If you’re craving a soul-soothing bowl that perfectly balances comfort and vibrant flavors, the Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe is your new best friend. This delightful soup combines tender, flavorful pork-filled wontons with a nourishing broth and fresh greens, creating a harmonious blend that feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests with an elegant appetizer, this recipe is surprisingly simple yet incredibly satisfying, and it’s sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to making the Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe a standout dish. Each item here is simple, but together they create layers of taste, texture, and color that bring the soup to life and keep you coming back for more.
- 30 wonton wrappers: These delicate pockets cradle the savory pork filling, creating the perfect tender bite.
- 1/2 pound ground pork: The heart of the wontons, packed with juicy, savory flavor.
- 2 green onions, finely chopped: Adds a fresh, mild aroma and subtle crunch inside the filling.
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce: Enhances the pork filling with umami depth.
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil: Brings a fragrant, nutty richness to the mixture.
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger: Adds a zesty kick that livens up the pork filling.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors inside the wontons.
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper: Provides subtle heat without overpowering the soup.
- 6 cups chicken broth: The soul of the soup, warming and comforting with every spoonful.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the broth with a gentle pungency that complements the pork.
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce: Boosts the savory notes in the broth itself.
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil: Adds a smooth finish and aroma to the soup base.
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper: Lightly seasons the broth for complexity.
- 1 cup bok choy or spinach, chopped: Introduces a vibrant green freshness and tender texture.
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced (for garnish): A bright, crisp topping that makes the soup look as good as it tastes.
How to Make Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pork Filling
Begin by combining the ground pork, finely chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, salt, and white pepper in a mixing bowl. Mix everything thoroughly to make sure the flavors distribute evenly. This mixture will be the savory heart of your wontons, bursting with flavor inside each delicate wrapper.
Step 2: Assemble the Wontons
Lay out the wonton wrappers on a clean surface. Place a teaspoon-sized amount of the pork filling in the center of each wrapper. Carefully moisten the edges with a bit of water, then fold the wrapper over to form a triangle or a traditional wonton shape, pressing firmly to seal the edges without letting any filling leak out. This step takes a little patience, but seeing those little parcels come together is so satisfying!
Step 3: Prepare the Broth
In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle boil. Add minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper to the broth, stirring to combine. This fragrant broth will perfectly complement the rich pork filling and fresh greens, creating a beautifully balanced soup.
Step 4: Cook the Wontons and Greens
Carefully drop the assembled wontons into the simmering broth. They will cook quickly, usually in about 3 to 5 minutes, and will float to the surface when ready. Add the chopped bok choy or spinach in the last minute or two of cooking to keep their color bright and texture tender but not mushy.
Step 5: Final Touches
Once the wontons and greens are cooked through, give the soup a gentle stir to combine everything. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Ladle the soup into bowls and prepare to garnish!
How to Serve Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe
Garnishes
Adding the thinly sliced green onions on top right before serving gives the soup a fresh burst of flavor and a pop of color that makes the presentation irresistibly inviting. You might also sprinkle a few drops of chili oil if you like a little heat or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for an extra nutty crunch.
Side Dishes
This soup shines on its own but pairs beautifully with light sides like steamed jasmine rice or a simple cucumber salad. These accompaniments balance the rich flavors without overpowering the delicate broth and wontons.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the wontons and broth family-style in a large, beautiful bowl, letting everyone pick their own favorites. You can also pop a few wontons on skewers as an appetizer, dipping them in soy sauce or your favorite Asian-style dipping sauce before adding the broth for a playful start to the meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any soup left, store the broth in an airtight container and keep the wontons separate in the refrigerator to prevent them from becoming soggy overnight. This way, you can reheat the broth fresh and add the wontons back just before serving.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled wontons before cooking by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and freezing until firm. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container, then boil directly from frozen when you are ready to make the soup. The broth is best made fresh, but leftovers can be frozen for up to a month if needed.
Reheating
Reheat the broth gently on the stove until warm, then add the wontons and greens to warm through for a few minutes. Avoid using the microwave for reheating, as it can cause the wontons to become tough or unevenly heated.
FAQs
Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of pork?
Absolutely! Ground chicken or turkey works well as a leaner alternative, though the flavor will be a bit milder. Be sure to season the filling well to keep it flavorful.
What if I can’t find wonton wrappers?
You can substitute with dumpling wrappers or even make your own if you’re feeling adventurous. The key is having a thin, pliable dough that can hold the filling without tearing.
Can I make the soup vegetarian?
Yes! Replace ground pork with finely chopped mushrooms or tofu for umami, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add more greens and spices to boost flavor.
How do I prevent wontons from sticking together?
Handle the wontons gently and place them on a lightly floured surface when assembling. When boiling, stir gently and avoid overcrowding the pot to keep them separate.
What kind of greens work best in this soup?
Bok choy and spinach are excellent choices because they cook quickly and keep a nice texture. Other tender greens like Napa cabbage or baby kale can also be delicious substitutes.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe enough—it’s one of those dishes that feels like home from the first comforting spoonful. It’s straightforward to make, packed with flavor, and endlessly adaptable to suit your tastes or pantry. Once you try it, this soup will surely become a go-to recipe whenever you want to impress with something delicious and heartwarming.
Print
Savory Wonton Soup with Ground Pork and Greens Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4 servings
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This classic Wonton Soup is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender pork-filled wontons cooked in a savory chicken broth with garlic, ginger, and nutritious greens. Perfect as a light meal or appetizer, it combines aromatic Asian seasonings with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Wontons
- 30 wonton wrappers
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
Soup Broth
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 cup bok choy or spinach, chopped
Garnish
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Wonton Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, finely chopped green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, salt, and white pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form the Wontons: Place a wonton wrapper on a clean surface. Spoon about a teaspoon of the pork filling into the center. Moisten the edges of the wrapper with water, fold it in half to form a triangle, and press firmly to seal. Optionally, bring the two opposite corners together and press to create the traditional wonton shape. Repeat with all wrappers and filling.
- Make the Soup Base: In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle boil. Add the minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper. Stir to combine and let the broth simmer for 3-5 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook the Wontons: Carefully add the prepared wontons into the simmering broth. Cook for about 6-8 minutes or until the wontons float to the surface and the pork filling is cooked through.
- Add the Greens: Stir in the chopped bok choy or spinach and cook for an additional 2 minutes until the greens are wilted but still vibrant.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the wonton soup into bowls and garnish with thinly sliced green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground pork with ground chicken or turkey for a lighter option.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of white pepper or chili oil to the soup.
- Wonton wrappers can be found in the refrigerated or frozen section of Asian grocery stores.
- Ensure the wonton wrappers are sealed tightly to prevent filling leakage during cooking.
- The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
