Beef and Broccoli Dumplings Recipe – Juicy, Flavorful, and Easy to Make

If you love comforting, bite-sized food that you can eat straight from the pan, these beef and broccoli dumplings are going to become a new favorite. They are juicy, full of flavor, and wonderfully satisfying, with tender beef, finely chopped broccoli, and a simple soy-ginger dipping sauce that ties everything together. Whether you serve them as an appetizer, a fun snack, or a light dinner, you can expect crisp bottoms, soft tops, and a savory filling that feels both familiar and a little special.

This recipe walks you through each step slowly and clearly, from mixing the filling to folding the dumplings and pan-frying them to golden perfection. Even if you have never made dumplings before, you will find that with a bit of patience and this friendly guide, it is absolutely doable at home.

Table of contents

What Makes These Beef and Broccoli Dumplings So Irresistible
Gathering Your Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli Dumplings
Simple Step-by-Step Method for Making Beef and Broccoli Dumplings
Time, Effort, and When Your Dumplings Are Ready
A Quick Nutritional Overview of Each Serving
Common Questions About Beef and Broccoli Dumplings
Closing Thoughts: Sharing and Enjoying Your Dumplings
Beef and Broccoli Dumplings

What Makes These Beef and Broccoli Dumplings So Irresistible

There is something very comforting about a plate of freshly cooked dumplings. These beef and broccoli dumplings take that comfort and add a satisfying, hearty twist. The ground beef brings richness, while finely chopped broccoli adds freshness and a gentle crunch. A simple blend of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic seasons the filling so every bite is savory, fragrant, and well balanced.

You also get the best of two textures: a crisp, golden bottom from pan-frying and a soft, tender top from steaming. The dumplings are then paired with a light dipping sauce made from rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and green onions, which brightens the richness of the filling without overpowering it.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Beef and Broccoli Dumplings

Before you start folding, it helps to have all of your ingredients measured and ready. Here is exactly what you will need and how each part contributes to the final dish.

1 cup finely chopped broccoli florets – Adds color, gentle crunch, and a fresh, slightly sweet flavor that lightens the beef filling.
1 lb ground beef (80–90% lean) – The heart of the dumplings, providing rich, savory flavor and a juicy texture when cooked.
3 tablespoons soy sauce – Seasons the filling with salty umami depth and helps tie the beef and broccoli together.
1 tablespoon oyster sauce – Adds a touch of sweetness and extra savoriness, giving the filling a rounder, fuller flavor.
1 tablespoon sesame oil – Brings a toasty, nutty aroma that makes the dumplings smell and taste more complex.
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, finely grated – Brightens the filling with warm, zesty notes that cut through the richness of the beef.
2 cloves garlic, minced – Adds aromatic depth and a gentle sharpness that enhances the overall savoriness.
2 tablespoons green onions, finely sliced – Provide a mild onion flavor and a bit of freshness throughout the filling.
1 tablespoon cornstarch – Helps bind the filling and hold in the juices so the dumplings stay moist rather than watery.
1/2 teaspoon salt – Fine-tunes the seasoning of the filling so every bite tastes well balanced.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper – Adds gentle heat and a subtle background warmth.
30 pieces round dumpling wrappers – The delicate skins that encase the filling and turn crisp on the bottom and tender on top.
2 tablespoons vegetable oil – Used for pan-frying the dumplings, helping create that golden, crisp base.
1 cup water – Added to the pan to steam the dumplings until the filling is cooked through.
3 tablespoons rice vinegar – Forms the tangy base of the dipping sauce, brightening each bite.
2 tablespoons soy sauce (for dipping) – Balances the rice vinegar in the dipping sauce with salty umami notes.
1 teaspoon sesame oil (for dipping) – Lends a fragrant, nutty finish to the dipping sauce.
1 teaspoon green onions, finely sliced (for dipping) – Adds a fresh, mild onion accent to the dipping sauce.

Simple Step-by-Step Method for Making Beef and Broccoli Dumplings

Take your time with each stage, especially the folding. It is perfectly fine if your dumplings do not look identical; they will still taste wonderful.

