Perfect on their own or paired with rice or noodles
Despite the title of this column, sometimes the last thing that I want to do is cook.
The allure of fast food is strong, and I feel at times that I need to meet in the middle: the joys of frozen meals. Quick, usually pretty good, and accessible. The perfect combination for a college student who either doesn’t want to cook or just wants some quick food between classes or homework they are procrastinating on.
While I am always a big fan of the classics — a hot pocket, chicken nuggets — I have found that the food from Trader Joe’s is supreme. While Pullman does not have its own store, Spokane is just a quick hop away, and after a weekend home, it’s a great place to stock up.
Let me introduce you to the Pork Shu Mai.
Shu Mai is a type of traditional Chinese dumpling, an iconic staple in the southern provinces of Guangdong and Guangxi, along with other scattered areas in East Asia and Southeast Asia. I am a simple guy; almost with no exception, dumplings are the superior food. And the Shu Mai, or Shumai, is no different.
I cannot speak to the authenticity of the Trader Joe’s version, but the flavor is great. Whether you cook them in the microwave or a steamer, the dumplings manage to stay moist and flavorful.
While I would not recommend it, the Shu Mai can be eaten on its own, with a nice ginger and rich pork flavor. I would recommend serving it alongside some sauce and rice to get the full experience.
Trader Joe’s hit a big win with these pork dumplings, and if you have the opportunity, you should grab a handful. This frozen meal hits all the highlights of being easy to make and even easier to eat, adding some delicious flavor without having to go through hours of cooking. When you are not feeling up to cooking on a day, choose Trader Joe’s Pork Shu Mai instead.
Hope you enjoy it!
Cooking the Shu Mai
- Serving Size: 5 dumplings (2 servings per box)
- Place dumplings in a bowl
- Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for three minutes or until hot
- To steam, fill a steamer with water and bring to boil
- Steam for 12 minutes or until hot
- A personal favorite is to air fry the dumplings
- Rinse Shu Mai in warm water
- Place in air fryer and turn to around 375 or 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Cook for 2–3 minutes or until crispy
Dishes/Sides to Prepare Shu Mai With
- Long noodles with a thick sauce would be delicious with the Shu Mai
- White or brown rice, depending on preference, is a perfect pairing
- Please, please, please include a sauce with it
Enjoy!
If there is a particular frozen food that you can’t get enough of, share it using the hashtag #cookingwithcarson
FAQs
Otherwise, you can prep them the easy way, using the microwavable tray in which they're packaged. Two minutes or less in your microwave oven yields soft, hot, incredibly flavorful results.
How to heat up Trader Joe's pork dumplings? ›
Otherwise, you can prep them the easy way, using the microwavable tray in which they're packaged. Two minutes or less in your microwave oven yields soft, hot, incredibly flavorful results.
How do you cook frozen pork Shu Mai? ›
Steam the frozen shumai without defrosting or thawing. After bringing the water to a boil, steam until completely cooked through, 15 minutes or so.
How to spice up Trader Joe's dumplings? ›
You can easily upgrade this Trader Joe's dumpling hack with a few simple add-ins. Here are a few I recommend. For a little kick, add in a half-teaspoon or so of freshly grated ginger. If you're craving leafy greens, try wilting chopped spinach or Swiss chard into your soup once it's hot.
Can you air fry Trader Joe's pork dumplings? ›
Make an easy appetizer or snack with your favorite frozen potstickers, gyoza, or dumplings. In a few minutes they are hot & crispy for the best air fried frozen potstickers. Air fryer is fast & quick for Trader Joe's, Ling Ling, & PF Changs potstickers. No preheat just set to air fry.
How to make Trader Joe's dumplings crispy? ›
Spray the air fryer with olive oil spray and place the trader joe's gyoza into the air fryer basket in a single layer, not touching. Air fry for 7 minutes. Flip, continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until cooked through and golden brown.
Are Trader Joe's pork dumplings precooked? ›
Trader Joe's frozen potstickers are fully cooked and ready to heat and serve. Included are instructions for Pan fry, steam and microwave.
How long do you microwave Trader Joe's dumplings? ›
Microwave the soup dumplings & broth for 2 min and add some toppings!! #traderjoes #traderjoesfinds #traderjoesrecipe #soupdumplings #soupseason.
How long to microwave shumai? ›
Transfer your desired number of dumplings to a shallow bowl or microwave-safe dish. Add 1-2 TBS of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 3-4 minutes.
Can you pan fry frozen shumai? ›
Pan fry method
Heat the oil in the non-stick frying pan over a medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Carefully place the frozen dumplings in a single layer in the hot frying pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the bottom of the dumplings are golden brown. Turn once and cook on another side for another minute.
Cover with the lid and then steam on high until the dumplings are cooked through the center, about 10 minutes. If you're not sure the dumplings are fully cooked, take the largest dumpling you see and cut through the center to check. Continue to steam all the shumai and then it's time to enjoy your labors.
How do you heat shumai? ›
You can reheat them by steaming or microwaving for a couple of minutes straight from the freezer. If you're microwaving, add a couple tablespoons of water to the shumai and then cover with plastic wrap before microwaving. This helps preserve moisture by mimicking the steaming process.
How do you microwave Trader Joe's pork soup dumplings? ›
Add some frozen dumplings to a bowl, pour in enough chicken (or veggie or another) broth to cover the dumplings, and microwave for two minutes. Most creators also opt to add a splash of soy sauce, a little chili crisp or Sriracha, and garnish with some sliced scallions and sesame seeds. That's it.
How do you steam frozen shumai in the microwave? ›
Microwave method
Place frozen dumplings in a microwave safe container. Add enough water so that it covers the dumplings by half or 2/3. Cover and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through. Drain the remaining water.
