Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup Recipe

If you’re craving a bowl of bold, tingly comfort in a fraction of the time, look no further than Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup! This vibrant, flavor-packed soup brings together bouncy wontons, silky mushrooms, and fiery chili oil in a glorious spicy, tangy broth you’ll want to sip straight from the bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Instant Comfort: Every slurp is warming, spicy, and loaded with pillowy dumplings—like a hug in a bowl!
  • Incredible Flavor, Fast: Thanks to the Instant Pot, you get deep, complex flavors in under 20 minutes—no slow simmering needed.
  • Flexible Heat Level: You can easily adjust the spice from mild to flame-thrower-hot to suit everyone at the table.
  • Easily Customizable: Swap dumpling fillings, change up the veggies, or make it vegetarian—it’s the chameleon of soup recipes!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is how its handful of pantry staples and freezer favs come together to make a bowl that tastes like it simmered for hours. Each element builds delicious layers of spice, savoriness, and freshness—don’t skip a thing!

  • Chili oil: The fiery backbone—start with less and build up the heat to your liking for max comfort or maximum tingle!
  • Mushrooms (shiitake or white/baby bella): They soak up the broth and make every spoonful meaty and satisfying—even in a vegetarian soup.
  • Fresh ginger: Squeeze ginger is perfectly fine! It gives the soup a hint of warmth and complexity that dances with the chili heat.
  • Rice vinegar: Adds a clean pop of acidity that balances all the rich, savory flavors.
  • Vegetable broth: Stick to a good-quality broth—homemade or store-bought—for a deep, savory foundation (chicken broth works too if you’re not vegetarian).
  • Soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos: Your ticket to umami-ville; low-sodium is best for tweaking salt levels.
  • White pepper (optional): Brings mellow heat and floral notes—just a gentle background kick.
  • Bamboo shoots (optional): They add a juicy crunch and subtle sweetness, but you can skip if you’re not a fan.
  • Frozen wontons, dumplings, or potstickers: The star of the show! Pick your favorite filling and size—they all work here.
  • Baby spinach: Tossed in at the end, it offers bright green color and tender bites in every scoop.
  • Cornstarch & cold water: Whisked into a silky slurry, these thicken the broth so it holds all the good stuff.
  • Chili garlic sauce or sriracha: More heat, more flavor—add to taste or skip for a milder finish.
  • Sesame oil: For that toasty, nutty aroma that instantly says “takeout night at home.”
  • Hoisin sauce: Adds a sweet, savory “something special” depth to the broth.
  • Scallions: These give freshness and a crunchy finish—don’t forget to sprinkle extra on top.
  • Sesame seeds (black or regular): They look gorgeous and add little pops of crunch throughout.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Here comes the fun part! Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup is like a blank canvas—you can swap, tweak, and remix the ingredients to match what you have on hand or your favorite flavors and dietary needs.

  • Mild Version: Lower the chili oil and chili garlic sauce, or leave them out completely—then ramp up the sesame oil for extra richness without the heat.
  • Meat Lover’s Edition: Use pork, chicken, or even shrimp dumplings for heartier bites; chicken broth also adds extra umami depth.
  • Vegetarian or Vegan: Choose plant-based dumplings and double up on mushrooms and spinach for cozy, plant-powered comfort.
  • Mix Up the Greens: Try napa cabbage, bok choy, or kale in place of baby spinach for new textures and flavors.
  • Customize the Broth: Stir in a spoonful of miso paste, add star anise, or finish with a drizzle of black vinegar for a twist on the classic.

How to Make Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup

Step 1: Sauté the Mushrooms and Ginger

Start by adding 1/4 cup of chili oil to your Instant Pot, hit Sauté (set it to More or High), and give it a few minutes to get shimmering-hot. Toss in the sliced mushrooms and fresh ginger. Sauté for about 3 minutes, letting the mushrooms soften and soak up that spicy oil, while the ginger perfumes the air—don’t be afraid to sneak a taste at this stage!

Step 2: Build Your Flavorful Broth

Pour in the rice vinegar and use your spoon to scrape up any browned bits—that’s pure flavor! Add the vegetable broth, soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos), optional white pepper and bamboo shoots, then nestle in your frozen wontons or dumplings. Scatter the baby spinach right on top but don’t stir—let the greens steam gently when you seal the pot.

Step 3: Pressure Cook in a Flash

Secure the lid, hit Cancel, then select Pressure Cook (or Manual) on High Pressure for just 1 minute. Yep, just a minute! When time’s up, use a quick release for a steamy, fragrant finish. Those dumplings will be soft and everything will be perfectly cooked.

Step 4: Thicken and Finish

While the soup’s cooking, mix up your cornstarch slurry—just equal parts cornstarch and cold water. When the pressure releases, hit Sauté again (More or High), bring the soup to a bubble, and stir in the slurry for about 30 seconds. Watch it go from watery to a silky, restaurant-style soup. Switch off the heat, then stir in the rest of the chili oil, chili garlic sauce (or sriracha), sesame oil, hoisin sauce, plus your scallions and sesame seeds.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Ladle the piping-hot soup into bowls, making sure everyone gets plenty of dumplings and veggies. Top with more scallions and sesame seeds for extra crunch and color. Now grab your spoons—this is Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup magic in a bowl!

