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Use these tips to prepare dumplings if you don't have a bamboo steamer
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Steamed dumplings are so delicious, but how can you prepare them at home if you don't have a bamboo steamer or metal basket? Whether you're cooking homemade or frozen dumplings, there are easy ways to steam them in the microwave or on the stove using aluminum foil or chopsticks. You can even steam-fry dumplings in a pan for a crispy bite. Keep reading for our top recommendations for steaming your dumplings for your next meal!

Ways to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer

  • Microwave dumplings for 2 ½ minutes to release trapped steam.
  • Or, lay 2 chopsticks across a water-filled pot and place the dumplings on top of the chopsticks to steam.
  • Alternatively, heat oil in a pan and steam-fry the dumplings until they’re golden brown.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Steaming Dumplings in a Microwave

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  1. Set your dumplings on the flat bottom of a large microwave-safe bowl so they’re spaced out evenly. Then, just pour in enough water to cover the bottom half of the dumplings.[1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Rip off a piece of microwave-safe plastic wrap and pull it tight over the top of the bowl to seal it completely. If you don’t have any plastic wrap at home, find a microwave-safe plate and set it on top of your bowl to trap the steam inside.[2]
    • Avoid using regular plastic wrap in your microwave since it could melt on top of your dumplings.
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  3. Set the bowl in your microwave and let it run for the full time. Most of the water will evaporate and the trapped steam will cook your dumplings through.[3]
    • Frozen dumplings may need to steam for an extra minute to cook all the way through.
    • Tear open one of the dumplings and check if the filling is hot. If it still feels cold, keep heating your dumplings in 30-second increments until they’re warmed through.
    • If you want crispy dumplings, put them onto a pan over medium heat for about 1 minute after you microwave them.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Aluminum Foil or a Wire Rack on the Stove

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Crumple up 3 pieces of aluminum foil so they’re about golf-ball-sized. Set the balls in a pot and pour in 12 inch (1.3 cm) of water into the bottom.[4]
    • The aluminum foil balls create a buffer between the bottom of the pot and a plate with your dumplings. If you don’t have any foil handy, a wire rack will do the trick.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Use a heat-safe ceramic plate that just fits inside of your pot and prop it up on top of the aluminum foil balls.[5] Space your dumplings around the plate so they aren’t touching to help them all cook evenly.[6]
    • If you’re steaming frozen dumplings, they may stick to the plate when you heat them. Line the plate with parchment paper or brush on some cooking oil so you can easily remove your dumplings.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Turn your stove to high heat and set the pot on the burner. Let the water come to a boil before putting the lid on the pot to trap the steam.[7]
    • If you don’t have a lid for your pot, just cover it with another large pan.
    • Condensation can build up on the lid if it doesn’t have a vent, and the water may drip down and make your dumplings soggy. Wrap a towel around the lid to capture the moisture.[8]
  4. Leave your dumplings in the pot without removing the lid so the steam doesn’t escape. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and take your dumplings out to serve them.[9]
    • Frozen dumplings may take an extra minute or two to steam all the way through. Tear one open and check if the filling feels hot to see if they’re ready.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Making a Chopstick Rack

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  1. Use a pot that has a diameter that’s shorter than the chopsticks you’re using. Set the chopsticks on the rim of the pot so they’re about 12 inch (1.3 cm) apart from one another.[10]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    You can use a chopstick rack to cook frozen or fresh dumplings. Balance the dumplings on the 2 chopsticks and space them out so they can steam evenly.[11]
    • You can usually steam around 4–5 dumplings at a time when you balance them on chopsticks.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Put a small amount of water in the bottom of the pot and turn your stove to high heat. Let the water come to a rolling boil so there’s enough steam to cook your dumplings.[12]
    • If you want to make a full meal, boil enough water to make some instant noodles below your dumplings so they cook at the same time.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Place the lid on the pot, making sure it doesn't touch the dumplings. Leave your dumplings in the pot undisturbed while they’re cooking so the steam doesn’t escape from the pot. After 10 minutes, take the dumplings off of the chopsticks and serve them.[13]
    • It’s okay if the lid doesn’t fit tightly over the pot since the steam will still rise up and cook your dumplings.
    • Rip open one of the dumplings and check that the filling feels hot. If you’re making frozen dumplings and they still feel cold, put them back on the chopsticks and leave them to steam for another 1–2 minutes.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Steam-Frying Dumplings in a Pan

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  1. Pour about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of cooking oil into a pan with a lid. Set the pan on the stove burner, and swirl the oil around to coat the pan evenly.[14]
    • You can use any cooking oil that you want for your dumplings.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Add the dumplings to the pan so they’re evenly spaced apart. Leave the dumplings to cook without moving them for at least a minute. Lift and check the bottoms of the dumplings with a spatula to make sure they’re golden brown and crispy before you move on.[15]
    • You can steam-fry dumplings straight from frozen without thawing them beforehand.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    If you’re making fresh dumplings, you only need about 2–3 tablespoons (30–44 ml) of water in your pan. If you’re cooking from frozen, then use enough water to cover the bottom third of the dumplings.[16]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Dumplings Without a Steamer
    Raise the heat on the burner so the water starts to evaporate. As soon as you see steam rising from the water, put the lid on your pan so your dumplings start cooking.[17]
  5. Keep the lid on the pan so you don’t release any of the steam. Fresh dumplings take about 6 minutes to cook, but frozen dumplings will need the full 10 minutes to thaw and cook through.[18]
    • You can always cut one of the dumplings open and peek inside to make sure it’s cooked or that the filling is hot throughout.
  6. Your dumplings have already finished cooking inside, but an extra minute will make the wrappers extra crispy. Set the lid aside and keep heating your dumplings to fry the wrapper. Once the water completely evaporates, take your dumplings out of the pan and serve them up![19]
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Things You’ll Need

Steaming in a Microwave

Using Aluminum Foil or a Wire Rack on the Stove

Making a Chopstick Rack

Steam-Frying Dumplings in a Pan


About This Article

Jennifer Levasseur
Co-authored by:
Personal Chef
This article was co-authored by Jennifer Levasseur and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College. This article has been viewed 84,543 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: October 4, 2024
Views: 84,543
Categories: Asian Cuisine
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 84,543 times.

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