How to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer

Whether steaming dumplings is your kitchen specialty or it’s a rare treat, steamers can make the process easier. But if you don’t own a steaming pot or don’t have much time for cooking. This article will show some methods on how to steam dumplings without a steamer.

If you’re looking for an easy way to steam dumplings and don’t have a steamer, here is how to do it in a microwave: Place all the ingredients first in a covered bowl and mix thoroughly. Cube the chicken breast or pork shoulder and place it in the casserole dish. Or use ground pork if you don’t have any other meat.

Many people like steamed dumplings because they are simple and easy to make, but those who do not have a steamer can still enjoy healthy, fresh, and delicious dumplings. In this article, I will show you how to cook dumplings without a steamer.

How to Steam Frozen Dumplings Without a Steamer

 

Steaming frozen dumplings is one of the best ways to ensure they are perfectly cooked, but it may not be easy if you don’t have a steamer. Fortunately, You can still enjoy these delicious treats without using a steamer.

1. Steam in a pan with water and salt

The first option is to steam your dumplings in a pan with water and salt. You will need enough water for one layer of dumplings and about 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of water. Then set the pan on medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. 

Once boiling, add your desired amount of dumplings and cover with additional water so that there’s at least 1 inch above the top of each bowl (this will prevent them from popping out). Allow the water to boil and then reduce the heat to low, and cook for 7-10 minutes or until lightly golden brown on top.

2. Bake in the oven

We’ve got you covered if you’re looking for a way to bake frozen dumplings without a steamer. Here’s how:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 degrees Celsius) and place a rack in the center of the oven.

2. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over medium-high heat, then add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar. Add the dumplings and cook until they float to the surface, about 5 minutes. 

3. Drain in a colander set in the sink, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and bake until golden brown on top and crispy on the inside for 15 to 17 minutes.

3. You can use the microwave

Place your dumplings in a bowl and cover them with plastic wrap. Microwave at 500W for 3 minutes or until they are soft enough to break apart with your fingers.

You can also go old-school, use an oven-safe casserole dish, and cook them in the oven at 350F for 15 minutes.

For this method, ensure that the container you put your dumplings in is heatproof. If it isn’t, place aluminum foil over the top of each layer before putting more dumplings on top.

How to Steam Dumplings in Microwave

1. Place about 2 tablespoons of water in a microwave-proof bowl—Preheat the microwave to high for 30 seconds.

2. Place the strainer over the bowl and pour in your dumplings, shaping them into balls and placing them on top of the sieve (about 1 tablespoon each).

3. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 3 minutes on high power, then remove from microwave and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

How to Steam Dumplings Without Sticking

You can make steamed dumplings without sticking to the pan in several ways.

One way is to use a silicone spatula, a thin, flexible tool that allows you to slide it under the dumpling and lift it out easily. 

Another option is to steam the dumplings on a metal cooling rack placed over a heatproof bowl (a double boiler). It lets you avoid direct contact between the pan and the dumplings, which can cause them to stick.

Here is a step-by-step guide with a different method

1. Place the dumplings in a steamer basket lined with a kitchen towel.

2. Cover the pot with a lid and bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through but still have a slight bite left in them.

3. Remove the dumplings from the pot using tongs and place them on a plate, then set them aside until you are ready to serve them up.

How to Steam Dumplings in a Bamboo Steamer

Steaming dumplings is a great way to cook them. It takes less time, and you don’t have to deal with the mess of boiling water and steaming pots. You can also make dumplings in a bamboo steamer with this technique.

1. Place the bamboo steamer on top of the stove.

2. Fill the bottom part with hot water so that it is just below the lip of the steamer, and place a teacup or small bowl on top of that for stability.

3. Place water in a saucepan, bring to boil and turn off the heat once it is boiling rapidly.

4. Place dumplings into steamer and steam until they are cooked through, about 10 minutes per batch (or longer if needed).

Can I Use My Rice Cooker as a Steamer?

You can use your rice cooker as a steamer. If you want to steam food in your rice cooker, use the brown and white rice settings. If you are using the “Keep Warm” setting, you will not get a steamed result.

And If you’re using a small rice cooker, place it on the burner and turn on high heat. For larger models, you’ll need to add more water.

Once it’s heated up and has started to steam, place your food in the steamer basket in the rice cooker and close it tightly. Place a lid onto the pot and wait for about 20 minutes until all the water has evaporated from inside.

However, if you’re unsure whether it can function as a steam oven, there are some things you can do.

First, check the manual. If it has a steaming section, it probably will work. But if it doesn’t have that feature, don’t worry. You can still use your rice cooker as a steam oven by putting water on the bottom of the pan and then adding in whatever food you want to cook. Ensure that the water covers about two-thirds of the pan’s surface area (you may have to clean the water after cooking).

Next, check how much water is in your rice cooker. If there isn’t much left over from when you cooked your rice last week (or if there’s quite a bit), then be sure to put enough water in so there’ll be enough room for steam to form.

Finally, ensure there aren’t any other metals like aluminum foil or copper pots nearby that might interfere with the process. If all else fails, try using another type of cookware instead.

How Long Do Dumplings Need to Steam?

If you’ve ever made your dumplings, then you know that they take a long time to cook—and if you’re using frozen dumplings, even longer. But how long do dumplings need to steam? The answer depends on several factors:

• The type of dumpling (meat or vegetable)

• The size of the dumpling (how much filling it contains)

• The shape of the dumpling (whether it’s round or square)

• Your cooking method (whether you’re steaming or boiling)

Generally, you can cook your dumplings for as little as 10 minutes if you have a small-sized pot and 15 minutes if you have a larger one. Remember that the longer it takes for your dumplings to cook, the more likely they’ll fall apart when you remove them from the pot once they’ve finished cooking.

How Do You Steam Dumplings on the Stove?

 It’s time to learn how to steam dumplings on the stove!

Step 1: Place the wrappers flat on a clean countertop.

Step 2: Put enough water in a saucepan so that they will float, but not too much.

Step 3: Place the wrappers in the pan and cover them with a lid.

Step 4: Bring the water to a boil and let it cook for about five minutes (or until most of the water is gone).

You can also steam dumplings in a wok or large pan with a lid (like an aluminum foil pan). Ensure your pot lid is tight so no steam escapes during cooking. The other thing about this method is that it’s not as easy to control how long it takes for your dumplings to cook, so keep an eye on them closely and ensure they don’t burn.

How to Steam Dumplings in Thermomix

Steam dumplings are classic comfort food. They’re delicious, satisfying, and easy to make—but they can be tricky to get right.

Follow these steps to steam dumplings in your Thermomix:

1. Start by preheating the water to a boil, then add in the dumpling mix. Stir it around until the water is absorbed. You’ll know when it’s ready because it will thicken up and get sticky (but not too sticky).

2. Next, you’ll need to add your scalded milk or cream—pour it in slowly and stir well until it cools down enough to handle comfortably.

3. Pop this mixture into your Thermomix bowl and set your machine for 5 minutes at high speed (or whatever setting you usually use for boiling water). It should take this long to cook through your dumpling mixture and produce a light-brown color on top of everything else.

4. Once this is done cooking away, remove all but one cup of the liquid from your bowl and remove any pieces of dough stuck inside with a spatula before serving.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that Chinese dumplings (especially those Potstickers) are delicious. However, it’s equally a fact that making these dumplings can be somewhat of a hassle.

I hope this article on how to steam dumplings without a steamer has solved the challenge of preparing dumplings without a steamer.