Hey there, dumpling lovers! As someone who’s been obsessing over making the perfect shrimp dumplings at home, I’ve learned that getting the steaming time just right is super important. Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve discovered about nailing that perfect har gow texture that’ll make you feel like a dim sum master!
Quick Answer
For perfectly steamed shrimp dumplings
- Fresh dumplings: 8-10 minutes
- Frozen dumplings: 10-12 minutes
The Complete Steaming Guide
Basic Steaming Times
Let me break this down real simple:
Fresh Shrimp Dumplings:
- Small size: 8 minutes
- Medium size: 9 minutes
- Large size: 10 minutes
Frozen Shrimp Dumplings:
- Small size: 10 minutes
- Medium size: 11 minutes
- Large size: 12 minutes
How to Tell They’re Done
Your dumplings are ready when
- The wrapper becomes translucent
- You can see the pink shrimp through the wrapper
- The wrapper feels slightly chewy, not sticky
- The filling is hot throughout
Pro Tips for Perfect Steaming
Setting Up Your Steamer
- Bring water to a rolling boil before adding dumplings
- Line your steamer with:
- Parchment paper (with holes)
- Cabbage leaves
- Lettuce leaves
- Silicone steamer liners
Spacing Matters!
Here’s a mistake I made when I first started – cramming too many dumplings in the steamer! Don’t do that! Leave about 1/2 inch space between each dumpling. They need room to breathe and cook evenly.
Common Steaming Mistakes to Avoid
- Not using enough water (refill if needed!)
- Opening the lid during steaming
- Overcrowding the steamer basket
- Not preheating the water to boiling
Steaming Methods Comparison
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Bamboo Steamer | – Traditional flavor<br>- Better texture<br>- Can stack multiple layers | – Takes longer<br>- Requires maintenance |
| Metal Steamer | – Heats quickly<br>- Durable | – Can create condensation drips |
| Electric Steamer | – Consistent temperature<br>- Timer function | – Less authentic taste |
Storage and Reheating Tips
Fresh Dumplings
- Can be stored in fridge for 1-2 days
- Cover with damp cloth to prevent drying
- Re-steam for 2-3 minutes when ready to eat
Frozen Dumplings
- Can be stored for up to 3 months
- Steam directly from frozen
- Add 2-3 minutes to normal steaming time
My Favorite Dipping Sauce Recipe
I love serving these with a quick homemade sauce:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp chili oil (optional)
- Chopped scallions
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sticky Wrappers?
- Make sure your steamer liner has holes
- Don’t overcrowd the steamer
- Check water isn’t touching dumplings
Tough Filling?
- Probably overcooked
- Reduce steaming time by 1-2 minutes
- Check water isn’t boiling too vigorously
Final Thoughts
Getting the perfect steamed shrimp dumplings isn’t rocket science but it does need a bit of attention to detail. Trust me, I’ve had my share of fails before getting it right! The key is really in watching that steaming time and making sure you’re not overcrowding your steamer.
Remember, practice makes perfect, and even if they don’t look restaurant-pretty at first, they’ll still taste amazing! Just keep at it, and before you know it, you’ll be making har gow like a pro.
Got any questions about steaming shrimp dumplings? Drop them in the comments below – I’d love to help you out with your dumpling journey! Happy steaming, everyone!
Note: This guide is based on standard-sized dumplings. You might need to adjust times slightly based on your specific recipe and dumpling size.
How do you make shrimp dumplings?
The instructions may seem long, but this recipe is so much easier than you think! Here’s how I do it:
- Peel and devein the shrimp if you didn’t buy it that way. Chop it up. You want to chop it pretty well so that it will hold together inside your dumpling wrappers. The pieces should be about the size of small peas.
- In a small bowl, mix together the seasonings for the filling, stirring so that the sugar dissolves in the liquid and it is all well mixed. Add that to the shrimp in a bowl and stir to mix well. Add the minced bamboo shoots and stir again to incorporate.
