Lazy Wonton Soup
For a quick and satisfying meal, Lazy Wonton Soup is the perfect choice! This delightful dish combines tender beef meatballs and wonton wrappers in a rich, aromatic broth. It’s an easy recipe to whip up for a cozy dinner or to impress guests at a casual gathering. The standout flavors of ginger and garlic, paired with fresh vegetables, make this soup both comforting and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: With minimal prep and cooking time, you can have a warm bowl of soup ready in under 40 minutes.
- Flavorful Broth: The combination of ginger, garlic, and soy sauce creates a taste that is both savory and refreshing.
- Versatile Ingredients: Customize the soup by adding your favorite veggies or using different ground meats to suit your taste.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and store leftovers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe is sure to please everyone at the table, making it great for family dinners.
Tools and Preparation
To prepare Lazy Wonton Soup efficiently, having the right tools on hand is essential. Here’s what you’ll need:
Essential Tools and Equipment
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
Importance of Each Tool
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven: Ideal for simmering the broth and cooking all the ingredients evenly.
- Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping vegetables and preparing meatballs.
- Mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients when making the beef mixture.

Ingredients
For this lazy wonton soup, you skip making filled wontons, and drop beef meatballs and quartered wonton wrappers right into the gingery, flavorful broth. This recipe is SO delicious!
Ingredients:
– 2 quarts chicken stock or broth
– 1 bunch green onions, divided
– 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
– 1 (3-inch) piece ginger, peeled, or 2 teaspoons ground ginger, divided
– 2 Tablespoons soy Sauce, plus more to taste
– 1 1/2 teaspoons rice or white vinegar
– 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, divided
– 1 pound ground beef
– 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
– 2 teaspoons cornstarch
– 3 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped (about 3 cups)
– 20 wonton wrappers, cut into quarters
– Sriracha Hot Sauce or Chili Crunch (optional)
How to Make Lazy Wonton Soup
Step 1: Prepare the Broth
- Place chicken stock in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Cut white parts of green onions into 1-inch pieces and add them to the broth.
- Add sliced garlic clove to the pot.
- Thinly slice 1 inch of ginger (or use 1 teaspoon ground) and add it to the stock.
- Stir in soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Bring mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Make the Beef Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, place ground beef.
- Finely slice remaining green parts of green onions; set aside 3 tablespoons for garnish.
- Add remaining sliced onions to the bowl along with grated ginger (from remaining piece).
- Mix in remaining soy sauce, salt, sesame oil, and cornstarch until well combined.
Step 3: Cook Meatballs
- Form mixture into 1-inch balls; add them directly to the boiling broth.
- Alternatively, drop heaping teaspoons full of beef mixture into the broth instead of forming balls.
- Reduce heat to a simmer; cook meatballs for about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Add Wontons and Vegetables
- Gently stir in quartered wonton wrappers and chopped bok choy into the pot.
- Adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce if desired.
- Cook for another 8 minutes while stirring occasionally.
Step 5: Serve Your Soup
Serve hot with reserved green onions on top. Add Sriracha hot sauce or chili crunch if you like extra spice! Enjoy your delightful Lazy Wonton Soup!
How to Serve Lazy Wonton Soup
Serving Lazy Wonton Soup is all about enhancing its rich flavors and creating a delightful dining experience. Here are some ideas to elevate your soup presentation and enjoyment.
Garnish with Fresh Ingredients
- Green Onions: Sprinkle finely sliced green onions on top for a fresh crunch.
- Sriracha or Chili Crunch: Add a drizzle for those who enjoy a spicy kick.
Pair with Rice
- Steamed Jasmine Rice: Serve a side of fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious broth.
- Fried Rice: A flavorful fried rice can complement the soup and make for a filling meal.
Accompany with Salads
- Asian Cucumber Salad: This refreshing salad provides a nice contrast to the warmth of the soup.
- Seaweed Salad: A tangy seaweed salad adds an umami flavor that pairs well with the broth.
