Gyoza, a beloved Japanese dumpling, is a delightful combination of savory ground pork and finely chopped cabbage. These pan-fried dumplings are crispy on the bottom and tender on the top, making them a perfect appetizer or main dish for any meal.
If you don't usually cook Asian cuisine, you might not have gyoza wrappers or sesame oil in your pantry. Gyoza wrappers can be found in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets, often near the tofu or other Asian ingredients. Sesame oil is typically located in the international foods aisle.

Ingredients for Gyoza Recipe
Ground pork: The main protein in the filling, providing a rich and savory flavor.
Cabbage: Adds a slight crunch and freshness to the filling.
Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor with its aromatic and pungent taste.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty and umami depth to the filling.
Sesame oil: Provides a nutty and fragrant aroma that complements the other ingredients.
Gyoza wrappers: Thin dough sheets used to encase the filling, creating the dumpling.
Technique Tip for Making Gyoza
When sealing the gyoza wrappers, ensure you press firmly along the edges to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking. If the edges are not sticking well, you can use a bit more water or even a light egg wash to help seal them securely. Additionally, when adding the splash of water to the pan for steaming, make sure to cover the pan quickly to trap the steam, which helps cook the gyoza evenly and keeps them moist inside.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
ground pork - Substitute with ground chicken: Ground chicken is a leaner option and has a similar texture to ground pork, making it a good alternative.
ground pork - Substitute with ground turkey: Ground turkey is another lean meat that can easily replace ground pork, offering a slightly different but still delicious flavor.
small cabbage - Substitute with napa cabbage: Napa cabbage has a milder flavor and softer texture, which works well in gyoza.
small cabbage - Substitute with bok choy: Bok choy provides a similar crunch and can be finely chopped to mimic the texture of cabbage.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the other ingredients in the gyoza.
garlic - Substitute with ginger: Fresh ginger adds a different but complementary flavor profile, providing a bit of spice and warmth.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar taste, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos offer a slightly sweeter and less salty flavor, making them a good soy-free alternative.
sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil has a different flavor but can be used in a pinch, especially if you want a healthier fat option.
sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a nutty flavor that can mimic the richness of sesame oil in gyoza.
gyoza wrappers - Substitute with wonton wrappers: Wonton wrappers are slightly thinner but can be used as a substitute for gyoza wrappers.
gyoza wrappers - Substitute with homemade dough: You can make your own dough using flour, water, and a pinch of salt, which can be rolled out to the desired thickness.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Gyoza
How to Store or Freeze Gyoza
Allow the freshly cooked gyoza to cool completely at room temperature. This prevents condensation, which can make the wrappers soggy.
Arrange the cooled gyoza in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Ensure they are not touching each other to avoid sticking.
Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about 1-2 hours, or until the gyoza are completely frozen. This step is crucial for maintaining their shape and texture.
Once frozen, transfer the gyoza into a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container. Label the bag or container with the date to keep track of freshness.
Store the gyoza in the freezer for up to 2 months. For best results, consume within this period to enjoy optimal flavor and texture.
To reheat, you can cook the frozen gyoza directly without thawing. Heat a frying pan with a bit of oil over medium heat, place the frozen gyoza in the pan, and follow the same cooking steps as the original recipe.
If you prefer steaming, place the frozen gyoza in a steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Steam for about 10-12 minutes or until fully heated through.
For a crispy bottom, you can also use a combination method: first steam the frozen gyoza for about 8 minutes, then transfer them to a hot pan with a bit of oil to crisp up the bottoms.
Always ensure the gyoza are heated thoroughly before serving. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce, such as a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and a touch of chili oil.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Pan-frying: Heat a bit of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the leftover gyoza in the pan, flat side down. Cook until the bottoms are crispy and golden brown. Add a splash of water to the pan, cover with a lid, and steam for about 2-3 minutes. Remove the lid and let the water evaporate, allowing the bottoms to crisp up again.
Steaming: Place the gyoza in a steamer basket lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Steam over boiling water for about 5-7 minutes until heated through.
Microwaving: Place the gyoza on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heated evenly.
Oven-baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the gyoza on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly brush or spray with oil. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are heated through and slightly crispy.
Air-frying: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the gyoza in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with oil. Air fry for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy.
Essential Tools for Making Gyoza
Mixing bowl: To combine the ground pork, cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil together.
Knife: To finely chop the cabbage and mince the garlic.
Cutting board: To provide a surface for chopping the cabbage and mincing the garlic.
Spoon: To place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each gyoza wrapper.
Small bowl of water: To seal the edges of the gyoza wrappers.
Frying pan: To cook the gyoza until the bottoms are golden brown.
Lid: To cover the frying pan and steam the gyoza.
Spatula: To remove the gyoza from the pan once they are cooked and crispy.
How to Save Time on Making Gyoza
Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the ground pork, cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use a food processor: Finely chop the cabbage and garlic using a food processor to speed up prep time.
Pre-made wrappers: Purchase gyoza wrappers from the store instead of making them from scratch.
Batch cooking: Cook multiple gyoza at once in a large frying pan to reduce overall cooking time.
Freezing for later: Make a large batch and freeze the uncooked gyoza for quick meals in the future.

Gyoza Recipe
Ingredients
Gyoza Filling
- 200 g Ground pork
- 1 Small cabbage, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sesame oil
- 1 pack Gyoza wrappers
Instructions
- Mix ground pork, cabbage, garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl.
- Place a small spoonful of filling in the center of each gyoza wrapper.
- Fold the wrapper in half and seal the edges with water.
- Heat a frying pan with a bit of oil over medium heat.
- Place gyoza in the pan and cook until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Add a splash of water to the pan and cover. Steam for 5 minutes.
- Remove the lid and cook until the water evaporates and the bottoms are crispy again.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
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