Sichuan Dumplings in Chili Oil (Hong You Shui Jiao 紅油水餃)

These Dumplings in Chili Oil are spicy, savory, tangy, and incredibly easy to make! Boiled Chinese dumplings are tossed in a flavorful Sichuan-style chili oil sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, and a touch of sugar.

Jump to:

• What Are Dumplings in Chili Oil?
• Dumplings vs. Wontons in Chili Oil
• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• What Kind of Dumplings Can I Use?
• About the Chili Oil
• How to Make Dumplings in Chili Oil
• Substitutions and Variations
• What to Serve with Dumplings in Chili Oil
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Storage and Reheating
• Sichuan Dumplings in Chili Oil
• Pin for later!

The entire dish can be ready in about 15 minutes using homemade or frozen dumplings! This recipe makes two generous main-dish servings or three smaller servings when paired with vegetables, soup, or another side.

What Are Dumplings in Chili Oil?

Dumplings in Chili Oil, or Hong You Shui Jiao (紅油水餃), are boiled Chinese dumplings served with a spicy red chili oil sauce.

The sauce is more than just chili oil - it also contains soy sauce for savory flavor, vinegar for tanginess, sesame oil for richness, garlic, and a little sugar to balance everything out.

I love how the soft, chewy dumpling wrappers soak up all that spicy, garlicky sauce!

Dumplings vs. Wontons in Chili Oil

You may have also heard of Hong You Chao Shou (紅油抄手), or Sichuan wontons in chili oil.

Although the two dishes are similar, wontons and jiaozi-style dumplings are not exactly the same.

Wontons are generally made with thin, square wrappers and folded into a looser shape. Chinese dumplings, or jiaozi, are usually made with round wrappers that are thicker and folded into a crescent shape.

I already have a recipe for Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil, but I also love serving regular boiled dumplings with this sauce. The thicker, chewier wrappers make the experience a little different and they're perfect for soaking up the chili oil sauce!

Here's my Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and easy: The entire dish can be ready in about 15 minutes.
• Use any dumplings: Homemade and frozen dumplings both work.
• Full of flavor: The sauce is spicy, savory, garlicky, tangy, and slightly sweet.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the chili oil, vinegar, and sugar to suit your tastes.
• Perfect for leftovers: This is one of my favorite ways to turn frozen dumplings into a flavorful meal.

What Kind of Dumplings Can I Use?

You can make this recipe with almost any type of boiled Chinese dumpling! Pork dumplings work especially well with the spicy, tangy chili oil sauce, but chicken and vegetarian dumplings are also delicious.

Here are some homemade dumpling recipes you can use:

• Pork and Napa Cabbage Dumplings - A classic combination of juicy ground pork and tender napa cabbage.
• Pork and Chives Dumplings - Savory pork dumplings with the fresh, garlicky flavor of Chinese chives.
• Pork and Shiitake Mushroom Dumplings - Juicy pork and earthy shiitake mushrooms make these especially savory and umami-packed.
• Chicken and Napa Cabbage Dumplings - A slightly lighter option made with flavorful ground chicken and napa cabbage.
• Napa Cabbage and Tofu Dumplings - A light and flavorful vegetarian option that also pairs well with chili oil.

If you want to make everything from scratch, you can also use my Homemade Dumpling Wrappers.

Of course, store-bought frozen dumplings work too! You do not need to thaw them first- simply boil them according to the package directions, drain them well, and toss them with the chili oil sauce.

You can find even more ideas in my complete collection of Dumpling and Wonton Recipes.

About the Chili Oil

Sichuan chili oil works especially well in this recipe because it may include fragrant spices and Sichuan peppercorns, which add a slightly numbing, tingly flavor.

You can use your favorite store-bought chili oil or make your own homemade chili oil.

Try to scoop up some of the chili flakes and seasonings along with the oil. Those crispy, spicy pieces add even more flavor and texture to the sauce.

How to Make Dumplings in Chili Oil

First, gather your ingredients:

• 20 Chinese dumplings, homemade or frozen
• 2 tablespoons Sichuan chili oil, including chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1½ tablespoons Chinkiang black vinegar or rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons hot dumpling cooking water
• Chopped green onions, for garnish
• Sesame seeds, optional

Cook the dumplings

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Carefully add the dumplings and cook according to the recipe or package directions. If you are cooking homemade dumplings, gently stir them after adding them so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.

The dumplings will begin to float as they cook. Continue cooking until the wrappers are tender and the filling is completely cooked through.

Remove the dumplings with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a serving bowl.

