Wonton Soup: Comforting Classic

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Is there any meal quite as soothing as a steaming, aromatic bowl of soup? When you’re feeling a bit under the weather or just need something to banish the chill, we believe one dish stands out as the ultimate comfort: a homemade Wonton Soup. It’s time to move beyond the often lacklustre takeaway versions. We’re here to guide you in creating a wonderfully rich and satisfying bowl of this classic asian comfort food in your very own kitchen, and we think you’ll be delighted by how straightforward it is.

This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s set to become your new favourite for a speedy, nourishing, and utterly delicious meal. We have fine-tuned this method to pack in the most flavour with the least amount of effort, making it ideal for those busy weeknights. Let’s dive in and master the craft of the perfect wonton and its soul-warming broth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick & Easy: The entire meal comes together in less than 30 minutes, which is why it’s one of our top 30 minute meals for when time is short.
  • Better Than Takeaway: By making it yourself, you have complete control over what goes in. This means no hidden additives or excessive salt—just pure, authentic flavour that is leagues ahead of any standard takeaway.
  • Incredibly Flavourful: The blend of a savoury pork and prawn filling with a delicate, fragrant broth infused with ginger and garlic is truly sublime. Every spoonful offers a delightful harmony of tastes and textures.
  • Wonderfully Versatile: Feel free to adapt the filling with other meats or enhance the broth with your favourite greens, such as pak choi or fresh spinach. This recipe serves as an excellent foundation for your own culinary experiments.

Ingredients

  • square wonton wrappers
  • minced pork
  • raw prawns
  • spring onion
  • light soy sauce
  • sesame oil
  • fresh ginger
  • white pepper
  • chicken or vegetable stock
  • pak choi
  • fresh coriander

How to Make the Perfect Wonton Soup: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this much-loved chinese dumpling soup involves three simple stages: we’ll first prepare the filling, then fold the wontons, and finally cook them in a fragrant broth. Let’s walk through it together.

Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Filling

The soul of a brilliant wonton lies in its filling. Our goal is a mixture that’s succulent, savoury, and bursting with flavour. Achieving this is much easier than you might think!

  1. In a medium bowl, bring together the minced pork, chopped prawns, finely sliced spring onion, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch of white pepper.
  2. Combine all the ingredients thoroughly until you have a cohesive, slightly sticky paste. We find that using your hands is the most effective way to ensure everything is mixed evenly.
  3. Once mixed, you can cover the bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes. This helps the filling to firm up slightly, making it easier to handle during the folding stage.

Step 2: How to Fold the Wontons

Folding wontons is an enjoyable and surprisingly therapeutic task. Please don’t stress about achieving a perfect look on your first attempt; their delicious taste is guaranteed, no matter the shape! The main goal is to seal them tightly to keep the filling secure while they cook.

  1. Position a single wonton wrapper on a clean, dry work surface so that it forms a diamond shape, with one corner facing you.
  2. Spoon about one teaspoon of the pork and prawn mixture into the middle of the wrapper. It’s crucial not to overfill, as this can cause them to split open during cooking.
  3. Dip a finger into a small bowl of water and run it along the top two edges of the diamond to moisten them.
  4. Bring the bottom corner up to meet the top corner, creating a triangle. Press firmly along the moistened edges to seal, making sure to push out any trapped air from around the filling.
  5. Next, gently draw the two bottom corners of the triangle downwards and towards each other. Lightly dab one corner with a little water.
  6. Overlap the damp corner with the dry one and press them together firmly to create a seal. The final shape should look like a small, bundled parcel. Continue this process with the rest of the wrappers and filling.

For more inspiration on quick and flavourful Asian-inspired dishes, you might also enjoy our recipe for a Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl.

Step 3: Make the Broth and Cook the Wonton Soup

Now that our wontons are assembled, it’s time to prepare the aromatic broth that will unite all the elements. This is the last and quickest part of the process.

