Jiao zi (Chinese dumplings)
Chinese jiao zi, or steamed dumplings, are made with a savoury mince and Chinese cabbage filling wrapped in delicate dumpling wrappers. The Thermomix chops the vegetables and mixes the filling evenly in seconds. Finished with sesame oil and oyster sauce, they make an impressive Asian starter or shared main course straight from your kitchen.
About this recipe
Chinese dumplings Thermomix TM7 brings the beloved jiao zi tradition straight into your kitchen with the help of your all-in-one kitchen machine. These juicy dumplings combine minced pork, crunchy Chinese cabbage (wombok), celery and spring onions, all seasoned with sesame oil, oyster sauce and a touch of sugar. Searching for jiao zi recipes that actually work at home? The TM7 chops every vegetable to a uniform fineness in seconds, which is the secret to a filling that stays compact inside the wrapper instead of turning watery. Because the machine blends the mince and seasonings evenly, each dumpling delivers the same balanced flavour of savoury, sweet and aromatic notes. Jiao zi are perfect for a festive gathering where everyone folds their own, a cosy weekend project with children, or an impressive Asian starter at a dinner party. Serve them steamed and tender with a dipping sauce of soy and vinegar, or pan-fry them potsticker-style for a golden, crispy base. With your Thermomix doing the chopping and mixing, you can focus entirely on the folding technique and enjoy restaurant-quality dumplings without the usual preparation stress.
Preparation tips
- Salt the chopped wombok first and squeeze out the excess moisture before combining it with the mince; this keeps your jiao zi filling firm and prevents soggy wrappers during steaming or pan-frying.
- Fold the dumpling wrappers with wet edges and pleat them firmly, pressing out any air; sealed dumplings hold their shape beautifully in the Varoma and can be frozen raw on a tray for later use.
- For a lighter filling, replace half of the mince with finely chopped prawns or firm tofu, and let children help with folding — imperfect jiao zi taste just as delicious as perfect ones.
Recipe variations
- Vegetarian jiao zi: replace the mince with a mixture of chopped shiitake mushrooms, firm tofu and grated carrot, keep the wombok and spring onions, and use mushroom sauce instead of oyster sauce for deep savoury flavour.
- Festive potsticker variation: pan-fry the folded dumplings until the bases are golden, then add a splash of water and cover so they steam through — serve with a chilli-garlic dipping sauce at Chinese New Year.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Uniform chopping - The Thermomix chops wombok, celery and spring onions to an even fineness in seconds, ensuring a compact dumpling filling. [chopping]. [Multi-Function]
- Precise weighing - The TM7 built-in scale weighs the mince and sesame oil directly in the bowl, saving you separate measuring cups. [weighing]. [Precision Control]
- Even mixing - The Thermomix blends the oyster sauce and sugar through the seasoned mince into a consistently flavoured filling. [mixing]. [Multi-Function]
- Gentle steaming - The Varoma of the TM7 steams the jiao zi gently so the wrappers turn tender without bursting open. [steaming]. [Multi-Function]
- Time savings - The Thermomix prepares the whole dumpling filling faster than hand-chopping, leaving you more time to fold wrappers. [Time savings]. [Time Savings]
Ingredients
- Chinese cabbage (wombok)
- celery
- spring onions/shallots
- salt
- mince
- sesame oil
- vegetable oil
- oyster sauce
- white sugar
- light soy sauce