find them much easier to seal and cook when there’s enough room around the filling.

Directions

I finely shred the cabbage and chop the onion, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
I add the ground pork, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and white pepper.
I mix everything thoroughly until the filling becomes well combined and slightly sticky.
I place a wrapper on my work surface and spoon some filling into the center.
I bring the wrapper up around the filling and shape it into the traditional chunky dim sim shape, sealing the wrapper with a little water where necessary.
For steamed dim sims, I arrange them in a lined steamer without letting them touch. I steam them over simmering water until the wrappers are tender and the pork filling is completely cooked through.
For fried dim sims, I carefully lower them into hot cooking oil and fry until the wrappers are crisp and golden and the filling is thoroughly cooked.
I allow fried dim sims to drain on paper towels before serving.
I serve my dim sims hot with soy sauce or my favorite dipping sauce.

Servings and Timing

I usually get approximately 20 dim sims from one batch, although the exact number depends on the size of my wrappers and how much filling I use.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 15–20 minutes
Total time: approximately 45–50 minutes
Servings: about 4–6
Yield: approximately 20 dim sims

Variations

For a chicken version, I replace the pork with ground chicken. I can also use a mixture of pork and shrimp when I want a slightly lighter filling with extra seafood flavor.

When I want additional vegetables, I mix finely chopped carrot, mushrooms, or green onions into the filling.

For extra heat, I add finely chopped fresh chili or chili sauce to the filling. I can also serve the finished dim sims with chili crisp or a spicy soy dipping sauce.

If I want a crispy exterior without deep-frying, I lightly coat the dim sims with oil and cook them in an air fryer until golden and completely cooked through.

Storage/Reheating

I store cooked leftover dim sims in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I let them cool before refrigerating them and avoid leaving them at room temperature for extended periods.

I reheat steamed dim sims in a steamer until they’re piping hot throughout. I can also microwave them, although I find steaming gives me a softer and more even texture.

For fried dim sims, I prefer reheating them in an oven or air fryer because this helps restore their crispy exterior.

I can also freeze uncooked assembled dim sims. I freeze them individually on a tray first and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag once solid.

FAQs

What are dim sims?

Dim sims are an Australian-style dumpling inspired by Chinese cuisine. I typically make them with a seasoned meat and cabbage filling enclosed in a thicker dumpling-style wrapper. They are commonly steamed or deep-fried.

What is the difference between dim sims and dim sum?

I use “dim sim” for the specific Australian dumpling, while dim sum refers to a broad Chinese dining tradition involving many different small dishes and dumplings. Despite the similar names, I don’t use the terms interchangeably.

Can I steam dim sims instead of frying them?

Yes. Steaming is one of my favorite ways to cook them. I place them in a lined steamer and cook them until the wrapper is tender and the meat filling is safely cooked through.

Can I freeze homemade dim sims?

Yes. I arrange my uncooked dim sims on a tray and freeze them until solid before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it easy for me to cook only the amount I need.

What do I serve with dim sims?

I usually serve dim sims with soy sauce, chili sauce, or a combination of soy sauce and chili crisp. When I want to turn them into a larger meal, I pair them with steamed vegetables, rice, or other Asian-inspired dishes.

Conclusion

Homemade dim sims give me a satisfying combination of seasoned meat, cabbage, aromatic ginger and garlic, and a tender or crispy wrapper. I love that I can steam them for a soft finish or fry them when I want something golden and crunchy. They’re also easy for me to prepare in batches and freeze, making them a convenient homemade snack or appetizer whenever I want one.

Dim Sims Recipe

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Homemade dim sims feature a juicy pork and cabbage filling seasoned with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil inside tender dumpling wrappers. Steam them for a soft, succulent finish or fry them until crisp and golden.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 45–50 minutes
Yield: Approximately 20 dim sims, about 4–6 servings
Category: Appetizer
Method: Steaming or Deep-Frying
Cuisine: Australian-Chinese
Diet: Low Lactose

Instructions

Finely shred the cabbage and finely chop the onion, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the ground pork, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and white pepper.
Mix thoroughly until the filling is evenly combined and slightly sticky.
Place a wrapper on a clean work surface and spoon a portion of filling into the center, taking care not to overfill it.
Bring the wrapper up around the filling and shape it into a chunky dim sim shape, using a little water to seal the wrapper where necessary.
For steamed dim sims, arrange them in a lined steamer without allowing them to touch. Steam over simmering water until the wrappers are tender and the pork filling is completely cooked through.
For fried dim sims, carefully lower them into hot neutral cooking oil and fry until crisp and golden on the outside and thoroughly cooked inside.
Transfer fried dim sims to paper towels and allow excess oil to drain.
Serve the dim sims hot with soy sauce or another preferred dipping sauce.

Notes

Finely chop the cabbage and onion so they distribute evenly throughout the pork filling.
Avoid overfilling the wrappers so they are easier to shape, seal, and cook evenly.
Ground chicken can replace the pork for a chicken variation.
A mixture of pork and shrimp can be used for additional seafood flavor.
Finely chopped carrot, mushrooms, or green onions can be added to the filling.
Add fresh chili or chili sauce to the filling for extra heat, or serve with chili crisp.
For a crisp alternative to deep-frying, lightly coat the dim sims with oil and cook them in an air fryer until golden and safely cooked through.
Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat steamed dim sims in a steamer and fried dim sims in an oven or air fryer until piping hot throughout.
Uncooked assembled dim sims can be frozen individually on a tray before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 dim sims
Calories: 390 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 880 mg
Fat: 19 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 21 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg