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The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Homemade Dumplings for Easy Meals

  • Writer: Up and Down Story
    Up and Down Story
  • Apr 30
  • 4 min read

Updated: May 1


Plate of dumplings garnished with chives, accompanied by soy sauce and chopsticks on a white background, creating a fresh and appetizing look.



Imagine the joy of having homemade dumplings ready at a moment's notice, a convenience that transforms mealtime into a delightful experience. Frozen dumplings are not just a quick fix; they are packed with deliciousness, allowing you to enjoy a warm, comforting meal without the hassle of preparation every time.


A person places dumplings into a pot of boiling soup on a stove. Trays of dumplings and chopped ingredients are on the white countertop.


The Art of Preparing Dumpling Fillings


Ground meat mixed with chopped green onions, carrots, and crumbled white tofu. A hand is blending the colorful ingredients.


The art of preparing dumpling fillings adds to this joy.


By saving time with prepped fillings, you can prepare a large batch in advance, making it easy to freeze them for later use. This way, whenever the craving strikes, you have a variety of fillings ready to go.


Experimenting with different meat and vegetable combinations opens the door to creativity, allowing you to incorporate family traditions and favorite flavors into each batch.




The Dumpling-Wrapping Experience


Hands shaping dumplings with meat filling on a kitchen counter. Steps show moistening, folding, pressing edges, and finished dumpling.


The dumpling-wrapping experience is where the magic truly happens.

Inviting family and friends to join in the dumpling-making process turns what could be a chore into a fun and memorable activity. As laughter fills the air, everyone gets to share in the joy of creating something special together. There are various techniques for sealing dumplings effectively, and personalizing them with creative shapes can make the experience even more enjoyable.


Once the dumplings are wrapped, it’s time for the best part: cooking and enjoying them. Whether you choose to boil, steam, or pan-fry, there are simple methods to ensure they stay delicious and satisfying. This time I am making soup with it .

As you savor the fruits of your labor, the celebration continues around the dinner table, where stories and laughter flow freely.




🛒 Ingredients


- 2 packs of tofu skin (for dumplings)

- 1 pound ground pork

- 1 pound ground beef

- 1 bunch green onions

- 8 ounces of chives

- 1.5 onions

- 2 carrots

- 12 ounces shiitake mushrooms

- Soy sauce

- Garlic

- Ginger

- Sesame oil

- Pepper

- Salt


Tofu, ground pork, ground beef, green onions, Asian chives, soy sauce, and sesame oil with labels on a light background.



📍If you can find tofu specifically made for dumplings, that's the best option. It doesn't have excess moisture, so you won't need to squeeze it out separately. This makes the process more convenient. If you can't find a dumpling tofu, don't worry. You can easily squeeze excess water out of the regular tofu using a cheesecloth.

📍 For ground meat, grass-fed beef patties from Costco are the most affordable and convenient choice



👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe


1. Press the ground beef and ground pork with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This ensures the meat will have a better texture and flavor when cooked.

Ground meat partially covered by a paper towel on a light surface. The towel has a subtle embossed pattern. The setting is simple and neutral.

2. Season the meat: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger (1/3 of the garlic amount), and 1 teaspoon pepper.

3. Heat oil in a pan and cook the seasoned meat until it's halfway done, then let it cool.

4. Chop the green onions and chives by hand, and use a food processor for the rest of the vegetables.


Food processor with carrots, onions, and mushrooms visible inside. A hand presses the "On" button. Silver machine, kitchen setting.
Chop vegetables in a food processor except green onion and chives.

5. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the chopped vegetables by using cheesecloth.


Hands squeeze liquid from a mesh bag over a stainless steel sink. The mesh contains colorful contents.

  1. Meat -- Drain about half of the juices released from the cooked meat. Be careful not to squeeze out too much, as it can make the mixture dry.


    Hands in gloves mixing minced meat and chopped greens in bowls on a kitchen counter. Festive decorations in the background.

  2. In a large bowl, combine the squeezed vegetables, meat, and tofu.



  3. Adjust the seasoning again: 1 teaspoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon pepper, and some sesame oil and salt to taste.

  4.  Use this mixture to fill dumplings, or you can freeze any leftover filling in a zip-lock bag.


Portioned plastic bags filled with a colorful vegetable mixture.

By portioning them like this and freezing, you can easily thaw and make dumplings whenever you want. Pre-shaping and freezing dumplings can take up a lot of space and maintaining their shape during the freezing process can be quite challenging.




📌 Cooking Tips

* You can coat this mixture in egg and make pancakes or use it as a filling for porridge or egg rolls.

* Feel free to add any vegetables you like to the dumpling filling. It’s a great way to clean out the fridge!

* Removing as much moisture as possible is key to enhancing the flavor of the dumplings.

* Moisten the edges of the dumpling wrapper with water before placing the filling on top. This helps them stick better

* Let the dumpling wrappers sit at room temperature beforehand. This way, the dumpling wrappers soften at room temperature, making it much easier to shape the dumplings.

* Cover any formed dumplings with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.


Covering the dumplings with a wet towel on a metal tray with a filling bowl nearby. the





🏡 A well-stocked freezer filled with dumplings is not just a convenience; it’s an invitation to embrace the dumpling-making journey. It reminds us that it’s not only about the food but also about creating lasting memories with loved ones. So gather your family, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the delightful adventure of making and sharing dumplings together!

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