3 Ways to Cook Frozen Dumplings (Mandu)

Make a fast and tasty side dish straight from frozen!

Co-authored by Sporked

Last Updated: October 21, 2024 References

When you're in need of a quick, yet tasty, bite, nothing beats frozen dumplings. You might not be aware of this, but you can easily take this frozen dish to the next level. By learning how to properly boil, steam-fry, or use the microwave to prepare them, you'll make sure your dumplings always taste heavenly.

Boiled Frozen Dumplings (Mandu) at a Glance

Add dumplings to a pot of already boiling water, then pour in 1.5 cups (350 mL) of cold water to stop the boil. Wait for the water to boil again, then pour more cold water in to stop the boil a second time. Wait for the water to boil a third time and check if the dumplings are cooked (they may need 2–3 more minutes).

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Boiling the Dumplings

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1
Boil a pot of water and add the dumplings. Use a large pot and fill it with water so it's two-thirds full. Don't add the dumplings before the water starts boiling. Once you've added the dumplings, stir them quickly so they don't stick to each other.^{[1]
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- If you don't want your dumplings to be mushy, make sure to partially thaw them before boiling. Letting them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes should be enough.
2
Add cold water and wait for it to boil again. Do this right after you've added and stirred the dumplings. If you've filled two-thirds of a large pot, you should add another 1.5 cups (350 mL) of water. Once you've done this, the water in the pot will stop boiling. Make sure you've brought it to a boil again before continuing.^{[2]
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- Adding more water is done to prevent you from undercooking the filling. The filling and the dough in a frozen dumpling usually don't take the same amount of time to cook. By adding cold water, you slow down the cooking process and make sure both parts of the dumpling are cooked perfectly.^{[3]
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3
Add more water and boil it for the third time. Once again, pour 1.5 cups (350 mL) of cold water into the pot. Wait for the water to boil and then check if the dumplings are cooked through. They should be done when they start floating, but if they're not, simply boil them for another 2 to 3 minutes.^{[4]
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- If you want to be sure the dumplings are cooked through, take one out of the pot, cut it in half, and try it.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Steam-Frying the Dumplings

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1
Heat oil in a nonstick pan. Use a large pan since you'll need to arrange the dumplings neatly. Adding 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vegetable oil to the pan should be enough to keep the dumplings from sticking. Heat the oil over moderate heat to avoid burning the dumplings.^{[6]
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- When steam-frying the dumplings, you don't need to limit yourself to vegetable oil. You can use corn oil as well, or any other type of oil you normally use.^{[7]
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2
Add partially thawed dumplings. Before arranging them onto the pan, you should make sure the dumplings aren't completely frozen. Simply let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before you start to prepare them. Arrange the dumplings in a single layer and try to keep them from touching each other.^{[8]
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- If you want the dumplings to have an even crust, fry them for 1 to 2 minutes while swirling the pan.^{[9]
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It's enough to use 0.5 cups (120 mL) of cold water. Once you've done that, cover the pan and let the dumplings cook for 10 minutes. During that time, it's best not to touch them at all.^{[10]
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If you don't want the dumplings to get mushy once you take them out, cook them uncovered until there's no more water in the pan. Swirl the pan while the water is evaporating to give the dumplings a nice crust. The dumplings should now be ready to eat.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Microwaving and Pan-Frying the Dumplings

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Add the dumplings first so you'll know how much water to use. Pour just enough so they're half covered in water. It's best to use cold water with this method.^{[12]
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Cover the bowl and cook the dumplings in the microwave. Make sure to use a microwave-safe plate or lid as a cover. Set the microwave to the highest power and place the covered bowl in it. Cook the dumplings in the microwave for 3 minutes.^{[13]
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- Make sure to partially thaw the dumplings before you put them in the microwave or they might burn.^{[14]
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3
Drain the dumplings and heat oil in a nonstick pan. Once they're out of the microwave, the dumplings should be thoroughly drained. You should also oil a nonstick pan and place it over medium heat. It should be hot when you start frying the dumplings.^{[15]
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- Let the dumplings sit for 15 seconds after microwaving and before frying them. Some of the water from them will evaporate, so when the dumplings come in contact with hot oil, there won't be any splattering.^{[16]
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- If you're not in a rush, you can leave the dumplings to sit overnight. The colder the dumplings, the better the taste after they've been fried.^{[17]
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Arrange the dumplings so they don't touch each other. Swirl the pan until you see the dumplings turning brown. This should start happening in less than a minute and means the dumplings are ready to be served.^{[18]
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Community Q&A

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Which is the best method out of the methods you have given?

Community Answer

There is no absolute "best" method. It's really up to your personal preference. Try all of them and decide which one you like best.

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Tips

Always try to arrange your dumplings so they're not touching each other. This helps them not stick together and makes for more even cooking.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

For the boiling method, instead of using plain water, I like to make a nice broth by seasoning with soup mix/seasoning mix, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, scallion, and soy sauce. I also add dehydrated mushrooms and sometimes even noodles at the end. It makes a nice quick and easy soup the whole family loves!

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Warnings

To avoid hot oil splatter when frying the dumplings, use a large pan.^{[19]
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To minimize the risk of burning yourself while frying the dumplings, pat them dry before placing them onto the pan. When water comes in contact with hot oil, the oil starts to splatter and may burn your skin.^{[20]
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