If you love dumplings, chances are you tend to make your own. But if you are a beginner, you might have many questions in your mind. One of the most common questions is can uncooked dumplings be stored in the fridge.
If you are a seasoned cook alike, this might not bother you. But again, if this is your first time to make this recipe, then you might wonder whether it is safe.
So, can you store uncooked dumplings in the fridge? Unfortunately, you cannot and should not refrigerate uncooked dumplings. This is because the dumpling fillings will become moist. When this happens, the skin of the dumplings tends to become soggy. Trust me, you don’t like it.
If the uncooked dumplings stay in the refrigerator for another day, they will get stuck to each other and to their container. They tend to deform especially if they have thin skins.
Many people encountered this problem. They had no idea why their uncooked dumplings got soggy in the refrigerator. Needless to say that you should avoid refrigerating an uncooked dumpling. The best way to go is to freeze them.
How to Store Uncooked Dumplings?
As mentioned, uncooked dumplings should not be refrigerated. The best thing you can do to store fresh dumplings is by freezing them. This is a good idea especially if you are making dumplings ahead of time for dinner.
Freezing fresh dumplings is simple. What you need to do is to put parchment or wax paper on the pan or container first before you set the dumplings. This is to prevent the dumplings to stick to the pan.
With a lined parchment, dumplings will not stick to the pan. They will be easily retrieved from the pan before cooking.
Another thing to remember is that when feeding dumplings, do not use glass containers when freezing dumplings. Freeze dumplings tend to stick to the glass container making them very difficult to remove. If you use a glass container, make sure to line a parchment paper first before setting the fresh dumplings.
Also, make sure to give space between each dumpling. Each piece should not touch one another to avoid losing its shape.
When placing the pan in the freezer, make sure that all sides of the pan sit equally in the freezer. This is to avoid each piece from sliding which will in turn cause sticking.
How Long Can You Freeze Uncooked Dumplings?
The best thing about dumplings is that you can store them in the freezer long enough for future cooking. In fact, you can store dumplings in the freezer for about 3 t0 6 months. But the whole duration may be arbitrary depending on the factors that influence the shelf life of the dumplings.
One of the determining factors is the ingredients. The type of vegetables and meat products being used can affect their shelf life. This is because, as you know, when pork, chicken, beef, and vegetables are mixed together, the dumplings tend to get freezer burn quickly. This is one of the reasons why uncooked meat dumplings can only last for about 2 to 3 months. Cooked dumplings will last a bit longer for about 3 to 4 months.
The other factor that determines the shelf life of the dumplings is the source. Bought and homemade dumplings differ in terms of freezing duration. For instance, if you bought them from a store, it will be difficult to determine how long the dumplings should be stored in the freezer. So when you buy them, it will not be long before they could turn bad.
I recommend that you look for the expiration date on the packaging to have a good idea of how long should dumplings be stored in the freezer. The problem is that not all dumplings come with packaging that has an expiry date printed on it.
The homemade dumplings tend to have a longer shelf life due to the fresh ingredients you used. In addition, you know that everything is clean and fresh so there’s nothing to worry about. As a result, the homemade dumplings often last for about 6 months.
Do You Need to Defrost Dumplings Before Cooking Them?
Unlike other frozen foods, you do not need to defrost dumplings before cooking them. The reason being is that defrosting will only turn the dumplings soggy and basically lose their shape. This is due mainly to the melted crystals.
What you can do instead is to cook the frozen dumplings immediately as you get them out of the freezer. If you are making wontons, cook the dumplings straight into the boiling water. Or, if you are making potstickers, you can just directly put the dumplings on the hot pan.
The only thing that you’ll notice when cooking dumplings this way is that they tend to cook longer. In my experience, there is an extra minute or two longer than usual cooking time. But this is perfectly normal and not something you should worry about.
Final Thoughts
Storing uncooked dumplings can be easy. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can be daunting. When stored incorrectly, the dumpling won’t last long.
That said, you need to be careful. For better results, avoid refrigerating uncooked dumplings. Instead, freeze them. This way, dumplings can last for 3 to 6 months.
Also, it is better to make your own dumplings than buying them. This is because when you make your own, you are sure of the quality and freshness of the ingredients.
I hope this helps. Thank you for reading.
Related Questions
How long do cooked dumplings last in the fridge?
If you have leftover dumplings, you might be wondering how long can it last in the fridge. The answer is cooked dumplings can last up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to consume them within that time period.
Can you freeze dumpling dough?
Yes, you can freeze dumpling dough. In fact, it is a common practice in preserving dumpling dough.
Can you freeze dumpling filling?
Yes, you can freeze dumpling fillings. Just put them in the sealed plastic bag and you are good to go. You can get and cook them for quick meals later.
