Classic Wonton Soup
About This Recipe
Wonton Soup is a traditional Chinese dish known for its delicate dumplings filled with seasoned meat, served in a light yet savory broth. It’s warming, soothing, and surprisingly easy to make at home. This recipe focuses on clean flavors and simple techniques so the wontons shine.
Prep & Cooking Time
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Prep time: 25 minutes
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Cook time: 15 minutes
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Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 4)
Wontons
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30 wonton wrappers
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250 g (½ lb) ground pork (or chicken/shrimp)
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2 green onions, finely chopped
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1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp sesame oil
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1 tbsp cornstarch
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Pinch of white pepper
Broth
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1 litre (4 cups) chicken broth
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2 cloves garlic, smashed
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1 tsp fresh ginger slices
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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½ tsp sesame oil
Garnish
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Chopped green onions
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Fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Filling
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In a bowl, combine ground meat, green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, and white pepper.
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Mix until well combined and slightly sticky.
Step 2: Assemble the Wontons
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Place 1 wonton wrapper on a clean surface.
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Add 1 teaspoon filling to the center.
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Moisten edges with water.
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Fold into a triangle, press to seal, then bring corners together.
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Repeat with remaining wrappers.
Step 3: Prepare the Broth
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In a large pot, combine chicken broth, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
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Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
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Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5–10 minutes to infuse flavor.
Step 4: Cook the Wontons
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Gently add wontons to the simmering broth.
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Cook for 3–5 minutes, until wontons float and filling is cooked through.
Step 5: Serve
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Remove garlic and ginger slices if desired.
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Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with green onions and cilantro.
Tips for Best Wonton Soup
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Do not overfill wontons to prevent bursting.
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Keep wrappers covered with a damp cloth while working.
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Simmer gently—boiling can break wontons.
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You can cook wontons separately and add to broth just before serving for clearer soup.
Variations
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Shrimp wontons: Replace pork with finely chopped shrimp.
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Vegetarian: Use mushrooms and tofu with vegetable broth.
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Spicy: Add chili oil or white pepper.
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Noodle version: Add egg noodles to make it more filling.
Storage
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Uncooked wontons can be frozen for up to 2 months.
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Cook from frozen without thawing, adding 1–2 minutes to cooking time.
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Store broth separately in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Why This Soup Is So Loved
Wonton Soup is comforting, light, and full of flavor without being heavy. The handmade dumplings and fragrant broth make it a timeless dish enjoyed across generations.