Name: 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 3 green onions, chopped (separate the white and light green parts from the dark green tops); 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, minced or grated; 4 cups chicken, beef, or vegetable broth; 1 tbsp coconut oil; 12 oz wontons (frozen, e.g., Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons); 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1-2 dashes fish sauce; 1 dash rice vinegar (optional); ½ cup neutral oil (peanut, avocado, vegetable, or canola); 1 tsp sesame oil (optional); ¼ cup red pepper flakes; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced; 1 tsp sugar; ½ tsp salt; Optional: 1 cinnamon stick

Jump to Recipe· 3.8 from 35 reviews

If you’re craving a quick, comforting bowl that bursts with flavor, the 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe is exactly what you need. This vibrant soup combines tender wontons, aromatic broth, and a spicy, irresistible chili oil that you can whip up at home in no time. It’s a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and fresh notes that warms you from the inside out and never feels heavy. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a chilly day, this recipe brings a deliciously satisfying experience to your table without tying you down in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a wooden cutting board on a white marbled surface. On the board, there is a clear glass jar filled with light brown liquid placed near the left side. In front of the jar, two small piles of finely chopped ingredients sit side by side: one pile is white, the other is yellow. On the upper right section of the board, chopped light green onions are scattered, with whole green onions lying behind them. To the right edge of the board, a large knife with a silver blade and dark handle rests flat. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Getting this recipe right is all about a handful of simple, thoughtful ingredients that shine individually and harmonize beautifully together. Each item plays a unique role in delivering the perfect blend of aroma, taste, texture, and color to your wonton soup.

Green onions (3, chopped): Separate the white/light green parts for sautéing and save the tops for garnish, adding layers of freshness and crunch.
Garlic cloves (2, minced): Offers a warm, fragrant punch that’s essential in both soup and chili oil.
Ginger (1 tbsp, minced or grated): Adds a gentle spicy zest and depth to the broth and chili oil.
Broth (4 cups): Choose chicken, beef, or vegetable broth as the comforting base of the soup.
Coconut oil (1 tbsp): Perfect for sautéing aromatics, lending a subtle tropical note and silkiness to the broth.
Frozen wontons (12 oz): Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons or your favorite variety for convenience and hearty filling.
Soy sauce (1 tbsp): Brings umami richness to the soup’s broth.
Fish sauce (1-2 dashes): Just a small touch adds complexity and subtle depth of flavor.
Rice vinegar (optional, 1 dash): Lifts the flavors with a mild brightness and tang.
Neutral oil (½ cup): A neutral oil like peanut, avocado, vegetable, or canola is key for making the chili oil without overpowering the spices.
Sesame oil (1 tsp, optional): Provides a toasty, fragrant hint to enrich the chili oil.
Red pepper flakes (¼ cup): The core fiery ingredient that makes the homemade chili oil unforgettable.
Sesame seeds (1 tbsp): Adds a nutty crunch to the chili oil and a lovely visual contrast.
Garlic clove (1, minced): Intensifies the chili oil’s savory aroma.
Fresh ginger (1 tsp, minced): Infuses warm spiciness into the chili oil.
Sugar (1 tsp): Balances the heat and saltiness in the chili oil.
Salt (½ tsp): Enhances all the flavors evenly.
Cinnamon stick (optional): Adds subtle warmth and depth to your chili oil infusion.

How to Make 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chili Oil

Start by layering your chili flakes, sesame seeds, minced garlic, ginger, sugar, salt, and the optional cinnamon stick in a heat-safe bowl. Warm your neutral oil in a small pan until it’s hot enough to sizzle when you drop a little garlic in—this is your sign that it’s ready. Then, carefully pour the scorching oil over your chili mixture. The sizzling will toast the spices and release an intoxicating aroma. Stir gently and let it infuse while you move on to your soup base. If you already have chili oil on hand, skip this step and save some effort.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Melt the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in the white and light green parts of the chopped green onions, the grated ginger, and minced garlic. Let everything sizzle together until the aroma fills your kitchen—this builds the flavorful foundation for your soup.

