Steaming Dumplings: Hacks For No-Steamer Cooking

There are several ways to cook dumplings without a steamer. One way is to use a metal steamer basket, but be warned that the dumplings will stick, so the basket will need to be sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with lettuce or cabbage leaves. Another option is to use a wire rack or aluminium foil balls to prop up a plate inside a pot of water. The plate should be coated with oil or non-stick cooking spray, and the dumplings placed on top and covered. Dumplings can also be cooked by frying them in a pan with a little water, or even in the microwave.

Microwave dumplings for 2.5 minutes to release trapped steam

If you don't have a steamer, you can cook dumplings in the microwave. This method is fuss-free and retains the dumplings' flavour and texture.

To cook dumplings in the microwave, first, get a microwave-safe bowl and place your dumplings on the flat bottom so they are spaced out evenly. Then, pour in enough water to cover the bottom half of the dumplings. Cover the bowl with microwave-safe plastic wrap or a plate. Put the bowl in the microwave and let it run for 2.5 minutes. Most of the water will evaporate and the trapped steam will cook your dumplings.

If you are cooking frozen dumplings, they may need to steam for an extra minute. You can check if they are ready by tearing one open and seeing if the filling is hot. If not, heat in 30-second increments until they are warmed through.

If you want crispy dumplings, put them on a pan over medium heat for about a minute after microwaving.

Use a wire rack to prop up a plate in a pot of water

If you don't have a steamer, one of the easiest ways to DIY one is by using a wire rack to prop up a plate in a pot filled with water.

To steam dumplings using this method, simply fill a pot or wok with a few inches of water, and then place your wire rack at the bottom, holding up a plate or dish. Make sure that the water doesn't touch the dish itself.

Before adding your dumplings, either brush the plate with a thin layer of oil, add some parchment paper, or some leafy vegetables like cabbage to prevent your dumplings from sticking to the plate.

Then carefully place your dumplings on the dish, giving them some space so they don't stick together.

Bring the water to a boil, put a lid over your pot/wok, and let the dumplings steam for about 10 minutes, until cooked through.

When your dumplings are done, remove your dish from the DIY steamer (be careful – the plate will be hot!) and enjoy your dumplings with your favourite dumpling dipping sauce.

Scrunch up three balls of aluminium foil to prop up a plate

If you don't have a steamer, you can still cook dumplings by propping up a plate with aluminium foil balls in a pot of water. Here's how:

Firstly, scrunch up three balls of aluminium foil. They should be roughly the same size and shape—about the size of a golf ball. Next, fill a pot with water—the water level should be about half an inch deep. Place the foil balls in the water, and then put a heat-safe ceramic plate on top of them. The plate should be slightly smaller than the pot, so that it fits snugly inside, with the foil balls propping it up.

Now, you can add your dumplings to the plate. Make sure they're spaced out and not touching, so they cook evenly. If your dumplings are frozen, they may stick to the plate, so you could line it with parchment paper or brush on some cooking oil first.

Finally, turn the stove to high heat and put a lid on the pot. Let the water come to a boil, then leave the dumplings to steam for about 10 minutes. After this, they should be ready to eat!

Pan-fry dumplings with a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil

Pan-Frying Dumplings

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Dumplings
• Water

Steps:

Firstly, pour about 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a pan with a lid. Set the pan on the stove burner and swirl the oil around to coat the pan evenly.

Next, add the dumplings to the pan, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching. Fry the dumplings for 1-2 minutes until the bottoms turn light brown.

Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the pan and cover with a lid. Turn the heat up to medium-high and let the dumplings steam for 3 minutes.

Finally, remove the lid and continue to fry the dumplings until the water has evaporated and the bottoms are golden brown and crispy.

Your dumplings are now ready to serve! Enjoy!

Boil dumplings in a medium to large pot of water

Boiling dumplings is a great way to cook a large batch in a short amount of time. This method ensures the wrappers are al dente, and allows the flavour of the juicy filling to shine through.

To boil dumplings, first, bring a medium-to-large pot of water to a boil. The amount of water in the pot should be enough to simmer for 10 minutes without drying out, but not so much that the dumplings will be submerged.

Next, drop in the dumplings and stir immediately to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Then, bring the water back to a boil and cook the dumplings for 6-8 minutes, depending on their size.

If the water reaches a vigorous boil, add 1/4 cup of cold water to prevent the dumpling wrappers from overcooking and becoming starchy. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil to the water to prevent sticking.

If you are cooking frozen dumplings, there is no need to thaw them first. Simply follow the same instructions, cooking for 8 minutes if boiling, and up to 10 minutes if steaming.

Frequently asked questions