Best Side Dishes for Lazy Wonton Soup
Pairing side dishes with your Lazy Wonton Soup can enhance the meal’s overall appeal. Here are some great options:
- Spring Rolls: Crispy spring rolls filled with vegetables or shrimp provide a delightful crunch.
- Edamame Beans: Steamed edamame sprinkled with sea salt makes for a healthy and tasty snack.
- Dumplings: Pan-fried or steamed dumplings filled with chicken or vegetables complement the soup beautifully.
- Garlic Sesame Noodles: Tossed in sesame oil and garlic, these noodles add an extra layer of flavor.
- Miso Soup: A light miso soup can serve as a soothing starter before enjoying your main dish.
- Vegetable Tempura: Lightly battered and fried vegetables offer a crispy contrast to the broth’s warmth.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When making Lazy Wonton Soup, it’s easy to overlook some important steps. Here are a few common mistakes and how to avoid them.
- Ignoring broth flavor: A bland broth can ruin your soup. Ensure you use high-quality chicken stock and season it well with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for maximum flavor.
- Overcooking the meatballs: Cooking the beef meatballs for too long can make them tough. Aim for a gentle simmer and cook just until they are cooked through.
- Using stale wonton wrappers: Old wonton wrappers can break apart easily. Always check the expiration date and store them properly to ensure freshness.
- Neglecting the veggies: Adding bok choy too late can result in undercooked vegetables. Add them in time so they become tender but still crisp.
- Not tasting as you go: Failing to taste your broth before serving may lead to an unbalanced flavor profile. Adjust seasonings as needed throughout the cooking process.

Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerator Storage
- Store leftover Lazy Wonton Soup in an airtight container.
- It will keep well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freezing Lazy Wonton Soup
- Freeze portions of the soup in freezer-safe containers or bags.
- The soup can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating Lazy Wonton Soup
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C), place soup in an oven-safe dish covered with foil, and heat for about 20-25 minutes.
- Microwave: Heat soup in a microwave-safe bowl for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Stovetop: Warm on medium heat in a saucepan, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about Lazy Wonton Soup that might help you during your cooking adventure.
What makes this Lazy Wonton Soup so quick?
This recipe skips traditional filled wontons by using ground beef meatballs and quartered wonton wrappers, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
Can I customize my Lazy Wonton Soup?
Absolutely! You can add different vegetables like mushrooms or carrots, adjust the protein type, or even add noodles for extra heartiness.
Is it possible to make this soup vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth instead of chicken stock for a delicious vegetarian version.
How do I enhance the flavor of my broth?
You can enhance your broth by adding extra spices like star anise or five-spice powder, along with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil just before serving.
Final Thoughts
Lazy Wonton Soup is not only incredibly delicious but also versatile. You can easily customize it with various proteins and vegetables based on your preferences. Give this recipe a try; it’s perfect for a cozy dinner or when you’re short on time!
Lazy Wonton Soup
Lazy Wonton Soup is a quick and satisfying dish that brings the warmth of home-cooked comfort to your table. This delightful soup features tender beef meatballs and wonton wrappers simmered in a rich, aromatic broth infused with ginger, garlic, and fresh vegetables. Perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive meal for guests, this easy recipe is ready in under 40 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights. With its savory flavors and customizable ingredients, Lazy Wonton Soup is sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
- 2 quarts chicken stock or broth
- 1 bunch green onions, divided
- 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
- 1 (3-inch) piece ginger, peeled, or 2 teaspoons ground ginger, divided
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce, plus more to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rice or white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 heads baby bok choy, roughly chopped (about 3 cups)
- 20 wonton wrappers, cut into quarters
- Sriracha Hot Sauce or Chili Crunch (optional)
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat chicken stock over medium-high heat. Add chopped green onions, sliced garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with finely sliced green onions, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Mix well.
- Form mixture into 1-inch meatballs and drop them into the boiling broth. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in quartered wonton wrappers and chopped bok choy. Cook for another 8 minutes while stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional green onions and Sriracha if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 300g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