Step 3: Simmer the Broth

Pour your chosen broth into the pot, bringing it to a gentle bubble. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about five minutes. This step lets all those wonderful aromatics blend deeply into the broth for a richer taste.

Step 4: Cook the Wontons

Slip the frozen wontons right into the simmering broth. Add the soy sauce, a couple of dashes of fish sauce, and the optional rice vinegar for brightness. Let the wontons heat through completely; if they’re pre-cooked, just a few minutes will do. Watch as they plump up and soak in all those flavors, turning irresistibly tender.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls and scatter the dark green tops of the green onions on top for a fresh crunch and pop of color. Generously drizzle your homemade chili oil over each bowl for a fiery, fragrant finish. The chili oil creates a beautiful contrast and adds a ton of personality to this already delicious soup.

How to Serve 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe

A bowl of soup with about ten white dumplings floating in light brown broth, topped with many bright green chopped spring onions and scattered red chili flakes mixed with sesame seeds and oil, creating a glossy spicy surface. The bowl is round, textured with shades of green and gray, placed on a white marbled surface next to a light cloth with green stripes. In the background, there is a wooden board with more chopped spring onions and a gray bowl with spicy oil, as well as a bronze-colored pot standing on a colorful square tile. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Fresh green onion tops are a classic choice, adding both color and a bright oniony bite. You can also sprinkle in toasted sesame seeds or a few fresh cilantro leaves for extra herbal zest and texture. A small squeeze of lime can bring a lively, tangy note that pairs beautifully with the chili oil’s heat.

Side Dishes

This soup shines on its own but pairs wonderfully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or a crisp cucumber salad to cool the palate between spicy sips. Light vegetable stir-fries or pickled vegetables also complement the soup’s warm, savory flavors perfectly, offering variety without overpowering it.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, serve the wonton soup in charming ceramic bowls and place small dipping dishes of extra chili oil at each setting for guests to customize their spice levels. You can also float thinly sliced red chilies or a soft-boiled egg to impress and add creaminess. Serving with chopsticks alongside a spoon encourages a joyful, interactive experience that makes the meal memorable.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover wonton soup in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Keep the chili oil separate if possible to maintain its vibrant flavor and texture. The wontons might soak up a bit of broth as they sit, so you may want to add a splash of extra broth or water when reheating to refresh the soup.

Freezing

Wonton soup isn’t the best candidate for freezing due to the texture changes in wontons, which can become gummy. However, you can freeze the broth and chili oil separately. Freeze the broth in portions and thaw gently before reheating, and keep the chili oil refrigerated to preserve its intense flavors.

Reheating

Reheat the soup gently on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid high heat as it can cause wontons to break apart. Add a little extra broth or water if the soup seems thick. Drizzle with fresh chili oil before serving to restore the signature spicy kick of the 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought chili oil instead of homemade?

Absolutely! Store-bought chili oil is a great shortcut, especially if you’re short on time. Just taste it first and adjust how much you add because some brands can be spicier or saltier than others.

Can I make this soup vegetarian?

Yes, simply use vegetable broth and substitute the wontons with veggie-filled versions. Skip the fish sauce or replace it with a splash of soy sauce or tamari to keep that umami depth.

What type of wontons work best?

Frozen pre-cooked wontons save time and work wonderfully, but fresh homemade or uncooked wontons can be used if you want to put in an extra step. Just cook according to package directions in the broth until tender.

How spicy is the chili oil?

The homemade chili oil delivers a moderate heat that can be adjusted by adding more or less red pepper flakes. If you prefer less heat, use fewer flakes or only drizzle lightly on your soup.

Can I prepare the chili oil in advance?

Yes! The chili oil actually tastes better when it’s had time to sit and infuse. You can make it up to a week ahead and store it in a sealed jar at room temperature or in the fridge for longer freshness.

Final Thoughts

This 20 Minute Wonton Soup with Homemade Chili Oil Recipe is a true culinary joy—fast to make but brimming with authentic, satisfying flavors that feel like a warm hug. I can’t encourage you enough to give it a try and make it your own with the spice level and garnishes you love most. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to come back to time and time again, whether you’re looking for comfort, a quick lunch, or a dazzling starter for dinner. Enjoy every flavorful spoonful!