I Tried the Trader Joe’s Frozen Dumpling Hack All Over TikTok and It’s the Most Brilliant 5-Minute Dinner

Once temperatures start to drop I get an insatiable craving for soup. Brothy, creamy, or blended — it doesn’t matter the type as long as it’s hot. Recently I’ve seen Trader Joe’s soup dumplings pop up all over the internet, with many singing their praises. Though I’ve been curious to try them, it wasn’t until I saw Erin O’Brien’s viral soup dumpling soup recipe on TikTok that my interest was really piqued. Soup dumplings in soup? What could be cozier?

This speedy meal only requires a few ingredients: Trader Joe’s Chicken or Pork Soup Dumplings, chicken broth, soy sauce, sliced scallions, chili crisp, toasted sesame seeds, and, optionally, toasted sesame oil.

To prepare the dumplings, add them to a microwave-safe bowl and cover them with chicken broth. Microwave the dumplings on high for 2 minutes, then season the broth with soy sauce, chili crisp, and sesame oil, and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.

I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor of these frozen soup dumplings, especially the pork version. Their light, gingery broth combined well with the seasoned chicken broth, making for a very savory and satisfying meal. 

If your favorite part of the soup dumplings is the actual soup, you’ll love this hack because you can keep refilling the dumplings with broth as you eat. As a salt-lover, I found the addition of soy sauce necessary, but if you have a particularly salty chicken broth, I’d start by adding a small amount to avoid oversalting. Sliced scallions added a much-needed brightness and pleasant crunch. And though the sesame seeds didn’t add much, they did make the final dish look pretty.

You can easily upgrade this Trader Joe’s dumpling hack with a few simple add-ins. Here are a few I recommend.

1. For a little kick, add in a half-teaspoon or so of freshly grated ginger.
2. If you’re craving leafy greens, try wilting chopped spinach or Swiss chard into your soup once it’s hot.
3. Add a drizzle of zhenjiang vinegar, the rice-based black vinegar often served with Chinese xiaolongbao (soup dumplings). 
4. Upgrade the dish with homemade chicken stock and/or homemade chili crisp.