It’s a Friday night, and you feel like ordering in. You’re craving some fresh dumplings but have no idea what to serve them with.
So what can you eat with dumplings?
Dumplings are eaten with almost any side dish you can imagine. Traditional foods include vegetable stir fry, spring rolls, and cucumber salads. You can even serve dumplings as a dessert with vanilla ice cream, chocolate fondue, and rice pudding. For a unique twist, you can make pizza dumplings.
Are you new to the delicious world of dumplings and have no idea what’s the best pair for a dumpling? This guide will fill you in on all the best foods that can be enjoyed with dumplings.
What Food Goes Well With Dumplings?
Dumplings, also known as potstickers, are delicious and pair well with almost any food.
You can focus on sweet food such as cinnamon apples and ice cream, or enjoy your dumplings with something more traditional like an egg drop soup.
But wait, there’s more.
Since dumplings are so popular, it should come as no surprise that people have gotten creative with how they eat their dumplings. A unique way to serve dumplings is by making a pepperoni pizza dumpling.
Did you know? Dumplings are designed to be eaten in one mouthful. Cutting a dumpling is considered bad manners; plus, it makes a big mess when the filling falls out.
8 Foods That Goes Well with Dumplings
Let’s look at some of the best side dishes that go well with dumplings. For easy reference, the foods have been categorized under traditional, sweet, and unique options:
Traditional Foods
1. Stir-Fried Vegetables
Stir-fried vegetables are one of the most traditional foods to serve with delicious dumplings.
Even though this is a traditional recipe, it doesn’t take long to prepare (about 20 minutes), and it’s still a popular food today.
For the sauce, you’ll need the following:
- Rice vinegar
- Cornstarch
- Soy sauce
- Sugar
- Sesame oil
All the ingredients are whisked together and make a tangy, sweet sauce. You can use the following veggies in your stir fry:
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Ginger
- Carrots
- Scallions
- Green beans
The veggies are then seasoned with salt and fried for around 3 minutes (they must still be crisp), and then the sauce is poured on top and combined. Serve immediately with your fresh dumplings.
2. Spring Rolls
This might sound like a weird combo, especially because dumplings and spring rolls are similar. But serving spring rolls with dumplings is a traditional Asian meal.
The dumplings can be stuffed with cheese or meat, and the spring rolls can be stuffed with vegetables, sauces, and rice noodles.
The crispy texture of the spring rolls pairs nicely with the soft doughy texture of the dumplings. A simple sweet and sour sauce can also be served with the dish.
Top Tip: You can buy fresh or frozen spring rolls from most grocery stores or Asian restaurants.
3. Cucumber Salad with Garlic Dressing
Try a cucumber salad with a garlic dressing if you want something fresh and crisp to go with your dumplings on a hot summer’s day. A cucumber salad is quick to make and very refreshing.
Serve with chicken stuffed dumplings to complement the clean taste of the cucumber salad. You can pour the additional garlic dressing over the dumplings.
Top Tip: Serve the cucumber salad chilled, and don’t hold back on the garlic sauce.
Sweet Options
4. Vanilla Ice Cream
If you thought dumplings were only for savory moments, you are mistaken. Nothing is yummier than an apple-stuffed dumpling with creamy vanilla (or any flavor for that matter) ice cream on the side.
This dessert is finger-licking good, and you don’t need to feel too guilty because there’s fruit in it.
Top Tip: For a crispier texture, you can roll the dumplings in brown sugar and cinnamon and bake them until they’re crisp and golden on the outside.
5. Chocolate and Cherry Fondue
Picture dipping a fluffy dumpling into a pot of warm, decadent chocolate and sprinkling candied cherries and walnuts over the top.
This dessert will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth. The nice thing about Fondue is it’s a social dessert and makes for a great party.
Top Tip: To shake things up, you can fill the dumplings with strawberry cream and a fruity liqueur.
6. Coconut Rice Pudding
A popular dish to eat with dumplings is sticky rice, so it makes sense that potstickers would go well with rice pudding. Coconut rice pudding is made with rice, shredded coconut meat, sugar, and full-fat coconut milk.
Serve with tasty dumplings and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and you have a dessert that’s sweet and filling.
Top Tip: Add some rum-soaked raisins to your pudding to break the texture of the rice pudding.
Unique Options
7. Gorgonzola, Fig, Walnut, and Mushroom Dumplings
If you want to try out some unique food options that work with dumplings, you must try the gorgonzola, fig, walnut, and mushroom stuffed dumplings. This unique combination of foods takes your taste buds on an adventure.
These pockets of happiness can be eaten just as is, or you can dip them in soy or peanut sauce.
Top Tip: These stuffed dumplings freeze very well and make an excellent addition to an Asian-style broth.
8. Pepperoni Pizza Dumplings
Who would have thought that pizza and dumplings could go together? A great way to enjoy the best of both worlds is by stuffing the dumplings with pizza toppings such as:
- Mozzarella
- Pepperoni
- Green peppers
- Mushrooms
- Bacon bits
Top Tip: You can also make mini-sized dumplings to add to the top of your pizza for something different.
How Do You Serve Dumplings as a Meal?
Here’s a look at a few options on how to serve dumplings as a meal:
- Pan-fry the dumplings and serve them on rice with crispy veggies.
- Serve the dumplings on the side with a steaming bowl of ramen.
- Boil the dumplings and lather them with chili or peanut oil. Eat as is.
- Add the dumplings to a hearty broth, such as wonton soup.
In order for you and your guests to enjoy dumplings as a meal and feel satisfied, you’ll need an estimate of around 15 to 20 dumplings per guest.
You can then serve your dumplings separately or place them in a soup or stew.
My Last Foodie Thoughts
Dumplings have it all. They can be healthy and have many nutritional benefits when made with vegetables and lean meats.
They can also be a comfort food when you need something warm and tasty to fill your belly.
Dumplings can satisfy your sweet tooth with their decadent and delicious fillings. They can surprise you with far-out-there combos and be homely when they stick to the basics.
There is a dumpling for every occasion.
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