If you’ve ever made Chinese dumplings, you know that the process can be a little time-consuming.
But it’s worth it because they are so delicious.
So what do you do with all of the leftover fillings?
Here are some ideas.
Make dumpling soup
Making a soup from the leftover filling is very easy and tastes delicious.
The ingredients are simple: 1-2 cups homemade chicken broth, 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, ½ teaspoon salt (to taste), 2 to 3 leaves of bok choy or baby bok choy, chopped green scallions, chopped fresh ginger root.
This soup will taste even better if you use the leftover filling that is made of dark meat.
You can also add some white pepper or chili paste to spice it up.
Make fried rice
Leftover dumpling fillings are delicious when combined into a fried rice dish.
It’s best to add about ¼ cup chopped green onion, one small clove pressed or finely minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.
For added flavor, you can also add some dried shrimp powder (this is a typical Shanghai ingredient).
You can use leftover dumpling fillings and fried rice as a filling for steamed dumplings, or serve it on the side.
Turn them into potstickers
Another very common option is to turn them into potstickers.
Simply roll out the wrappers and fill with about 1 tablespoon of filling per wrapper.
Fold into pleats, then steam or pan-fry them.
You also have the option to deep-fry them, then sprinkle with a little bit of salt.
They will puff up and become very crispy on the outside.
Turn leftovers into wontons
You can also turn your leftover filling into delicious wontons using store-bought wrappers.
Simply place the mixture inside the wrapper, seal the edges by dabbing some water on it, and fry in oil.
If you don’t want to fry them, you can boil or simmer them in chicken broth instead.
I really like this because it makes it easier to eat the dumpling filling.
I just bring a few frozen wontons with me when I go camping, then cook them in boiling water or broth, and they are ready to eat.
Make meatballs
Another great option is to make meatballs out of the leftover filling.
The ingredients are simple: 1 lb ground pork, ¼ cup chopped green onion, ½ cup chopped canned water chestnuts (drained), 1 tablespoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cooking wine or sherry, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and a little bit of black pepper.
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, then roll into balls about the size of golf balls.
You can deep-fry or pan-fry them, then add them to noodles as a topping for a hearty meal with Asian flavors.
Make spring rolls or egg rolls
Making egg rolls or spring rolls is another popular option.
Again, this is a simple process: just add some Chinese cabbage and/or carrots to the leftover filling, wrap in a wonton wrapper or egg roll wrapper, then fry until crispy.
You can even make sweet egg rolls by adding sugar, sesame oil, and soy sauce to the mixture inside your egg roll wrapper, then fry them until crispy and enjoy with a sweet dipping sauce.
Make garlic pork buns or steamed buns
This is another popular dish that leftovers can be used for: steam leftover dumpling filling in a small bun or bread pan to make garlic pork buns or steamed buns.
They are delicious with a sweet dipping sauce made from equal parts soy sauce and rice vinegar.
I have also done this using large dinner rolls or hot dog buns, which tastes pretty good too.
Use it as a stuffing for vegetables or chicken
Leftover dumpling filling is great for making stuffed vegetables or chicken.
It’s best to saute some chopped Chinese cabbage, green onion, garlic cloves, and ginger in sesame oil until tender.
Add the leftover dumpling filling to this mixture, then pour beaten eggs over it.
Scramble the egg slightly using your spatula, then add a little bit of soy sauce and salt.
You can stuff cauliflower, butternut squash, cabbage leaves (add minced garlic and ginger to the filling), or basically any vegetable that you can think of.
You can also use this mixture as a stuffing for chicken breasts by baking it in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 20 minutes.
Freeze them for later use
Finally, you can freeze your leftover dumpling filling for another meal.
Just place it in a sealed freezer bag and store it inside the freezer, then thaw it out whenever you want to use them.
You can also freeze your prepared potstickers or wontons before cooking them to maximize their shelf life.
What is a good way to store dumpling fillings?
The best way to store dumpling fillings is by freezing them in a sealed freezer bag.
This will help to keep them fresh for later use.
Can I freeze cooked dumplings?
Yes, you can freeze cooked dumplings by placing them in a sealed freezer bag.
They will last for about 2-3 months in the freezer.
Is it safe to eat raw dumpling fillings?
No, it is not safe to eat raw dumpling fillings.
You should always cook them before eating. (source)
What is a good way to reheat frozen dumplings?
The best way to reheat frozen dumplings is by steaming them.
You can do this in a bamboo steamer or in the microwave (place them on a microwavable plate and cover them with plastic wrap).
How long will store-bought wonton wrappers last?
Store-bought wonton wrappers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
They will last for about 6 months there, or they can be frozen for extended storage.
What is the best way to store leftover potsticker filling?
The best way to store leftover potsticker filling is by freezing it.
This will help to maximize their shelf life and prevent spoilage while keeping them fresh for later use.
Should dumpling fillings be thawed before cooking them?
Dumpling fillings should not be frozen or thawed prior to cooking, as this can affect their flavor and make them spoil faster.
They should always be cooked immediately after preparation.
How long do cooking frozen potstickers take?
Cooking frozen potstickers takes a little longer than regular ones.
You can expect them to take about 10-15 minutes in total, from the time they enter the pan until you start eating them.
Keep an eye on their color and give them a stir throughout cooking if necessary.
Where can I buy frozen dumplings?
Frozen dumplings are generally sold in the freezer section of Asian grocery stores.
They are also available for purchase online.
Where can I find wonton wrappers?
Wonton wrappers can be found in most supermarkets, either in the refrigerated or freezer sections.
They are placed near the dumpling wrappers and can also be found in most Asian grocery stores.
Conclusion
So there you have it.
Some ideas to use your leftover dumpling filling.
These are just a few of my favorites, but I’m sure you can come up with even more ideas on your own.
Be creative and have fun with it.