This easy Wonton Soup recipe brings together tender wontons and a flavorful broth to create a comforting, satisfying dish! Surprise yourself by making an exceedingly good bowl of Wonton Soup that tastes just like it came from your favorite Chinese restaurant, in under 30 minutes!
Table of Contents
One of my favorites parts of eating dinner at a Chinese restaurant is a simple bowl of wonton soup with its savory broth and delicious wontons. It's so good that sometimes I find myself craving it at home even when we don't go out for Chinese.
Turns out, homemade wonton soup is not only quick to prepare but also perfect for any occasion, whether it's a chilly evening or a gathering with friends and family.
This chicken wonton soup recipe is the best way to serve up some classic Chinese food that's both rich in flavor and history.
Originating in Northern China, Wonton Soup has always been a beloved dish in both traditional Chinese cuisine and among fans of Chinese takeout worldwide. The key ingredients like chicken stock, scallions, and soy sauce are staples in Chinese cooking, providing a rich, authentic flavor that tastes just as delicious as my favorite restaurant version.
For more delicious recipes for easy soups, check out our Zuppa Toscana Soup, Homemade Tomato Basil Soup, Easy Minestrone Soup, Easy Pumpkin Turkey Chili, Egg Drop Soup, and Creamy Irish Leek and Potato Soup!
Why We Love This Recipe
- The only thing you need to know to cook wontons is how to boil a large pot of water, whether you're making your own juicy wontons from scratch or opting for premade ones.
- This recipe's adaptability to personal preferences and dietary needs, such as substituting ground pork with ground chicken or adding vegetables like baby bok choy, makes it a fantastic option for a nutritious and hearty meal that anyone can enjoy.
- This is a great recipe for busy nights as you can have a bowl of flavorful broth and tender wontons cooked to perfection within 30 minutes.
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Chicken stock - The liquid for the soup base, providing flavor depth and richness.
- Scallions - Adds a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor.
- Garlic cloves - Gives the broth a rich, aromatic flavor.
- Fresh ginger - Adds a warm, spicy kick that complements the garlic and scallions.
- Soy sauce - Brings saltiness and umami, adding to the savory notes of the broth. I prefer to use light soy sauce for its balanced flavor.
- Fish sauce - Provides a slight seafood hint, essential to many Asian broths.
- Frozen wontons - Choose between juicy pork, chicken, or shrimp wontons based on your personal preference, and fresh, homemade wontons can also be used if you prefer.
How to Make Easy Wonton Soup Recipe
- Pour stock into pot. Add the chicken stock to a medium pot or soup pot.
- Add soup ingredients. Add the whites of the scallions (keep the green parts for later use as a garnish), smashed garlic cloves, sliced fresh ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce to the chicken stock.
- Simmer soup. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
- Boil water and add wontons. While the broth is simmering, bring a separate pot of water to a boil over high heat, then add the wontons to the boiling water.
- Cook wontons. Cook the wontons until they float to the surface. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes for frozen wontons and a bit less for fresh ones.
- Place wontons in bowls. Once the wontons are cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer them into individual serving bowls to ensure that any excess water is drained away.
- Strain soup into bowls. Pour the broth into the bowls through a strainer to remove the solids, leaving a smooth, aromatic broth.
- Garnish and serve. Slice the remaining green parts of the scallions and sprinkle on top of the bowls.
Recipe FAQ's
Chicken broth and chicken stock are very similar, as stock is usually made from bones while broth is normally made using meat or flesh. They are generally interchangeable, and you can use broth instead of stock for this wonton soup recipe.
Yes! The wonton filling can be made with a simple mixture of ground meat (ground chicken, shrimp, or ground pork fillings are classic options), minced scallions, ginger, soy sauce, and a bit of sesame oil. Wrap this filling in wonton wrappers, then boil as directed in this recipe. Homemade wontons can add a personal touch and extra flavor to the soup.
Yes, pre-grated ginger is great to use in this recipe. You will need to include about ½ to 1 teaspoon in the broth.
I recommend you use it to get that classic Wonton Soup flavor. You do not have to worry about it tasting fishy. It just adds the umami flavor.
Yes, adding vegetables like baby bok choy, napa cabbage, or sliced shiitake mushrooms can make the soup more nutritious and colorful. Add them to the broth a few minutes before serving to ensure they're cooked but still crisp.
Yes, the broth can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the broth and cook the wontons just before serving to ensure a tender wonton and a soup that's piping hot. For more information on how to store wonton soup, check out the storage section below.
How Do I Store Wonton Soup?
To store Wonton Soup properly, the wontons should be stored separately from the broth to prevent them from becoming too soggy.
Storing the Broth
- Allow the broth to cool to room temperature to prevent bacterial growth. You can place the pot in a sink filled with cold water to speed up the process.