Prepare the broccoli. Finely chop the broccoli florets into very small pieces. Aim for tiny bits so they blend right into the filling and cook quickly inside the dumplings.
Combine beef and broccoli. In a large mixing bowl, add the ground beef and the chopped broccoli. Use your hands or a spoon to break up any clumps of beef so everything is loose and easy to mix.
Add the seasonings. To the same bowl, add the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sliced green onions. Sprinkle in the cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
Mix the filling thoroughly. Using clean hands or a sturdy spoon, mix until the ingredients are fully combined. The mixture should feel slightly sticky and cohesive, with the broccoli and seasonings evenly distributed throughout the beef.
Prepare your wrappers. Place one dumpling wrapper on a clean work surface or in your palm. Keep the remaining wrappers covered with a slightly damp cloth so they do not dry out while you work.
Fill the dumpling. Spoon about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of the beef and broccoli filling into the center of the wrapper. Try not to overfill; you want enough room to seal the edges.
Moisten the edges. Dip a fingertip in water and lightly wet the outer edge of the wrapper all the way around. This helps the wrapper seal properly.
Fold and seal. Fold the wrapper in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges firmly together, gently pushing out any trapped air so the dumpling is snug around the filling.
Optional pleating. If you like, create small pleats along the sealed edge by folding and pinching the wrapper as you go. This is decorative, but not required for a good dumpling.
Repeat with remaining wrappers. Continue filling, moistening, folding, and sealing until you have used all the filling and dumpling wrappers. Arrange the shaped dumplings on a plate or tray, making sure they do not touch too closely.
Heat the oil. Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Let it heat until the oil is hot and shimmering but not smoking.
Pan-fry the first batch. Arrange about half of the dumplings in the skillet, flat side down, in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bottoms turn a light golden brown.
Add water and steam. Carefully pour 1/2 cup of water into the skillet, then immediately cover with a lid. Reduce the heat to medium so the dumplings steam gently.
Steam until cooked through. Let the dumplings steam for about 6 to 8 minutes, until most of the water has evaporated and the wrappers look tender and slightly translucent.
Crisp the bottoms again. Remove the lid and continue cooking for 1 to 2 more minutes, allowing the bottoms to re-crisp and deepen in color. Transfer the cooked dumplings to a serving plate.
Cook the remaining dumplings. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet if needed, and repeat the pan-fry, steam, and re-crisp process with the rest of the dumplings and the remaining 1/2 cup of water.
Make the dipping sauce. In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce (for dipping), sesame oil (for dipping), and sliced green onions (for dipping). Stir well until everything is evenly mixed.
Serve and enjoy. Arrange the hot beef and broccoli dumplings on a platter and serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling.

Time, Effort, and When Your Dumplings Are Ready

This recipe is very approachable once you know the rhythm of it. Most of the time is spent calmly filling and folding.

Prep time: About 35 minutes, including chopping the broccoli, mixing the filling, and folding the dumplings.
Cook time: Around 20 minutes total, split into two batches of pan-frying and steaming.
Total time: Approximately 55 minutes from start to finish.

You will know the dumplings are ready when the bottoms are golden and crisp, the wrappers look tender and slightly translucent, and the filling is hot and cooked through. Serving them straight from the pan with the dipping sauce while they are still warm gives you the best texture and flavor.

A Quick Nutritional Overview of Each Serving

The following values are approximate and will vary slightly based on the exact ingredients and dumpling size, but this gives a helpful guideline for one serving of these beef and broccoli dumplings.

Calories: about 410 kcal
Carbohydrates: roughly 32 g
Protein: around 22 g
Total fat: about 20 g
Saturated fat: around 5 g
Sodium: approximately 980 mg
Fiber: about 2 g
Sugar: roughly 2 g

Thanks to the combination of beef and broccoli, these dumplings are both satisfying and flavorful, offering a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat in each portion.

Common Questions About Beef and Broccoli Dumplings

Can I prepare the dumplings in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the dumplings ahead of time. Arrange them in a single layer on a tray, cover lightly, and refrigerate for a few hours before cooking. When you are ready, cook them directly from the refrigerator following the same pan-fry and steam method.

Can I freeze the uncooked dumplings?

You can freeze the uncooked dumplings after shaping them. Place them on a tray in a single layer until firm, then transfer them to a container or bag. When cooking from frozen, add a little extra steaming time and make sure the filling is fully cooked through.

How do I know the filling is cooked properly?

The dumplings are done when the wrappers are tender, the bottoms are golden, and the filling is hot all the way through. If you are unsure, you can cut one dumpling open to check that the beef is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Closing Thoughts: Sharing and Enjoying Your Dumplings

There is a special kind of satisfaction that comes from setting a plate of homemade dumplings on the table, especially when you have folded each one yourself. These beef and broccoli dumplings are the kind of dish that invites people to gather around, reach in with chopsticks or forks, and enjoy conversation between bites.

Once you have tried this recipe, you may find yourself making it again whenever you want something cozy, hands-on, and rewarding. Take your time, enjoy the process of filling and folding, listen for the gentle sizzle as they crisp in the pan, and savor that first bite with the simple dipping sauce. Cooking like this turns a regular day into something a little more memorable, and sharing these dumplings is a warm way to bring the people you care about a bit closer.