18 Best Dumpling Recipes for Winter: Cozy Comfort Food Ideas

Winter inevitably brings with it chilly nights and the desire for warm, comforting meals that feel like a hug in a bowl. Dumplings have always been my go-to for cozy comfort food, perfect for those evenings when I want to indulge in something delicious yet hearty.

These bite-sized delights come in so many variations that you can never get bored of them. Whether you’re a fan of traditional Asian-inspired dumplings or prefer a more unique spin, I’ve gathered 18 Best Dumpling Recipes for Winter: Cozy Comfort Food Ideas to keep you warm and satisfied throughout the season. Let’s dive in and discover these delightful recipes that will surely become your winter staples!

1. Classic Chicken and Dumplings

A timeless favorite that brings back childhood memories.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 onion, diced

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until soft.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
3. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and milk to form the dumpling dough.
4. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the simmering broth.
5. Add shredded chicken and cook until dumplings are tender, about 15 minutes.
6. Serve hot and enjoy the comfort.

2. Pork and Cabbage Potstickers

Crispy and juicy, these potstickers are a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cabbage
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix ground pork, cabbage, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges with water.
4. Heat a pan with oil and place the dumplings in.
5. Cook until the bottoms are golden, then add water and cover to steam for 10 minutes.
6. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

3. Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings

A perfect vegetarian option that's rich and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. Combine ricotta, spinach, Parmesan, egg, flour, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Shape into small dumplings.
3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
4. Drop dumplings into the water and cook until they float, about 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

4. Shrimp and Chive Dumplings

Delicate and delicious, these dumplings are bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Chop shrimp into small pieces and mix with chives, soy sauce, and vinegar.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in the center of each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil until dumplings are cooked through, about 5 minutes.
5. Serve with soy sauce or dipping sauce of choice.

5. Beef and Mushroom Dumplings

Hearty and satisfying, perfect for a winter's night.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix ground beef, mushrooms, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and onion.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper, fold, and seal.
3. Boil a pot of water and cook dumplings until they float.
4. Serve with a side of soy sauce.

6. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Dumplings

A hearty vegetarian option that's packed with nutrients.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed sweet potato
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Combine sweet potato, black beans, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Place a teaspoon of mixture in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil the dumplings for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with salsa or sour cream.

7. Lamb and Mint Dumplings

A unique twist with a fresh, aromatic flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground lamb
• 1/4 cup finely chopped mint
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix ground lamb, mint, garlic, feta, salt, and pepper.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with a mint yogurt sauce.

8. Turkey and Cranberry Dumplings

Perfect for using leftover turkey during the holiday season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, shredded turkey
• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, and mustard.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with additional cranberry sauce for dipping.

9. BBQ Pulled Pork Dumplings

A Southern twist on traditional dumplings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, pulled pork
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 1/4 cup coleslaw
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Combine pulled pork with BBQ sauce.
2. Place a teaspoon of pork in each wrapper, top with a bit of coleslaw.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Fry in a pan until golden, then add water and cover to steam for 10 minutes.
5. Serve hot.

10. Kimchi and Pork Dumplings

Spicy and savory, these dumplings pack a punch.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup finely chopped kimchi
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions：

1. Mix ground pork, kimchi, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
2. Place filling in each wrapper, fold, and seal.
3. Steam or boil for 8-10 minutes.
4. Serve with soy sauce or chili oil.

11. Spinach and Feta Dumplings

A Mediterranean-inspired delight.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup spinach, cooked and chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix spinach, feta, egg, and breadcrumbs.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with a tzatziki sauce.

12. Lobster and Corn Dumplings

Luxurious and delicious, perfect for a special occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound cooked lobster meat
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon chives, chopped
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix lobster meat, corn, cream cheese, and chives.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with melted butter or a lemon aioli.

13. Tofu and Vegetable Dumplings

A vegan-friendly option that's full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup tofu, crumbled
• 1/2 cup finely chopped vegetables (carrots, cabbage, peppers)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix tofu, vegetables, soy sauce, and ginger.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil for 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with soy sauce or a tangy dipping sauce.

14. Italian Sausage and Parmesan Dumplings

A savory Italian twist to the classic dumpling.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix sausage, Parmesan, ricotta, and parsley.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with marinara or Alfredo sauce.

15. Curried Lentil Dumplings

A flavorful and spicy vegetarian option.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked lentils
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix lentils, onion, curry powder, and cilantro.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with a yogurt dipping sauce.

16. Duck and Hoisin Dumplings

Rich and flavorful, a gourmet treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, shredded duck
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix duck, hoisin sauce, and green onion.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Steam or boil for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with additional hoisin sauce.

17. Butternut Squash and Sage Dumplings

Sweet and savory with a touch of earthiness.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup roasted butternut squash, mashed
• 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon sage, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix butternut squash, ricotta, sage, salt, and pepper.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with a brown butter sauce.

18. Buffalo Chicken Dumplings

A spicy twist for those who love a kick.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked, shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
• 2 tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled
• Dumpling wrappers

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, Buffalo sauce, and blue cheese.
2. Place a teaspoon of filling in each wrapper.
3. Fold and seal the edges.
4. Boil or steam for about 8-10 minutes.
5. Serve with ranch dressing or additional Buffalo sauce.

Conclusion

Eighteen cozy dumpling recipes to keep you warm and satisfied throughout the winter. Whether you’re in the mood for something classic or want to try a new twist, there’s a dumpling here for everyone.