- Transfer the cooled broth to an airtight container. This will help preserve its flavors and prevent it from absorbing odors from the refrigerator.
- Store the broth in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, the broth can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Storing Cooked Wontons
- Allow the wontons to cool to room temperature.
- Place the cooked wontons in an airtight container or a ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Store the cooked wontons in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the wontons on a baking sheet before transferring them to a bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
Tips for Success
- Fresh ginger, garlic, and scallions are central to creating the aromatic base that characterizes an authentic wonton soup. Whenever possible, choose fresh ingredients over dried or powdered versions as this can make a world of difference in flavor.
- The savory broth is the main component of wonton soup, so using a high-quality chicken or vegetable broth, whether homemade or store-bought, can significantly impact the overall taste. If you have time, making chicken broth from scratch allows you to control the flavor and salt content.
- The key to a delicious broth is the right balance of salty, sweet, and umami flavors. Taste your broth after simmering and adjust if necessary with an extra dash of soy sauce for saltiness, a little bit of sugar for sweetness, or a few drops of fish sauce for depth.
- Cook the wontons just until they float to the surface, which indicates they're done. Overcooking can make the wrappers too soft and the filling less juicy. If you're unsure, test one wonton by removing it from the pot, and cutting it open to ensure the filling is cooked through.
- The garnishes not only add visual appeal but also introduce fresh flavors and textures to the soup, so don't skimp on the sliced scallions, and consider adding other garnishes like cilantro, a drizzle of sesame oil, or a sprinkle of fried garlic for additional layers of flavor.
What to Serve with Wonton Soup
Pairing the right sides with this soup can turn it into a full and satisfying meal, while also introducing a variety of textures and flavors. Here are some suggestions to complement the flavors and textures of Wonton Soup.
Vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, or snow peas, either steamed or lightly stir-fried with garlic, add color and nutrition to your meal without overpowering the delicate flavors of the soup.
A side of steamed white or brown rice or a small bowl of noodles (plain, rice, or egg noodles) can absorb the rich flavors of the soup and make the meal more filling.
A simple Asian-inspired salad, like my Asian Salad with Peanut Dressing, can offer a crisp and refreshing contrast to the warm, savory soup.
If you're aiming for a more elaborate meal, complement your wonton soup with a selection of dim sum items like steamed Chinese dumplings, spring rolls, homemade egg rolls, or potstickers. These small bites are perfect for sharing and can add variety to your dining experience.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use homemade chicken stock for a homemade touch, but store-bought works just as well for a quicker option.
- Swap chicken stock for beef stock, or use vegetable stock for a vegetarian version.
- A little bit of lemongrass, star anise, or cinnamon sticks in the soup broth will provide a different flavor profile. Remember to strain the broth to remove these larger items before serving.
- For a spicier soup, add a few slices of fresh red chili to the broth while it simmers, or serve the soup with a side of hot cause or homemade chili oil for individuals to adjust their own bowls according to taste.
- Add spinach, kale, or other leafy greens to the soup for extra nutrition - they'll wilt nicely in the hot broth.
- Turn it into a more substantial meal by adding cooked rice noodles or egg noodles directly into the soup.
- Customize each bowl with Asian-inspired toppings like boiled egg halves, bean sprouts, or bamboo shoots.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure that the soy sauce and wonton wrappers are gluten-free. Tamari is the best substitute for traditional soy sauce if you're going gluten-free.
More Asian-Inspired Easy Meal Recipes
- Asian Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi)
- Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Sliders
- Homemade Egg Rolls
- The BEST Orange Chicken
- Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs Recipe
- Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork
Wonton Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 3 scallions
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon fish sauce
- 20 frozen wontons
Instructions
- Add the chicken stock to a medium pot or soup pot.
- Add the whites of the scallions (keep the green parts for garnish later), smashed garlic cloves, sliced fresh ginger, soy sauce, and fish sauce to the chicken stock.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and let it cook for about 10 minutes.
- While the broth is simmering, bring a separate pot of water to a boil over high heat, then add the wontons to the boiling water.
- Cook the wontons until they float to the surface. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes for frozen wontons and a bit less for fresh ones.
- Once the wontons are cooked, use a slotted spoon to transfer them into individual serving bowls to ensure that any excess water is drained away.
- After the broth has simmered and is richly flavored, pour it into the bowls through a strainer to remove the solids, leaving a smooth, aromatic broth.
- Slice the remaining green parts of the scallions and sprinkle on top of the bowls.
Notes
Storage
Storing the Broth
- Store: Store the cooled broth in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the cooled broth in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Storing Cooked Wontons
- Store: Store the cooled wontons in an airtight container or a ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the cooled wontons on a baking sheet then transfer them to a bag or freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