- Cover and refrigerate the filling while you make the dough and form the wrappers.
- Boil water.
- Put the dumpling flour and salt in a mixing bowl and stir to mix.
- Add 1 cup of boiling water to the dumpling flour-and-salt mixture and stir to mix. The mixture will become lumpy and half dry/half wet looking. Don’t worry. Just keep mixing. Use your hands, but be careful because it will be hot from the boiling water.
- Once the flour and water are more or less incorporated, add the oil and mix it in.
- Transfer the dough to an unfloured cutting board and knead it until it is smooth and uniform, which will just take a minute or two. It will feel like playdough. Form it into a ball.
- Cut the ball of dough into 4 pieces and stick them in a plastic bag. Let them sit for a few minutes.
- Remove one of the 4 pieces of dough and roll it out (again, on the unfloured board) into a log about 8 inches long. Cut the log in half. Next, cut each half in half again. And one more time, cut each piece in half. You should have 8 small pieces.
- Take one of the small dough pieces and use your fingertips to flatten it into a disk about 1 ½ inches across and about ¼-inch thick.
- Take a sturdy, quart-sized resealable plastic bag and cut it down the sides so that you have two flaps. Oil the insides of the plastic very lightly (I like to spritz a bit of oil on it and then wipe with a paper towel to create a very light film.)
- If using a tortilla press, place the dough disk in between the two flaps of plastic and then press it with the tortilla press. Carefully remove the flattened round of dough and repeat with the remaining 7 pieces. (ultimately you will do this with all 32 pieces. I like to form and fill 8 dumplings at a time).
- If you are not using a tortilla press, you can still use the plastic bag trick only press down with your cleaver, plate, skillet or whatever you are using to flatten your wrappers. The wrapper should be very thin when you are done.
- Spoon filling into the center of each wrapper.
- Using your fingertips, pleat one side of the wrapper to create a crescent shape around the filling. Fold the other side up to meet the pleated side and seal by pressing together with your fingers. Make sure the wrapper is completely sealed.
- Fill a skillet or pot that is wide enough for the basket to sit in or on top of and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium or medium-low to keep the water at a simmer.
- Arrange the filled dumplings in a bamboo steamer that has been lined with a parchment paper or reusable liner, leaving about ½-inch of space between the dumplings. You will need to use several baskets, or cook the dumplings in several batches.
- Once the dumplings are arranged in the basket, cover the basket and set it over the pot with the simmering water. Steam the dumplings for 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Why are har gow perfect for Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is celebrated with parades and lavish feasts meant to usher in a fortuitous year. Har gow (sometimes called Har Gao) are an ideal celebratory food for Lunar New Year celebrations for a couple of reasons.
Dumplings—filled with everything from ground pork to vegetables—symbolize prosperity and wealth.
The word for shrimp in Chinese is very similar to the word for laughter, so shrimp is often served as a symbol of hope for a joyous and happy year.
Put these two ideas together and you get a plump, savory, shrimp dumpling that represents hopes for a prosperous and joyful year! So yeah, Har Gow are perfect for celebrating the lunar new year!
How to Make Steamed Shrimp Dumplings Har Gow 蝦餃
FAQ
How long does it take to steam shrimp dumplings?
Working in batches, add the dumplings and arrange in a single layer, cover and let steam until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
How long does dumpling take to steam?
Place the dumplings in the bamboo steamer without touching each other and cover with the lid. Bring 1 inch of water to a simmer in a skillet that the steamer can hover over. Place the steamer on top and steam for 10 minutes. Serve with tamari or chili oil for dipping.
How long does it take to steam shrimp in a steamer?
How long does it take to re steam dumplings?
Bring water to a gentle boil. Place the dumplings in the steamer basket, lined with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Steam for 5-8 minutes or until heated through. Serve immediately for that just-steamed freshness.