Cooking Instructions for Trader Joe’s Chicken Soup Dumplings

Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings are a tasty and budget friendly delight that you should keep stocked in your freezer at all times!

These are one of my daughter’s favorite items at Trader Joe’s but, while I agree that they are awesome, they have just missed perfection by leaving out one item!

Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings at Trader Joe's

Calories and Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at what you get with this box of dumplings

Nutrition Facts

You get 6 dumplings per box and the full box is considered a single serving.

The nutritional facts for a single serving are:

  • Calories: 250
  • Fat: 7g (11% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 45mg (15% DV)
  • Sodium: 610mg (25% DV)
  • Carbohydrates: 29g (10% DV)
  • Protein: 16g

Soup Dumpling Nutrition

Ingredient List

The dumplings have the following ingredients:

  • Filling
    • Chicken
    • Water
    • Onion
    • Green onion
    • Soy sauce
    • Ginger
    • Gelatin
    • Sugar
    • Rice wine
    • Sesame oil
    • Soybean oil
    • Salt
    • Yeast extract
    • White pepper
  • Dough
    • Wheat flour
    • Water
    • Tapioca starch
    • Salt
    • Soybean oil

How to Cook

The packaging says to  cook the dumplings you need to:

  • Remove the tray from the box.
  • Cut a slit in one end of the plastic wrap to vent the dumplings.
  • Microwave on High for 1.5-2 minutes.
  • Let stand for 1 minute.
  • Remove the tray from the plastic wrap and enjoy.

I followed these instructions and the dumplings came out perfect!

Ready to Eat Steamed Soup Dumplings

Trader Joe's Soup Dumplings

David
The frozen soup dumplings from Trader Joe's are heated then served with a dipping sauce, race and steamed vegetables.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2
Calories 275 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tray Trader Joe's Soup Dumplings
  • 2 tbsp Teriyaki Sauce for Dipping
  • 2 cups Cooked White Rice
  • 2 cups Steamed Vegetables of Choice

Instructions
 

  • Remove the tray of soup dumplings from the box and cut a slit in the plastic film.
  • Microwave the dumplings on High for two minutes.
  • Allow the dumplings to cool for two minutes before serving.
  • Serve the dumplings with the dipping sauce, rice and vegetables.
Keyword Trader Joe's Soup Dumplings

Taste Test!

The dumplings taste amazing!

Your first bite into the tender dough releases the gelatinous soup so get ready to catch it with a spoon or prepare you mouth for the rush of hot liquid.

The combination of chicken green onion and ginger is spot on and the overall flavor experience is quite savory.

All in all, these soup dumplings are spot on and are a great sub-300 calorie lunch.

Ready to Eat Steamed Soup Dumplings

What is Missing from the Soup Dumplings?

I laughed when I opened the box and saw the tray that was holding the dumplings.  It looks exactly like the tray that Bibigo uses for their steamed dumplings I buy at Costco which makes me suspect that Bibigo is making these dumplings for Trader Joe’s.

The detail in the tray that makes me think this is the two diamonds in the tray that say “Sauce Here”.  When you buy the Bibigo steamed dumplings you get a little sauce packet that you pour into the “Sauce Here” diamonds which then evenly distribute the sauce to the six dumplings.

The Trader Joe’s dumplings do not come with a packet of sauce to pour into the “Sauce Here” diamonds.  Honestly, the dumplings really don’t need any extra sauce but the diamonds made me want some.

What to Serve with the Dumplings

Soup dumplings are served as either a main course or appetizer in Chinese cuisine. Here are some complementary dishes that you can serve with the dumplings to create a well-rounded meal:

Chinese Noodles

Noodles are a staple in Chinese cuisine and can be a perfect side dish to complement soup dumplings. You can serve pan-fried or stir-fried noodles, such as Chow Mein or Lo Mein, alongside the dumplings. They add an additional layer of texture and flavor to your meal.

Steamed Vegetables

Steamed vegetables, such as bok choy, broccoli, or Chinese greens, can be a healthy and refreshing side dish to balance the richness of soup dumplings. They provide a contrasting crunch and freshness to complement the savory and juicy dumplings.

Rice Dishes

Rice is a common staple in Chinese meals and can be served alongside soup dumplings. You can serve steamed jasmine or basmati rice as a simple and neutral side dish that can soak up the flavorful broth from the dumplings.

Dim Sum Platter

If you’re looking to create a more elaborate meal, then you can serve a variety of other dim sum dishes alongside soup dumplings. Dim sum consists of small, bite-sized portions of food, typically served in steamer baskets. Some popular dim sum dishes that pair well with soup dumplings include Shumai (steamed dumplings), Ha Gao (shrimp dumplings), and Char Siu Bao (barbecue pork buns).

Dipping Sauces

Dipping sauces can enhance the flavor of soup dumplings and add an extra layer of taste. Traditional dipping sauces for dumplings include a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. You can also add minced garlic, ginger, or chili paste for added depth and heat.

Bachans’s Japanese BBQ Sauce is one of my favorite dipping sauces to use with these dumplings!

Soup

Since soup dumplings are known for their juicy broth, you can also serve a light soup as a complementary dish. A simple hot and sour soup, egg drop soup, or chicken corn soup can pair well with the dumplings and create a satisfying meal.

How Much do the Dumplings Cost?

My Trader Joe’s is selling the steamed chicken soup dumplings for $2.99 which works out to a cost of about $0.50 per dumpling.  This is quite a bit more expensive than Costco ($0.346 per dumpling) but the Trader Joe’s dumplings are not unreasonably priced and there is a lot to be said for single serving convenience.

Price of Soup Dumplings at Trader Joe's

 

Some Interesting Facts About the Soup Dumplings

I like these dumplings so much that I did a little research to learn more about them.  Here are a few things that might interest you!

Soup Dumplings, also known as Xiao Long Bao, are a traditional Chinese dish that originated in Shanghai. They are typically made with a delicate, thin wrapper filled with minced meat (usually pork), along with a flavorful broth that turns into soup when the dumplings are cooked.

The dumplings are a popular item because they are an easy way to enjoy the authentic taste of Xiao Long Bao at home without having to make them from scratch or head out to an over-priced Chinese restaurant.

Trader Joe’s Soup Dumplings do not contain any MSG (monosodium glutamate) which is a common ingredient found in many Asian foods.  Some people applaud the lack of MSG because they think the ingredient is unhealthy.  Others bemoan the lack of MSG because it means the dumplings do not have the true authentic flavor of Xiao Long Bao

The Soup Dumplings tend to sell out quickly due to their popularity. They are a seasonal item and may not be available year-round in all Trader Joe’s locations. So, if you come across them in your local store, it’s a good idea to grab a couple of boxes and stock up your freezer!

David

Good morning and welcome to the site dedicated to helping you find great products at Costco and other stores! My name is David Somerville and these are hands on reviews of products that I have bought and used or am seriously considering purchasing. I do most of my shopping at the Costco in Baton Rouge, Louisiana but will check out any other Costco warehouses I find while travelling. Please get in touch with any questions and let me know of any great products that deserved to be featured in this blog!

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