  1. Pour your chicken or vegetable stock into a large pot or wok. Add the fresh ginger slices and the crushed garlic clove to the liquid.
  2. Bring the stock to a vigorous boil over a medium-high heat. Allow it to simmer for around 5 minutes, giving the aromatics time to infuse the broth.
  3. Gently lower the prepared wontons into the boiling broth, one at a time. Give the pot a soft stir to ensure they don’t stick to the base.
  4. Let the wontons cook for 3-5 minutes. You’ll know they are done when they bob to the surface and the wrappers appear translucent.
  5. During the final minute of cooking, add the pak choi leaves to the pot. They just need a moment to wilt into the hot broth.
  6. Switch off the heat. Stir through the soy sauce and sesame oil. Remember to remove the larger pieces of ginger and garlic before serving.
  7. Carefully ladle the wontons and broth into serving bowls. Garnish with a generous scattering of sliced spring onions and fresh coriander. Serve hot and enjoy the wonderful flavours!

Tips for the Best Homemade Wonton Soup

Having made this recipe many, many times, we’ve learned a few things that help ensure a perfect result every time. Here are our essential tips for what we consider one of the finest easy soup recipes around:

  • Don’t Overcook the Wontons: Keep a watchful eye on your wontons as they cook. If left for too long, they can become soggy and start to disintegrate. Once they float to the top, give them just another 30-60 seconds, and they should be perfect.
  • Taste the Broth: Always sample your broth before you serve it. The saltiness can vary depending on the stock you use, so you might need to adjust with a little more soy sauce or a touch of salt.
  • Batch and Freeze: Wontons are ideal for making ahead in a large batch. Arrange the uncooked, folded wontons on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment, ensuring they don’t touch. Freeze for an hour or until solid, then transfer them into a freezer bag. You can cook them straight from frozen by adding an extra 2-3 minutes to the boiling time.
  • Keep Wrappers Moist: Wonton wrappers have a tendency to dry out very quickly. While you are folding, we suggest keeping the remaining stack of wrappers covered with a clean, slightly damp cloth.

If you enjoy creating bold Asian flavours at home, our recipe for Bang Bang Chicken Thighs is another fantastic choice for a quick and exciting meal.

FAQ

Q: Can I use a different type of meat for the filling?
A: Of course! While the pork and prawn pairing is a classic, feel free to substitute. Minced chicken or turkey are excellent alternatives, and for a vegetarian option, finely chopped mushrooms and tofu work beautifully. Just be sure to season the filling generously.
Q: What other vegetables can I add to the soup?
A: This soup is wonderfully adaptable. You could add thinly sliced carrots, mushrooms, baby corn, or a handful of spinach. Add firmer vegetables like carrots at the same time as the wontons, while leafy greens like spinach only need to be added in the final minute of cooking.
Q: Where can I buy wonton wrappers?
A: Wonton wrappers can typically be found in the refrigerated aisle of most major supermarkets, often near the fresh pasta and tofu. Any Asian grocery store will also stock them. For more details on essential Chinese ingredients, BBC Good Food has a very helpful guide.
Q: How do I store and reheat leftover Wonton Soup?
A: For best results, we suggest storing the cooked wontons and the broth in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to two days. If left in the broth, the wonton wrappers can become overly soft. To reheat, simply bring the broth back to a simmer on the stove, then add the wontons and heat them through for a minute or two.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Comfort Food

And there we have it—a straightforward, authentic, and truly delicious Wonton Soup recipe that you can easily prepare any night of the week. We’ve shared how to create succulent, flavourful wontons and a clear, fragrant broth that will stand up to any restaurant version. This dish is proof that incredible food doesn’t have to be complex or demand hours of your time.

So, the next time you are looking for a meal that delivers both comfort and a touch of elegance, we hope this recipe comes to mind. It’s a fantastic way to delve into the delights of homemade Asian cooking.

Have you had a go at making our Wonton Soup? We’d be thrilled to hear how you got on! Please feel free to leave a comment and a rating below to share your experience with us. Happy cooking!

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