Dumplings are easily one of my top five favorite foods. I am convinced that I could eat 100 in a single sitting. I don’t care if they’re pan fried, deep fried, or boiled. To be honest, I don’t even mind if they’re microwaved. I love every type of dumpling from every part of the world. Needless to say, I was absolutely thrilled to be put in charge of the frozen dumpling taste test.
We tried a ton of different frozen gyoza, potstickers, and dumplings to find the best of the best at the grocery store. While there are hundreds of brands and fillings on the market, we rounded up the most popular, the most accessible, and highest-rated frozen dumplings and then cooked them up in a pan. Here are the ones that may have us saying goodbye to takeout dumplings forever.
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- Trader Joe’s Pork Gyoza Potstickers
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Trader Joe’s Pork Gyoza were the best dumplings we tried. They are so juicy, flavorful, and meaty. They’re gingery and, while super savory, have a hint of sweetness that is really pleasant. After we cooked them, they looked like gyoza you’d get from a restaurant. I would eat an entire bag of these with some black vinegar on any given Friday night and feel extremely happy about it.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Trader Joe’s
- Bibigo Organic Vegetable Dumplings
As someone who grew up not eating meat, I know how sad vegetable dumplings can be. More often than not, they are filled with thin, clear noodles, cabbage, and little else. Bibigo Organic Vegetable Dumplings, however, are filled with so much stuff! They have tofu and veggies and whole pieces of edamame. Not only is the flavor on point, but they are also texturally pleasing. I like these so much, and I buy them in huge bags at Costco. They’re great to pan fry and then drench in sauce or toss into instant ramen.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Instacart
- Tai Pei Chicken Potstickers
These blew the other chicken dumplings out of the water, mostly because they taste like they were made with flavorful dark meat chicken. If a chicken leg dumpling doesn’t sound delicious to you, keep scrolling. But if you’re smart, you think chicken leg dumplings sound incredible and you will be buying these Tai Pei Chicken Potstickers. They’re peppery, savory, and they crisp up nicely when you cook them. Buy these if you’re cutting down on red meat or if you’re a chicken lover in general.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart
- Ling Ling Asian Kitchen Potstickers Pork & Vegetable Potstickers
Of all the dumplings we tried, these taste the most similar to homemade dumplings. You even get a little flour on your fingers when you take the frozen dumplings out of the bag. They crisp up really nicely when you pan-fry them. The little crunchy, lacey bits on the exterior remind me of expertly made dumplings from a dumpling house. While the wrapper is the star, the filling is also incredibly delicious. Plus, they’re perfectly packed with meat and veggies. These are definitely a great option.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde /
- Annie Chun’s Organic Shiitake & Vegetable Potstickers
Other than Bibigo, these Organic Shiitake & Vegetable Potstickers by Annie Chun’s are the only frozen vegetable dumplings that have ever impressed me. I think the addition of mushrooms is so smart because it makes the dumplings taste meaty and adds lots of umami flavor. These have a thinner dumpling wrapper and the filling to wrapper ratio is perfect. I will be buying these again (and again and again).
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Annie Chun’s
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons
Not that a dumpling needs to be cute, but it’s worth noting that Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons are very, very cute and tiny. But don’t let their size fool you—they pack tons of meaty flavor with notes of cilantro and ginger. They cook super quick and I love to toss these into some premade broth or miso soup for a quick and easy wonton soup dinner. You can even add veggies and noodles to make chicken wonton ramen. These are super cheap so you’ll save money by not going to a pricey ramen restaurant. Save restaurant ramen for special occasions and turn to these for your weeknight fix.
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Thai Shrimp Gyoza
I am just as shocked as you are that another Trader Joe’s item is making our list of the best store-bought frozen dumplings. The shrimp in the filling is plump and juicy. They’re chive-forward, which I love in a seafood dumpling. The wrapper is a little pre-browned before you even cook them, which guarantees a nice and crispy bottom. Who doesn’t love a nice and crispy bottom?
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde
Best of the Best
Best Vegetable
Best Chicken
Best Wrapper
Best Vegetable Runner-Up
Best for Soup
Best Seafood
Other Products We Tried: Trader Joe’s Thai Vegetable Gyoza, PF Chang’s Pork Dumplings, PF Changs Chicken Dumplings, Feel Good Veggie Dumplings, Tai Pei Pork Dumplings, Ling Ling Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings, Trader Joe’s Chicken Potstickers
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