Hi! My name is Lina! After an exhausting and dispiriting weekday dinner, I came across a bag of frozen dumplings in my freezer that inspired this easy yet flavor-filled crispy dumpling salad–a quick, crunchy dish loaded with veggies tossed with an aromatic sesame dressing. From that one discovery came this delicious treat that has since become one of our family favorites; from adding extra veggies or tossing with tofu it makes a fantastic easy yet flavor-rich way of turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary–something deliciously fun yet full-flavorous just like food should be!
Table of Contents
Crispy Dumpling Salad: The 15-Minute Dinner You’ll Love
My Crispy Dumpling Salad Story
A joyous freezer rescue
Hi, I’m Lina Vexley! The other night, as I stood on my refrigerator with an hungry toddler on my hips, I noticed an old bags of frozen dumplings tucked away in the peas. Then the idea came to me the idea of turning them into something new and exciting? It’s a great idea! Crispy Dumpling Salad was born out of the moment, and is now a staple of our menu rotation for the week.
In every bite of crunchy goodness, love.
There’s something magical about crisp dumplings topped with cool, crunchy vegetables. It’s as if your taste buds have an event. The sweet-salty dressing sticks to every bite and the peanuts provide the perfect, nutty taste. The best part is that it’s extremely adaptable and makes the most of the ingredients already in your refrigerator.
Naturally the Crispy Dumpling Salad was a staple for lunchtime dates with my mom, or quick weeknight meals together with our husband. The dumplings are cooked in a pan until golden and the whole dish comes together in a matter of minutes. Every time I cook it, I think about how an ordinary weeknight meal became a tasty treat–and now, I’m hoping it will become a tradition at home, too.
Print
Crispy Dumpling Salad: Quick 15-Minute Dinner with Big Flavor
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This crispy dumpling salad is a fast, flavor-packed dish made with pan-fried dumplings, crunchy veggies, and a bold sesame-soy dressing. Ready in 15 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
¼ Cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
3 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Oil
2 Cloves Garlic, mashed
2 Teaspoons Freshly Grated Ginger (or 1 tsp ground ginger)
1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
1 Tablespoon Coconut Sugar
1 Teaspoon Chili Crisp or Salsa Macha
2 Green Onions, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons Cilantro, finely chopped
For the Salad:
3 Cups Napa Cabbage, finely chopped
2 Persian Cucumbers, finely diced
¼ Cup Purple Onion, finely sliced
2 Green Onions, finely sliced
¼ Cup Cilantro, chopped
¾ Cup Baby Tomatoes, halved
⅓ Cup Roasted Peanuts, chopped
16 Frozen Dumplings
Instructions
Pan-fry frozen dumplings according to package instructions until crispy. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until combined. Add water to thin if needed.
In a large salad bowl, add chopped napa cabbage, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, and cilantro.
Add crispy dumplings on top of the salad.
Drizzle dressing over the salad and dumplings. Toss gently to coat.
Top with chopped roasted peanuts, serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, serve dumplings immediately after crisping.
Use air-fried dumplings as a healthier alternative.
Keep salad and dressing separate if making ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: American
Building the Perfect Crispy Dumpling Salad
Simple ingredients, bold results
What is what makes this Crispy Dumpling Salad shine is the inclusion of pantry staples that are commonly used. As the base, we’ll use the finely cut napa cabbage to add crunchy crunch. We also use baby tomatoes to provide sweetness as well as Persian cucumbers for their freshness. Include a purple onion and a cilantro for a zing of herby. The salad is even better by adding roasted peanuts and pan-fried dumplings atop.
The dumplings are what you will find the most popular in this recipe. You can use whatever frozen variety you have. Pork, chicken, vegetable – it can all work. Simply cook them according to the directions on the packet and make sure that they’re pan-fried until crispy.
The dress that ties everything together
This dressing packs packed with umami. Soy sauce with low sodium (or coconut aminos) and rice vinegar toasted sesame oil and garlic, freshly-cut ginger and a hint of chili crisp give a strong spicy tangy salty flavor. Coconut sugar softens the sting while finely chopped green onion and cilantro add a vibrant flavor.
Mix everything together, or put it in an jar for convenience. Do you want it to be to be thinner? Simply add a splash water. It can also be used as an amazing marinade to grill or cook your own vegetables.
How to Make Crispy Dumpling Salad (Step-by-Step)
Cook and crisp the dumplings
Start with the 16 frozen dumplings you like. In a non-stick pan, heat the dumplings over moderate heat, add a little oil then cook your dumplings till crispy and golden brown all sides. This is the part that makes this Crispy Dumpling Salad delicious. You’re craving the crunch.
Chop and whisk, mix, and toss
in a bowl large enough, mix together:
- Three cups of napa chopped cabbage
- 2 cubes Persian cucumbers
- 1/4 cup of thinly sliced purple onion
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro chopped
- 3/4 cup baby tomatoes halved
- 1/3 cup chopped roast peanuts
Add your crisp dumplings. Serve the salad dressing to everything, then mix gently to cover. Add more peanuts, if you like.
This recipe is great even with leftovers. You can also swap dumplings for crispy tofu or Rotisserie chicken to give you a different flavors.
Variations and Serving Ideas
Create it as your own
This Crispy Dumpling Salad is a great recipe for endless adaptation. Do you want more protein? Include edamame, or cooked shrimp. Do you want to stay gluten-free? Make use of coconut aminos and gluten-free dumplings. For a low-carb spin switch out the cabbage for spiralized zucchini.
You can also go for a spicy flavor by adding extra chili crisps or soften it by adding avocado slices that are creamy.
How and when to serve
It is ideally eaten fresh, but it can be stored for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator. Make sure to separate the dressing if you are meal-prepping. It’s an excellent light meal, a hearty lunch or platter for a party (just double the amount! ).
Serve it chilled or at room temperature. It is a great food item that can be transported easily and is an excellent crowd-pleaser.
Conclusion
This Crispy Dumpling Salad shows that something isn’t just a viral thing can be nutritious easy, quick and unforgettable. Simple ingredients, vibrant flavor, and an exciting variation on the staples of the freezer It’s now one of my favorite recipes. If you’re hosting a party or just need a quick lunch idea this is the salad that ticks all of the right boxes.
FAQ
Do I have to make use of air-fried dumplings for an incredibly crispy dumpling salad?
Absolutely. Air-fried dumplings can be a fantastic substitute for pan-frying. Simply cook until golden before slicing them into the pan as you would normally.
Which dressing is best paired with a delicious dumpling salad?
A soy-sesame dressing made with garlic, ginger rice vinegar, chili crisp is perfect for balancing sweet, tangy and spiced notes.
What can keep the dumplings crisp in salads?
Add them shortly before serving. If you let them sit for too long in the dressing can make them softer.
Can I prepare this delicious dumpling salad in advance?
Yes! Prepare all the ingredients in separate portions. The salad and dressing can be stored separately, and then put them together right before eating to get the maximum crunch.