Homemade Wonton Soup

A cozy, flavorful soup with tender homemade wontons, fragrant broth, fresh herbs, and plenty of green onions. You can absolutely use store-bought wontons to make this quicker.

Ingredients

For the wontons

• 1 lb (450 g) ground pork or chicken
• 2 green onions, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 25–30 wonton wrappers

For the soup

• 6 cups (1.4 L) chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes or chili oil, optional
• 1–2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 2–3 green onions, sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Make the wonton filling

In a bowl, combine the ground meat, green onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, pepper, and cornstarch.

Mix just until everything is evenly combined.

2. Fold the wontons

Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper.

Moisten the edges with a little water, fold the wrapper over the filling, and press firmly to seal. Bring the corners together if desired.

Keep finished wontons covered with a slightly damp towel so they don’t dry out.

3. Make the broth

Add chicken broth, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili flakes to a large pot.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5–7 minutes so the flavors develop.

4. Cook the wontons

Gently drop the wontons into the simmering broth.

Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, or until the filling is fully cooked and the wontons float and look tender.

Don’t let the soup boil aggressively, as the wrappers can break apart.

5. Finish the soup

Stir in rice vinegar and taste. Add more soy sauce, salt, pepper, or chili oil if needed.

Ladle into bowls and top generously with green onions and cilantro.

Serve hot.

⏱️ Time

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: ~40 minutes
Servings: 4–6

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving, assuming 6 servings:

• Calories: ~300
• Protein: ~20 g
• Carbohydrates: ~30 g
• Fat: ~10 g
• Fiber: ~1–2 g
• Sodium: ~900–1,200 mg

Nutrition varies considerably with the meat, wonton wrappers, and amount of soy sauce used.

Allergen Information

• Contains: wheat/gluten and soy
• May contain: sesame
• Dairy-free: Yes
• Egg-free: Usually, but check wonton-wrapper ingredients
• Nut-free: Yes, when prepared with the ingredients listed
• For gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free wrappers and gluten-free soy sauce/tamari.

Q&A

Can I use frozen store-bought wontons?
Yes! Add them directly to the gently simmering broth and cook according to the package directions, usually around 5–8 minutes.

Can I use chicken instead of pork?
Absolutely. Ground chicken works very well and produces a lighter wonton.

Can I freeze homemade wontons?
Yes. Freeze uncooked wontons in a single layer until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Cook them directly from frozen.

Why are my wontons falling apart?
Avoid overfilling them and make sure the wrapper edges are firmly sealed. A gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil also helps.

Can I add vegetables?
Yes. Bok choy, spinach, mushrooms, shredded carrots, or napa cabbage are excellent additions.

Can I make the soup spicy?
Add chili oil, chili flakes, or a small amount of chili crisp to the broth.

Can I prepare the wontons ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them several hours ahead and refrigerate, or freeze them for longer storage.

How do I know the meat filling is cooked?
The filling should be fully cooked through with no raw center. For ground meat, the safest check is an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork or 165°F (74°C) for chicken.