Homemade Wonton Soup Recipe

Wonton soup is one of those iconic dishes that captures the essence of comfort food with every bite. Imagine the tender, silky wontons sitting in a steaming, flavorful broth-each spoonful feels like a warm embrace. Whether you’re enjoying it as an appetizer or a main course, this dish brings a delicate balance of textures and savory flavors to the table. Making wonton soup at home gives you the freedom to adjust the seasoning, customize the filling, and take control of every ingredient, creating a dish that’s exactly to your liking.

In this guide, we’re diving into the details of crafting the perfect homemade wonton soup-from selecting the right ingredients to fine-tuning your cooking technique. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, I’ll walk you through each step of the process, share tips to elevate your dish, and even offer variations so you can experiment with different flavors. Let’s get started!

Ingredients Needed

For the Soup Broth:

Chicken or Pork Stock: The base of your soup should be a rich, flavorful stock that complements the wontons. A combination of chicken and pork stock brings out the savory depth, but you can use just chicken or any broth of your choice.
Ginger: Fresh ginger adds a zesty warmth that cuts through the richness of the broth. Use thinly sliced ginger for an aromatic infusion.
Soy Sauce: Adds a salty umami kick to your soup, creating that signature savory flavor.
Sesame Oil: A few drops of sesame oil at the end of cooking give the broth a nice finish with its nutty flavor.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is an essential flavor element in many Asian soups and broths. It pairs wonderfully with the ginger and soy sauce.

For the Wontons:

Wonton Wrappers: These delicate, thin wrappers are the foundation of your wontons. You can find them in most grocery stores or Asian markets, usually in the refrigerated section.
Ground Pork: Traditional wonton filling often uses ground pork for its fat content and juicy texture. However, you can substitute it with ground chicken or shrimp if you prefer.
Shrimp: Chopped shrimp adds a fresh, sweet bite to the pork filling. They give a nice contrast in texture and flavor, making each wonton more complex.
Green Onions: These provide a mild oniony flavor and a pop of color to the wonton mixture.
Garlic: Just like in the broth, garlic in the filling adds that signature savory taste.
Ginger: A touch of ginger in the filling ties everything together and adds that aromatic zing.
Soy Sauce: For seasoning, a dash of soy sauce is perfect to enhance the umami in the filling.
Cornstarch: Used to bind the ingredients together and maintain the right texture.
Egg: An egg helps to bind the filling and keep it moist.
Salt and Pepper: Just enough to season the filling.

Cooking Instructions

Prepare The Soup Broth
- In a large pot, combine your chicken or pork stock with ginger slices, garlic, and a splash of soy sauce.
- Bring it to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 10-15 minutes. This allows all the flavors to meld together.
- Once the broth has simmered, strain out the ginger and garlic (you want to keep the broth smooth) and return the liquid to the pot.
- Stir in a small amount of sesame oil to finish off the broth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary-add a little more soy sauce or salt for flavor depth.
Make The Wonton Filling
- In a bowl, combine ground pork, chopped shrimp, green onions, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, cornstarch, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the ingredients are well incorporated.
- The filling should be moist and sticky but not too runny. If it’s too dry, you can add a tablespoon of water or soy sauce to adjust the consistency.
Assemble The Wontons
- Lay a wonton wrapper on a clean surface and place about 1 teaspoon of the filling in the center.
- Moisten the edges of the wrapper with a little water, then fold the wrapper into a triangle or a little pouch, sealing the edges tightly.
- Repeat with the remaining wrappers and filling, making sure to place the wontons on a parchment-lined tray to avoid sticking.
Cook The Wontons
- Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently drop in the wontons and cook for about 4-6 minutes or until they float to the surface. You can also cook them directly in your broth for extra flavor.
- Once cooked, carefully transfer the wontons to your prepared broth, and let them soak for a minute or two.
Serve The Soup
- Ladle the hot broth with wontons into bowls, and garnish with fresh chopped green onions or a few sprigs of cilantro.
- Optionally, you can add a few chili flakes or a drizzle of chili oil for a touch of heat.

Ingredient Insights

Wonton Wrappers: Made from a simple mixture of flour, egg, and water, these wrappers are thinner and more delicate than dumpling wrappers. They cook quickly and are perfect for encasing the flavorful filling.
Stock: Using homemade stock will always yield a richer and more nuanced broth, but store-bought versions are perfectly acceptable for a quicker meal. Always go for low-sodium options so you can control the seasoning.
Pork and Shrimp Combination: The marriage of pork and shrimp in the filling is a traditional choice in many regions of China, offering a balance between rich and sweet. The shrimp adds freshness and texture, while the pork brings depth and juiciness.

Expert Tips

Use a generous amount of filling: Don’t skimp on the amount of filling you use in each wonton. A fully stuffed wonton will have a satisfying bite and keep its shape better while cooking.
Seal the wontons properly: The key to ensuring the wontons don’t open up while cooking is to make sure the edges are well sealed. A tight seal ensures no filling escapes and the wontons stay intact in the broth.
Broth control: If you’re using store-bought stock, don’t forget to season it to your liking. Taste the broth as it simmers, adjusting the soy sauce, salt, or even a bit of sugar to find your perfect balance.
Don’t overcook the wontons: Wontons cook quickly, and overcooking them can result in soggy wrappers. Once they float, they’re done!

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian Wontons: For a vegetarian option, you can swap the meat for finely chopped mushrooms, tofu, or a mix of both. Add some cabbage or carrots for texture and flavor.
Spicy Wonton Soup: Add a spoonful of chili paste to the broth for a bit of heat, or top the soup with chili oil right before serving for an extra punch of spice.
Beef Wontons: Swap the pork for ground beef, and incorporate finely minced mushrooms or bamboo shoots into the filling for a heartier, savory profile.
Clear Broth Wonton Soup: If you prefer a clearer, lighter broth, you can skip the soy sauce and sesame oil in the broth and focus on the pure taste of the stock, ginger, and garlic.

Final Words

Homemade wonton soup is an experience, not just a meal. It’s about the love you put into each little dumpling and the joy of slurping up that delicious broth. While it may seem a bit involved at first, once you get into the rhythm of making your own wontons and broth, it becomes a rewarding and enjoyable process. Whether you’re serving it to guests or savoring it for yourself, this dish is sure to impress.

Homemade Wonton Soup Recipe