Pro Tips for Making Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup

  • Spice Management: The chili oil and chili garlic sauce pack a punch! Taste and add gradually if you’re unsure—you can always make it spicier at the end.
  • Perfect Wonton Texture: For firmer dumplings or wontons, add them during the thickening step instead of pressure cooking—they’ll hold up better and absorb less broth.
  • No Mushrooms? No Problem: Skip the sauté step and simply add extra greens or bamboo shoots in with the broth for body and flavor.
  • Broth Absorption Fix: If you expect leftovers, cook and store dumplings separately, then add fresh to each serving to avoid them soaking up all your delicious soup.

How to Serve Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup

Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I love showering my bowl of Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup with extra sliced scallions, a bold sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds, and, for the brave, a final swirl of chili oil for color and oomph. Fresh cilantro, a spritz of lime, or crispy fried garlic chips also make fantastic, flavor-boosting toppers.

Side Dishes

This soup is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to turn dinner into a feast, pair it with a cool cucumber salad, spicy garlic green beans, or simple steamed rice to balance all that savory heat. A pot of jasmine tea is a lovely bonus, too!

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, serve Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup in deep ramen bowls with chopsticks and ceramic soup spoons for an “instant noodle bar” vibe. Or, set out little toppings bowls—sesame seeds, extra chili oil, herbs—so everyone can customize their own bowl at the table. It’s a guaranteed conversation starter!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover soup in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The broth will continue to infuse the dumplings with flavor, but keep in mind they may soften over time—still delicious, just more tender!

Freezing

If you want to freeze, it’s best to store the broth and dumplings separately. Let everything cool completely, then pack dumplings and soup base in different containers. This way, the dumplings keep their texture when reheated later.

Reheating

Gently reheat soup on the stove or using the sauté function on your Instant Pot, adding extra broth as needed to loosen things up. If reheating frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first and reheat gently to keep the dumplings from falling apart.

FAQs

  1. How spicy is Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup as written?

    The recipe lands around a 7–8 out of 10 on the spice scale—but it’s easy to dial up or down! Simply adjust the chili oil and chili garlic sauce to your desired heat level, or leave them out entirely for a mild, family-friendly version.

  2. Can I use different dumplings or wontons?

    Absolutely! This soup works beautifully with pork, chicken, shrimp, or veggie dumplings—potstickers or wontons of any size (mini or jumbo) give slightly different textures, but all are delicious.

  3. What can I do if I don’t eat mushrooms?

    No problem at all—just leave them out! You can pump up other veggies like baby spinach, bok choy, or bamboo shoots, or simply add more dumplings to keep the soup hearty.

  4. How do I prevent the dumplings from getting soggy if I want leftovers?

    The secret is to cook the dumplings separately or only add as many as you’ll eat right away. Store leftover broth and dumplings separately, then combine and heat together just before serving for the perfect texture each time.

Final Thoughts

Give yourself a bowl of this Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup and you’ll wonder why you ever settled for takeout. It’s cozy, quick, and endlessly adaptable—made to warm you up from head to toe and bring a big, happy grin to your face. Try it tonight and let your kitchen fill with the mouthwatering aroma of something truly special!

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Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup Recipe

Instant Pot Spicy Dumpling Soup Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 80 reviews
  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 minute
  • Total Time: 19 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Asian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A comforting and spicy dumpling soup made effortlessly in the Instant Pot. This flavorful soup features a rich broth filled with dumplings, mushrooms, spinach, and a kick of chili oil.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Chili Oil:

  • 1/2 cup chili oil, divided

Soup Base:

  • 510 ounces sliced shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced or crushed
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
  • 1 (16-ounce) can bamboo shoots, drained (optional)
  • 11 1/2 pounds frozen wontons, dumplings, or potstickers
  • 810 ounces baby spinach
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch + 3 tablespoons cold water

Seasonings:

  • 1/3 cup chili garlic sauce OR sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 bunch scallions, sliced and divided
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Sauté Mushrooms: Heat 1/4 cup chili oil in the Instant Pot. Sauté mushrooms and ginger for 3 minutes.
  2. Add Ingredients: Stir in rice vinegar, broth, soy sauce, white pepper, bamboo shoots, and dumplings. Top with spinach. Pressure cook for 1 minute.
  3. Thicken Soup: Create a cornstarch slurry and add to the soup to thicken.
  4. Season and Serve: Stir in remaining chili oil, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, scallions, and sesame seeds. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more sesame seeds and scallions.

Notes

  • Adjust spice levels to preference by following Jeff’s Tips.
  • For a thinner soup, reduce cornstarch slurry amount.
  • Leftovers can be reheated with added broth and seasonings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 1100mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 5g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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