6 Creative Ways to Make Use of Your Leftover Dumpling Filling

Dumplings and pot stickers are a staple of Chinese cuisine.

They’re also incredibly easy to make, which makes them a great go-to meal for busy nights or lazy Sunday afternoons.

But what happens when you have leftover dumpling dough? Sure, you can use it in another batch of pot stickers, but there are plenty of other ways to use up that last little bit of filling or dough.

Here are some ideas:

How long can you store leftover dumpling filling?

The good news is that the answer is pretty straightforward—you can store it for a while, but you should get it in the fridge as soon as possible.

Dumpling filling tends to be fairly oily, and oil can go rancid over time.

So if you’re going to use up your leftover dumpling filling within a day or two, it’s probably fine to just leave it at room temperature on your countertop.

But if you have some dumpling filling left from a big batch of dumplings that you made months ago, and you want to save it for later use when you’re making more dumplings or some other kind of Chinese dish, then we recommend putting it in the fridge or freezer after you’ve finished making it.

6 ideas for leftover dumpling filling

Cook it in a pan until crispy

The next time you have leftover dumpling filling, don’t throw it away! Instead, cook it in a pan until crispy and use it as an appetizer.

You can also add it to fried rice or salad for extra protein.

If you do this, use the cooking oil from your original recipe to make sure they’re flavorful.

If you’re feeling particularly ambitious and are making dumplings from scratch (which is totally doable!), then this recipe will be perfect for you.

The filling will taste just like what’s inside the ones at your favorite restaurant—and when paired with a little soy sauce and sesame oil? It’s unbeatable!

The best part about this recipe is that it’s super easy to make.

All you have to do is cook the pork in a pan until it’s no longer pink, add the rest of the ingredients, and cook them over medium heat until they’re nice and tender.

Then, simply let them cool down before adding them to your dumpling wrappers.

Make your own potstickers

Making potstickers is a great way to use up your leftover dumpling filling.

The process takes a little longer than making soup or stew, but it’s totally worth the time!

• To make the dough, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1/2 tsp salt in a large bowl.
• Add 1 egg and stir with a fork until well combined.
• Add 1/2 cup water while stirring until you have a messy ball of dough that sticks together when squeezed.
• Let sit for 20 minutes on the countertop before rolling out into thin sheets of dough (about 2mm thick).Use two sheets at once to keep from having to roll out each sheet too much; if they overlap slightly it doesn’t matter much because you’ll trim them later anyway.

Make a dumpling casserole

If you’re left with a few dumpling fillings on the stove after dinner, don’t throw them out! Instead, use them to make a delicious dumpling casserole that you can serve for breakfast or brunch.

The best part is that this recipe doesn’t require any additional ingredients.

You can just add your leftover filling to a baking dish and bake it until hot and bubbly.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (or another nut butter)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

Make wonton soup

Now that you’ve made dumplings, you can use the leftover filling in a variety of ways.

The most obvious solution is to make wonton soup with it.

If you have Chinese celery on hand, add a few stalks (chopped).

If not, try adding some fresh parsley or cilantro stems instead.

You could also substitute bok choy or napa cabbage for celery if desired.

For an extra-spicy kick while keeping things vegan, add 2 teaspoons of chili oil and some thinly sliced fresh ginger (or dried ground ginger) to your broth along with the veggies.*

Add it to fried rice

Fried rice is a meal that can be prepared in a variety of ways.

It’s quick and easy, and it’s also versatile: you can add leftover dumpling filling to fried rice for a savory twist on an old classic.

This recipe will give you more information about what ingredients are necessary for frying your rice, as well as some tips for how to cook it so that it comes out just right every time!

You’ll need:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, beaten in a separate bowl (optional)
• ½ cup shredded carrot or cabbage (optional)  – this adds color to the dish but isn’t necessary if you’re short on time!
• You can add diced tofu or chicken as well if desired!

Wrap it in fresh pasta dough

If you’re someone who gravitates toward a more traditional dumpling experience, this is the way to go.

Simply add some flour to your leftover filling and roll out some fresh dough.

Cut out circles with a cookie cutter or freehand with a knife and place one spoonful of filling in the center.

Fold over and seal shut, then boil for a few minutes until they float!

This method works great for any kind of dumpling—pot stickers, wontons, jiaozi (Chinese dumplings), or gyoza (Japanese potstickers).

Of course, there’s no right way to make dumplings and everyone has their own favorite method.

If you’re looking for a new take on this classic dish and want to try something different, give these vegan dumplings a shot! They’re easy to make and so delicious that even meat eaters will be asking for seconds.

Conclusion

We hope that we’ve inspired you to experiment with your leftover dumpling fillings.

As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, dumplings are one of those foods that lend themselves so well to leftovers.

So go ahead and get creative with what you can do with them!