Make the chili oil sauce

Add the chili oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic directly to your serving bowl and stir to combine.

If you are preparing several servings, you can mix the sauce ingredients together in a separate bowl first, then divide the sauce evenly among the individual serving bowls.

Toss and serve

Gently toss the dumplings until evenly coated. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, if desired, and serve immediately.

Substitutions and Variations

Make it less spicy

Start with 1 tablespoon of chili oil and replace the remaining amount with a neutral oil or additional sesame oil. You can always add more chili oil after tasting the sauce.

Use black vinegar

Chinkiang black vinegar adds a deeper, slightly malty flavor. Rice vinegar has a lighter taste and also works well.

Add Sichuan peppercorn

For extra mala flavor, sprinkle a small amount of toasted and finely ground Sichuan peppercorn over the finished dumplings.

Add chili crisp

Replace part of the chili oil with chili crisp for additional crunch and texture.

Make it vegetarian

Use vegetable or tofu dumplings and check that your soy sauce and chili oil are vegetarian.

Add vegetables

Serve the dumplings over blanched bok choy, napa cabbage, spinach, or bean sprouts to turn them into a more complete meal.

What to Serve with Dumplings in Chili Oil

This recipe makes two generous main-dish servings or three smaller servings when paired with soup, vegetables, or another side dish.

Because the dumplings and chili oil sauce are rich and flavorful, I like serving them with something light or veggie-forward. Here are a few delicious options:

• Tomato Egg Drop Soup - This light and comforting soup combines juicy tomatoes, fluffy egg ribbons, and savory chicken broth.
• Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad - Crisp, refreshing cucumbers provide a cooling contrast to the spicy chili oil sauce.
• Chinese Broccoli in Oyster Sauce - Tender-crisp Chinese broccoli is finished with a savory garlic and oyster sauce for an easy vegetable side.
• Taiwanese Cabbage Stir Fry with Garlic and Dried Shrimp - Sweet, tender cabbage is stir-fried with garlic and dried shrimp for a quick, umami-packed side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dumplings and wontons the same?

Wontons are a type of Chinese dumpling, but they are different from jiaozi - the style of dumpling used in this recipe.

Jiaozi (餃子) are generally made with round wrappers and folded into a sealed crescent shape. Wontons (餛飩) typically use thinner, square wrappers and are folded more loosely in a variety of shapes.

Both can be boiled and served with chili oil, but their wrappers, shapes, textures, and traditional preparations are different. Throughout this post, when I say "dumplings," I'm referring specifically to jiaozi-style dumplings.

Is Hong You Shui Jiao the same as Hong You Chao Shou?

They are closely related, but they use different types of dumplings.

Hong You Shui Jiao (紅油水餃) uses boiled jiaozi-style dumplings, while Hong You Chao Shou (紅油抄手) is made with Sichuan-style wontons.

Both can be served with a flavorful red chili oil sauce.

Can I use frozen dumplings?

Yes! Frozen dumplings are perfect for this recipe, and you do not need to thaw them first. Boil them according to the package directions, drain, and toss them with the sauce. This is my GO TO why I just need some food fast but want it tasty too!

What chili oil should I use?

Sichuan chili oil is ideal, especially one containing chili flakes and Sichuan peppercorns. However, you can use any chili oil you enjoy - they vary in spice level so take that in to consideration!

Is this recipe very spicy?

That depends on the chili oil you use. Start with less if you are sensitive to heat, then add more after tasting the sauce.

Storage and Reheating

These dumplings taste best immediately after they're tossed with the chili oil sauce.

If you have leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to two days. The wrappers will continue absorbing the sauce and may become softer while stored.

To reheat, microwave the dumplings in short intervals until warmed through. You can also briefly place them in simmering water, drain them, and add a little fresh chili oil sauce before serving.

For the best texture, store uncooked dumplings and the prepared sauce separately. Cook and combine them shortly before serving.

More Delicious Dumpling Recipes and Guides!

• Spicy Wontons in Chili Oil - Prefer wontons? This closely related Sichuan dish pairs thin, tender wontons with a spicy and savory chili oil sauce.
• Homemade Dumpling Wrappers - Make soft and chewy Chinese dumpling wrappers from scratch using just flour and water.
• Chinese Dumpling Dipping Sauce - This easy five-minute sauce is savory, tangy, and completely customizable for dumplings, potstickers, and wontons.
• More Dumpling and Wonton Recipes - Browse the complete collection of homemade dumplings, wontons, fillings, sauces, and cooking ideas.

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