How to Steam Dumplings: 3 Ways to Cook Dumplings

A dumpling is a small mass of soft dough that is boiled, fried, or steamed. Sometimes the dough is rolled out to encase a filling, other times it’s formed into a mound and cooked as is. Dumpling fillings can include meat, veggies, or even sweet fillings like nuts, beans, and fruit. Dumplings are typically bite-sized. You can serve dumplings in soup or on their own with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or chili oil.

Steamed dumplings are particularly prominent in Chinese cuisine: Chinese dim sum is a meal consisting of different types of small plates, namely Chinese dumplings. Some popular dumplings include soup dumplings, shrimp dumplings, pork buns, Chinese jiaozi, Korean mandu, and Japanese gyoza.

Steaming and boiling dumplings are cooking methods that involve water. Steaming uses hot water vapors to cook the dumplings. To boil dumplings, submerge them in a hot liquid, such as hot water or soup, to cook. Boiling dumplings yields a softer texture than steaming.

The most common way to steam dumplings is to use a metal steamer or a bamboo steamer, which is round with a flat bottom and top (you can also buy stackable metal steamers). Steamers are stackable, enabling you to cook multiple batches of dumplings simultaneously. To steam dumplings using a bamboo steamer, follow this step-by-step tutorial:

1. 1. Line the steamer. Line the bamboo or metal steamer with Napa cabbage leaves or parchment paper to prevent the dumplings from sticking to the steamer. You can either place the dumplings onto individual small pieces of parchment, or cut rounds that fit the steamer basket (make sure to poke holes in the parchment paper to make vents for the steam to go through). Cover the steamer with the lid.
2. 2. Fill a pan with water. Fill a wok or a pan with an inch of water, and place the bamboo steamer in the pan so the underside touches the water. (This is so the bamboo steamer doesn’t scorch. If you are using stainless steel steamers, you do not need to worry about scorching.)
3. 3. Steam the dumplings. Bring the water to a boil. Steam the dumplings until they are cooked through, about ten minutes (the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the dumplings and how close the steamer is to the heat). Monitor the water level and refill the pot with hot water as necessary. Do not use cold water, as this will slow the cooking process.

You can make homemade dumplings using dumpling wrappers or wonton wrappers and your favorite fillings, such as scallions, ground pork, and fresh ginger. You can also purchase frozen dumplings at the grocery store for a quick weeknight meal. You can prepare dumplings by steaming, boiling, or pan-frying:

1. 1. Steam: Steamed dumplings are dumplings that are cooked using hot water vapor. Dumplings are usually steamed using a steamer, particularly a specialized bamboo steamer, which is made for steaming dumplings. Steaming dumplings will give them a firm and chewy texture.
2. 2. Boil: The easiest way to cook dumplings is by boiling them. Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Place the dumplings in the boiling water until they are cooked through, about five minutes, depending on size. You can also cook dumplings in soup or broth, a popular way to make wonton soup or matzo ball soup.
3. 3. Pan-fry: Heat a pan over medium heat for a nonstick pan and medium-high heat for a steel pan. Cover the pan with oil. Add dumplings to the pan in a single layer and cook until the bottom layer is golden brown, about two minutes. Then add a half cup of water to the pan and cover with a lid. This will steam the dumplings and cook them completely through, about five minutes. Remove the lid and let the water evaporate. Continue cooking the dumplings until a crispy crust forms on the bottom. Pan fried dumplings are also known as potstickers because they stick to the bottom of the pan.

If you are using frozen dumplings, you can cook frozen dumplings without defrosting them.

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