Dumplings are a delicious and versatile snack or a main dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Whether you prefer homemade dumplings made from scratch or frozen dumplings from the store, there are several ways to cook them to perfection. In this guide, we’ll cover three popular methods for cooking dumplings: boiling, pan-frying, and steaming.
How to Cook Frozen Dumplings
Cooking frozen dumplings is a quick and convenient way to enjoy delicious dumplings without the hassle of making them from scratch. Whether you’ve bought frozen dumplings from the store or have some leftovers in the freezer after using one of our dumplings recipes, cooking them is easy and can be done in a variety of ways.
Boiling Method
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. As someone who loves to cook, I always make sure to use plenty of water to ensure the dumplings cook evenly and don’t stick to the pot.
- Once the water is boiling, carefully add the frozen dumplings to the pot. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot, as this can cause the dumplings to stick together and not cook properly.
- Stir the dumplings occasionally to prevent them from sticking together. As someone who has had her fair share of dumplings stick together, I’ve learned that stirring them occasionally helps to keep them separated and cook evenly.
- Cook the dumplings for 3-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface. As someone who’s impatient when it comes to food, I like to test one dumpling to make sure it’s cooked to my liking before taking them all out of the water.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings from the water and transfer them to a plate. As someone who’s had dumplings slip off her spoon and back into the water, I recommend using a slotted spoon to make sure you get all the dumplings out of the pot.
- Serve the dumplings hot with your favorite dipping sauce or broth. As someone who loves a good dipping sauce, I recommend making a simple mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. If you prefer a broth, you can use chicken or vegetable stock and add in some sliced scallions or ginger for extra flavor.
Pan-Frying Method
- Heat a tablespoon of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. As someone who likes her dumplings crispy, I always make sure to use enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add the frozen dumplings to the skillet, flat-side down. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the dumplings to stick together and not cook properly.
Fried dumplings - Cook the dumplings for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden brown. As someone who likes her dumplings crispy, I resist the urge to flip them too soon and let them cook for a good amount of time on one side.
- Pour in a 1/4 cup of water to the skillet and immediately cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid. As someone who likes to multitask, I appreciate this step because it allows me to step away from the stove and let the dumplings cook for a few minutes without having to constantly watch them.
- Cook the dumplings for 3-4 minutes, or until the water has evaporated and the dumplings are cooked through. As someone who’s had undercooked dumplings, I always make sure to check that the filling is cooked through before serving.
- Use a spatula to remove the dumplings from the skillet and transfer them to a plate. As someone who likes to serve dumplings hot and crispy, I recommend serving them immediately.
Steaming Method
- Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. As someone who loves to cook, I always make sure to use plenty of water to ensure the dumplings cook evenly and don’t stick to the pot.
- Once the water is boiling, place a steamer basket in the pot. If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can use a metal colander or create a makeshift steamer by placing a plate upside down in the pot.
Steamed dumplings in a bamboo steamer - Arrange the frozen dumplings in the steamer basket, leaving some space between them. As someone who’s had dumplings stick together, I always make sure to leave some space between them so they don’t touch and stick together.
- Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam the dumplings for 8-10 minutes. As someone who likes to multitask, I appreciate this step because it allows me to step away from the stove and let the dumplings cook without having to constantly watch them.
- Use a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the dumplings from the steamer basket and transfer them to a plate. As someone who’s had dumplings slip through her tongs, I recommend using a slotted spoon to make sure you get all the dumplings out of the pot.
- Serve the dumplings hot with your favorite dipping sauce or broth. As someone who loves a good dipping sauce, I recommend making a simple mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. If you prefer a broth, you can use chicken or vegetable stock and add in some sliced scallions or ginger for extra flavor.
Cooking dumplings can seem intimidating, but we hope that with this guide, you will be willing to give it a try. Whether you prefer boiling, pan-frying, or steaming, there are plenty of ways to cook dumplings to suit your tastes and preferences. With a little practice, you’ll be able to make perfect dumplings every time. So go ahead and try these cooking methods and enjoy a delicious and comforting meal with your family and friends!
