Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup Recipe

If you’re craving comfort food with a warming, tongue-tingling kick, Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is your new best friend. Loaded with plump dumplings, earthy mushrooms, vibrant greens, and a fiery, savory broth, this is the soup I make whenever I want something utterly cozy and a little bit dramatic. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s the ultimate weeknight magic you’ll want in your back pocket all winter long!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love most about Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is how each ingredient, though simple, brings something essential to the party—whether it’s extra depth, a punch of color, or a blast of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why:

• Chili Oil: Adds that signature spicy warmth and gorgeous red swirls in the broth. Adjust to your preferred heat!
• Sliced Shiitake Mushrooms (or Baby Bella/White): These provide deep umami and a meaty bite, but you can leave them out or sub your favorite variety.
• Ginger: Use freshly minced or squeeze ginger—it gives the soup a bright, fresh-spicy backbone.
• Rice Vinegar: Offers a gentle tang to balance out the savoriness.
• Vegetable Broth: The savory, soul-soothing base that lets all the other flavors shine—choose a good-quality, flavorful broth for best results.
• Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Coconut Aminos: Brings salty-umami depth; go for low-sodium if you’re watching salt.
• White Pepper (optional): For an undercurrent of aromatic heat, white pepper is magic, but it’s fine to skip if you like it milder.
• Bamboo Shoots (optional): Adds crunch and a touch of sweetness that’s just lovely with the dumplings.
• Frozen Wontons, Dumplings, or Potstickers: The star of the show! Use your favorite filling (pork, veggie, chicken) and any size—just toss in straight from the freezer.
• Baby Spinach: Tender greens that cook in seconds and make this soup feel even more nourishing and beautiful.
• Cornstarch + Cold Water: Whisked together for a quick, easy thickener that gives the soup a silky finish.
• Chili Garlic Sauce or Sriracha: Adds zingy heat and bright chili flavor. Start modest and add more at the end to taste!
• Sesame Oil: Rich and nutty, a splash goes a long way in flavor.
• Hoisin Sauce: Sweet, savory, and deeply aromatic—this is your flavor secret weapon.
• Scallions and Sesame Seeds: The final flourish for a pop of green and a lovely little crunch.

Variations

The beauty of Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is how easily it flexes with your cravings, your dietary needs, or even what you find in your pantry. Here are some fun, practical swaps and spins you’ll want to try!

• Mild & Comforting Version: Simply reduce the chili oil and omit the chili garlic sauce and white pepper for a soothing, gentle bowl everyone can enjoy. Let the sesame oil and hoisin flavors shine!
• Add More Veggies: Toss in bok choy, Napa cabbage, or shredded carrots either with the spinach or as a replacement if that’s what you have on hand.
• Swap Your Dumplings: Use any type of frozen dumpling, potsticker, or wonton—or make the soup gluten-free by selecting gluten-free dumplings and tamari.
• Meaty Boost: Swirl in shredded cooked chicken or pork just before serving for a protein-packed meal upgrade.

How to Make Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms

Start by selecting ‘Sauté’ (make sure it’s on the “More” or “High” setting) and add 1/4 cup of that gorgeous chili oil to your Instant Pot insert. Once it’s shimmering, toss in the mushrooms and ginger. Give them about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally—this brings out the earthy flavors and that irresistible spicy aroma. If you’re skipping mushrooms, simply move ahead with the ginger and oil at the next step.

Step 2: Deglaze and Build the Broth

Pour in the rice vinegar and use your spatula to gently scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom. Then stir in the vegetable broth, soy sauce, white pepper (if using), bamboo shoots (totally optional), and slide in your frozen dumplings or wontons. Pile the baby spinach on top but don’t stir yet—this helps keep the dumplings whole and the spinach vibrant. Secure the Instant Pot lid and pressure cook on High for just 1 minute. When it beeps, give that valve a quick release for perfect, tender dumplings!

Step 3: Thicken the Soup & Finish with Flavor

While your soup cooks, mix together the cornstarch and cold water. Once the pot is done, hit Cancel, then start Sauté again on High. When the broth is bubbling, slowly stir in the slurry and cook for about 30 seconds—it’ll magically go silky and slightly thick. Turn off the heat and get ready for the final flavor party!

Step 4: Stir in the Sauces and Serve

Now, swirl in the remaining chili oil, chili garlic sauce (or sriracha), sesame oil, hoisin sauce, most of the sliced scallions, and your sesame seeds. Ladle that spicy, fragrant soup into bowls, and don’t forget a sprinkle of extra scallions and sesame seeds on top—it’s basically edible confetti!

How to Serve Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup

Garnishes

I always finish my bowl with a generous shower of scallions and a pinch of black and white sesame seeds—the color contrast is gorgeous! For extra luxe, add a drizzle of chili oil or a handful of cilantro leaves right before serving. A squeeze of lime gives a bright pop too, if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

While Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is a meal all on its own, I love serving it alongside crisp scallion pancakes, a tangle of sesame cucumber salad, or steamy white rice for soaking up the last drops of broth.

Creative Ways to Present

For a dinner party, ladle the soup into wide ramen bowls and let everyone add their garnishes tableside. Or try serving in small mugs for a cozy appetizer. If you’re meal-prepping, pack individual servings with extra chili oil in tiny containers for a punchy desk lunch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup can be cooled and stored in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. If you’ve got extra broth and want to keep the dumplings at their best, store them separately from the soup for less sogginess.

Freezing

While the broth itself freezes brilliantly (just pop it in freezer-safe bags or containers), I recommend freezing it without the dumplings, as their texture can become mushy when thawed. Instead, add fresh dumplings after you’ve reheated the base!

Reheating

To reheat, use the stovetop or microwave. If your dumplings have soaked up too much broth, simply add a splash or two of veggie broth while warming—plus, adjust the spice with more chili oil or sauce if you’d like the heat to come back to life.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Seriously, I can’t recommend Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup enough—every bowl is an invitation to slow down, savor, and warm up from the inside out. I hope you give this a try (and put your own spin on it). Let me know how spicy you go and what fun combinations you create!

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