Easy Vegan Dumpling Filling (for Bowls or Wrappers!)
Sep 28, 2021 • Updated Apr 08, 2024
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This easy gluten-free Vegan Dumpling Bowl features vegan dumpling filling made with tofu, and crunchy vegetables, and flavored with plenty of ginger, garlic, and sesame. Use this filling for bowls or vegan dumplings– you can’t go wrong!
What Makes This Recipe Work
Who doesn’t love dumplings? They’re the perfect one-bite treat to satisfy, and they’re always bursting with flavors–comfort food at its finest in my opinion. I decided to capture the classic flavors of dumpling fillings to make a healthy high-protein and veggie-packed lunch bowl.
Alternatively, you can use this delicious filling with homemade dumpling wrappers or store-bought dumpling wrappers to make vegetable dumplings. Dumplings can be made with different fillings, but since I eat a plant-based diet, I opted for a delicious veggie-forward filling.
This Vegan Dumpling Bowl recipe uses colorful, fresh veggies for added flavor and nutrition, plus firm tofu for plant-based protein. You can serve it on rice as a light meal or turn it into homemade dumplings in a snap.
Ingredient Notes
All you need are a few simple ingredients to make this vegan dumpling recipe at home.
- Tofu. I like to use super-firm or high-protein tofu for the firmer texture and added protein.
- Cabbage. You can use any kind of cabbage you like.
- Carrots. Shred your carrots right on a box grater.
- Mushrooms. I like shiitake, but you can use any kind of mushroom you like.
- Green onions.
- Garlic. For added allium flavor.
- Ginger for that classic dumpling taste.
- Soy sauce. You can also use tamari for gluten-free or coconut aminos.
- Toasted sesame oil. A little goes a long way to infuse your dumpling bowl with rich, nutty flavor.
- Salt and black pepper.
- Garnish with chili oil, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds. If you opt for stuffing the filling in dumplings wrappers, don’t forget the dipping sauce!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Grab a large mixing bowl to prepare your dumpling filling in. Start by crushing tofu with your hands, into crumble-y pieces (to resemble a ground). Add to the large bowl.
- Add cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, garlic, ginger, gluten-free soy sauce, and sesame oil, and using your hands, stir and mix until well combined.
- You can store this mix in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container or freeze it for 2-3 weeks. This mixture is good to use to make regular dumplings, fill wontons, spring rolls, etc.
- If enjoying immediately, heat a large skillet or frying pan on medium-high heat with a touch of olive oil, vegan butter, or neutral oil of choice.
- Sauté your dumpling filling until nice and golden brown. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve with fresh rice!
Secrets to Success
Make-Ahead Dumpling Filling
- This is a great recipe for meal prep if you’re planning ahead. You can store the uncooked dumpling filling in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Or even freeze it for 2 to 3 weeks.
- When you’re ready to dig in, simply toss everything into a hot skillet with your seasonings and saute until the veggies are crisp-tender.
Can I Make Regular Dumplings?
- Certainly! This recipe is a great veggie-packed, dumpling filling. All you need are some dumpling wrappers to make delicious vegan potstickers at home. There are quite a few vegan dumpling dough recipes for homemade wrappers online, or you can find them in-store.
Serving Tips
My favorite thing is to serve my vegan dumpling filling over a base of fluffy white rice. Here are some other great ways to enjoy the dumpling flavors of this bowl:
- Indonesian-Inspired Fried Rice
- Homemade Gluten Free Udon Noodles (vegan, grain-free, paleo)
- On shredded lettuce for a salad
- In large crunch lettuce cups
More Vegan Lunch Ideas
Garden Poké Bowls (vegan, gluten free)
Broccoli Caesar Salad (vegan, gluten free, oil free option)
Vegan Cucumber Tempeh Sandwich (gluten free)
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Easy Vegan Dumpling Filling (for Bowls or Wrappers!)
Ingredients
- 14 oz high protein tofu or super firm tofu
- 1/3 large cabbage shredded
- 2 medium carrots shredded
- 5 oz shiitake mushrooms finely minced
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1/2 tbsp garlic grated
- 1/2 inch piece ginger grated
- 3 tbsp gluten free soy sauce tamari or liquid aminos
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional
- extra green onion for garnish
- toasted sesame seeds for garnish
- chili oil to serve
Instructions
- Grab a large bowl to prepare your dumpling filling in. Start by crushing tofu with your hands, into crumble-y pieces (to resemble a ground). Add to the bowl.
- Add cabbage, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, green onions, garlic, ginger, gluten free soy sauce and sesame oil and using your hands, mix until well combined.
- You can store this mix in the fridge for 2-3 days in an airtight container or freeze for 2-3 weeks. This mixture is good to use to make regular dumplings, fill wontons, spring rolls etc.
- If enjoying immediately, heat a large skillet on medium high heat with a touch of neutral oil. Sauté your dumpling filling until nice and golden brown. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve with fresh rice!
Notes
Secrets to Success
Make-Ahead Dumpling Filling
- This is a great recipe for meal prep if you’re planning ahead. You can store the uncooked dumpling filling in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. Or even freeze it for 2 to 3 weeks.
- When you’re ready to dig in, simply toss everything into a hot skillet with your seasonings and saute until the veggies are crisp-tender.
Can I Make Regular Dumplings?
- Certainly! This recipe is a great veggie-packed, dumpling filling. All you need are some dumpling wrappers to make delicious vegan potstickers at home. There are quite a few vegan dumpling dough recipes for homemade wrappers online, or you can find them in-store.
Serving Tips
My favorite thing is to serve my vegan dumpling filling over a base of fluffy white rice. Here are some other great ways to enjoy the dumpling flavors of this bowl:- Indonesian-Inspired Fried Rice
- Homemade Gluten Free Udon Noodles (vegan, grain-free, paleo)
- On shredded lettuce for a salad
- In large crunch lettuce cups
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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